Ho Ho bloody ho...
Discussion
I am struck at how rubbish Christmans seems to be in Britain these days...
I am not coming over all spiritual on you here, but it does strike me that Christmans these days in the UK is purely and simply a commercial venture.
Conspicuous consumption is the sole purpose of Crimbo in this country.
I notice this because it is NOT quite the same in other countries. They have a different balance, in that other countries in Europe still respect cultural traditions and have plenty of festivals and special occassions where everyone gets involved, and everyone embraces their community and their friends.
In contrast, millions of Brits don't get any more in touch with their community and fellow man than watching a broadcast from a hospital on their christmas morning TV...
It just seems different. And the German, Swedish, Italians and other nationalities seem to have a better balance at Christmas time than we do.
Interestingly, these same people cannot understand just how materialistic the UK is at Christmas.
Its quite a surprise to them. And they don't spend nearly as much money on gifts. For them, its meeting people that matters the most....
Maybe we can learn from this..
I am not coming over all spiritual on you here, but it does strike me that Christmans these days in the UK is purely and simply a commercial venture.
Conspicuous consumption is the sole purpose of Crimbo in this country.
I notice this because it is NOT quite the same in other countries. They have a different balance, in that other countries in Europe still respect cultural traditions and have plenty of festivals and special occassions where everyone gets involved, and everyone embraces their community and their friends.
In contrast, millions of Brits don't get any more in touch with their community and fellow man than watching a broadcast from a hospital on their christmas morning TV...
It just seems different. And the German, Swedish, Italians and other nationalities seem to have a better balance at Christmas time than we do.
Interestingly, these same people cannot understand just how materialistic the UK is at Christmas.
Its quite a surprise to them. And they don't spend nearly as much money on gifts. For them, its meeting people that matters the most....
Maybe we can learn from this..
It makes you wonder though, why while the Brits are spending money they don't have on stuff people don't want, other cultures around the world are simply using christmas as a chance to catch up with people they miss to have a yarn and bit of a laugh...
The money thing just ain't so important.
Which is a roundabout way of saying that I'm going to be a scrooge this year and give everyone a crap present...
Christmas, like anything, is in the eye of the beholder. Yes, there is a load of rubbish around, but in a consumer society you take what you want.
Problem with Christmas is that taste guards are dropped and after a while everyone gets disillusioned with it. Take my advice - keep your taste filter up! Have a look over my Christmas-themed posts and you'll see what I mean. Go shopping in November to avoid the December tat - even for food (as much as you can), don't watch ITV trash, don't buy tacky plastic decorations, buy things that mean something to you, and don't for Pete's sake buy naff presents - they're supposed to be a joke but everyone'll hate you really.
People have a go at me for being a snob, but I'm sorry, if people start hating Christmas simply because of the way some companies present it, they're not doing it right!
Problem with Christmas is that taste guards are dropped and after a while everyone gets disillusioned with it. Take my advice - keep your taste filter up! Have a look over my Christmas-themed posts and you'll see what I mean. Go shopping in November to avoid the December tat - even for food (as much as you can), don't watch ITV trash, don't buy tacky plastic decorations, buy things that mean something to you, and don't for Pete's sake buy naff presents - they're supposed to be a joke but everyone'll hate you really.
People have a go at me for being a snob, but I'm sorry, if people start hating Christmas simply because of the way some companies present it, they're not doing it right!
toppstuff said:
I am struck at how rubbish Christmans seems to be in Britain these days...
I am not coming over all spiritual on you here, but it does strike me that Christmans these days in the UK is purely and simply a commercial venture.
Conspicuous consumption is the sole purpose of Crimbo in this country.
I notice this because it is NOT quite the same in other countries. They have a different balance, in that other countries in Europe still respect cultural traditions and have plenty of festivals and special occassions where everyone gets involved, and everyone embraces their community and their friends.
In contrast, millions of Brits don't get any more in touch with their community and fellow man than watching a broadcast from a hospital on their christmas morning TV...
It just seems different. And the German, Swedish, Italians and other nationalities seem to have a better balance at Christmas time than we do.
Interestingly, these same people cannot understand just how materialistic the UK is at Christmas.
Its quite a surprise to them. And they don't spend nearly as much money on gifts. For them, its meeting people that matters the most....
Maybe we can learn from this..
Are you trying to say that other countries seem to have a balance between the religous background of Christmas and the current trend of having either a Winter Solstice Festival or another excuse to drive up the stock price of the Eveready Battery Corp????
I see it here in the US, even with the rest of the world thinking that the population here are a bunch of Bible-thumping loons.
Dave
mybrainhurts said:
Which is a roundabout way of saying that I'm going to be a scrooge this year and give everyone a crap present...
Like this?............
Oh no...like this surely?
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=140747&f=141&h=0
I suggested to Mrs Sparky a few weeks ago that this year we write to all the people on our Christmas list (about 20). We should and tell them that this year instead of a prezzy and to embrace the spirit of Christmas, we would give £30 to a charity of their choice. That would be £600 to charity.
Now if each of those 20 people had 20 people on their christmas list and did the same - that would be £12,000 to good charitable causes. Imagine what good that sort of money could do and what a nice warm feeling you would get having done something good for one's fellow man.
Her considered reply was " You really are a git. You'll do anything to get out of shopping!"
Christmas, What's it all about - I give in
>> Edited by sparkythecat on Thursday 16th December 00:22
Now if each of those 20 people had 20 people on their christmas list and did the same - that would be £12,000 to good charitable causes. Imagine what good that sort of money could do and what a nice warm feeling you would get having done something good for one's fellow man.
Her considered reply was " You really are a git. You'll do anything to get out of shopping!"
Christmas, What's it all about - I give in
>> Edited by sparkythecat on Thursday 16th December 00:22
Hear furgling hear.
As if the general mood wasn't bad enough, try having a look around Toys'R'Ipoff.
I had to endure the place last weekend whilst searching for stuff for the nephew and neices.
I can honestly say that I've never seen such a blatant commercial ripoff* as the plastic, cloth and cardboard tat that kids toys have become - even since my own daughter required the products of said shop.
SEVENTEEN quid for a Barbie doll, FFS.
Durability zilch, lifespan all weekend, ability to keep kid occupied &/or entertained 4/10, accessories up the vacuum by New Year's Eve.
Plenty of varieties of tat: dolls for him and her, figures (aka dolls) in a range of styles from dinosaurs to wrestlers, warriors to... well, more warriors.
Radio-control cars that cost almost as much as a real one (didn't they always?), computerised cack that will be obsolete and unwanted by Easter.
Bicycles made in China. God rest another of Britain's leading industries, then.
I did note that the products least represented seemed to be those that required any dexterity or an attention span longer than the proverbial goldfish: to wit, craft toys and model kits. As a kid, I couldn't wait for my Xmas sack full of Airfix, LS and Hasegawa. I didn't even SEE any bloody Airfix kits in there! Fair enough if they're relegated to the specialist model shop, but what if you don't have one of those nearby? You'll be getting the kids a Radio-Control Teenage Action-Ninja PowerBarbie Rock'n'Glam Karaoke PlayCube, then.
*Not since tellies cost three grand, anyway
As if the general mood wasn't bad enough, try having a look around Toys'R'Ipoff.
I had to endure the place last weekend whilst searching for stuff for the nephew and neices.
I can honestly say that I've never seen such a blatant commercial ripoff* as the plastic, cloth and cardboard tat that kids toys have become - even since my own daughter required the products of said shop.
SEVENTEEN quid for a Barbie doll, FFS.
Durability zilch, lifespan all weekend, ability to keep kid occupied &/or entertained 4/10, accessories up the vacuum by New Year's Eve.
Plenty of varieties of tat: dolls for him and her, figures (aka dolls) in a range of styles from dinosaurs to wrestlers, warriors to... well, more warriors.
Radio-control cars that cost almost as much as a real one (didn't they always?), computerised cack that will be obsolete and unwanted by Easter.
Bicycles made in China. God rest another of Britain's leading industries, then.
I did note that the products least represented seemed to be those that required any dexterity or an attention span longer than the proverbial goldfish: to wit, craft toys and model kits. As a kid, I couldn't wait for my Xmas sack full of Airfix, LS and Hasegawa. I didn't even SEE any bloody Airfix kits in there! Fair enough if they're relegated to the specialist model shop, but what if you don't have one of those nearby? You'll be getting the kids a Radio-Control Teenage Action-Ninja PowerBarbie Rock'n'Glam Karaoke PlayCube, then.
*Not since tellies cost three grand, anyway
sparkythecat said:
I suggested to Mrs Sparky a few weeks ago that this year we write to all the people on our Christmas list (about 20). We should and tell them that this year instead of a prezzy and to embrace the spirit of Christmas, we would give £30 to a charity of their choice. That would be £600 to charity.
Now if each of those 20 people had 20 people on their christmas list and did the same - that would be £12,000 to good charitable causes. Imagine what good that sort of money could do and what a nice warm feeling you would get having done something good for one's fellow man.
Top idea. I said to my dad on Sunday that it really didn't feel like Christmas. He said "That's because you're getting old." I am fed up of all the commercial hype. People have forgotten what it is all about - Jesus? Who?!!
...yes, yes, yes
However,
Christmas morn my little ones, her five and him three, will bound down the stairs with that special twinkle in their eyes, knowingly, because Mama and Daddy insisted that Father Christmas was going to visit them the night before. She will find her "Same size as me" Barbie (about 4 feet tall, dressed in a princess outfit naturally), he will find his Corgi Batmobile (can't believe they re-released this as I had one that was identical to it when I was a little one) and they will proceed through the rest of their presents with the energy and focus akin to Becks and Posh at the local Burberry outlet, all the while giggling and shouting to all what great presents Father Christmas brought...
...when, finally, they are satiated and they look up still all aglow, I shall survey the battlefield of ribbons and discarded wrapping paper, the glittering tree and the half eaten cookies and half glass of milk left by these self same tykes for Father Christmas just hours ago...
...and I will smile, because I will know...
...that they fell for the world's oldest con and that I still have the ability to successfully lie to my children
===
Seriously folks - Christmas is what you make of it - not what other people make of it for you. If you want a gathering of friends or family - make it happen. Have you called anybody? Have you offered to host some social affair?
Charitable donations to faceless persons aside (and very noble that is, but a bit too easy in this day and age), have you taken the time to be kind and just say "thank you" to a colleague, a relative, a brother or a sister?
It's not the receiving, it's the reason for the giving that matters...
Cheers
ErnestM
However,
Christmas morn my little ones, her five and him three, will bound down the stairs with that special twinkle in their eyes, knowingly, because Mama and Daddy insisted that Father Christmas was going to visit them the night before. She will find her "Same size as me" Barbie (about 4 feet tall, dressed in a princess outfit naturally), he will find his Corgi Batmobile (can't believe they re-released this as I had one that was identical to it when I was a little one) and they will proceed through the rest of their presents with the energy and focus akin to Becks and Posh at the local Burberry outlet, all the while giggling and shouting to all what great presents Father Christmas brought...
...when, finally, they are satiated and they look up still all aglow, I shall survey the battlefield of ribbons and discarded wrapping paper, the glittering tree and the half eaten cookies and half glass of milk left by these self same tykes for Father Christmas just hours ago...
...and I will smile, because I will know...
...that they fell for the world's oldest con and that I still have the ability to successfully lie to my children
===
Seriously folks - Christmas is what you make of it - not what other people make of it for you. If you want a gathering of friends or family - make it happen. Have you called anybody? Have you offered to host some social affair?
Charitable donations to faceless persons aside (and very noble that is, but a bit too easy in this day and age), have you taken the time to be kind and just say "thank you" to a colleague, a relative, a brother or a sister?
a wise man once said:
It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness
It's not the receiving, it's the reason for the giving that matters...
Cheers
ErnestM
v8thunder said:
Go shopping in November to avoid the December tat - !
You've obviously not been over the herring pond recently then? The septics and now even the canucks are starting End October/beginning November with the reindeer and santa thingy....really tat!
Keep Christmas a family fest and a time for catching up with those you love and appreciate, and mates you haven't spoken to for a year 'cos they're halfway around the world.....
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
toppstuff said:
I am struck at how rubbish Christmans seems to be in Britain these days...
I am not coming over all spiritual on you here, but it does strike me that Christmans these days in the UK is purely and simply a commercial venture.
Conspicuous consumption is the sole purpose of Crimbo in this country.
......
Maybe we can learn from this..
Maybe we can learn that Christmas is nothing to do with Jesus Christ.
Ancient peoples celebrated this time of year and spent weeks eating and drinking themselves silly in order to cheer themselves up during the dark, depressing winter. Also, the crops had been harvested and there was very little work required so they had plenty of time to fill.
The Christians wanted to eradicate Pagan beliefs to pacify their "invisible friend" and so simply stole the Winter festival.
I celebrate the real Christmas which is all about fun and excessive consumption.
hohoho.
lunarscope said:
Ancient peoples celebrated this time of year and spent weeks eating and drinking themselves silly in order to cheer themselves up during the dark, depressing winter. Also, the crops had been harvested and there was very little work required so they had plenty of time to fill.
I celebrate the real Christmas which is all about fun and excessive consumption.
hohoho.
[Homer] God bless those pagans [/Homer]
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