I got interviewed for the radio yesterday.

[Arch]

Maybe it's just me and my family, but I let the hype wash over me, and we don't go in for stupidly expensive presents and the like. It's within everyone to make that choice, surely...

 

[Globalti]

The Victorians invented Christmas, the same as they invented kilts and several other "traditional" icons.

Tip: cook your legs and breast separately; the breast needs much less time and can be eaten pink, so it won't be overcooked and dry. The leg needs longer.

 

[Nortones2]

Well, maybe you need to find someone who can cook a better roast dinner? I love a full on roast bird (chicken probably nicer than turkey, TBH, and I've never had goose, so I don't know about that), potatoes, veg, sausages, stuffing, gravy and all.

We had goose once: on carving found that the bird had been fed on fish Exit Old Man to the mess, in a big grump. Serves him right for buying it on the market. In Asia BTW. Round our way, there is the flashing Xmas lights phenomenon. Some people like to live the trailer trash dream, which I think comes from the wrong side of the pond....

 

[snorri]

What really gets me is the non stop playing of W*nking In A Winter Wonderland in supermarkets and DIY stores, the relentless psychopropaganda in all the media and the fact that the whole thing seems to begin in October.

This is not the same UK that I am living in.
I have not heard any "seasonal" tunes in shops this year (so far!) and although the media have over done it on occasion in the past they seem to have learned a lesson and coverage seems perfectly acceptable to me this year.

 

[redcogs]

Completely agree Andy - we must both share a puritanical streak.

i wouldn't go as far as Oliver did and ban xmas, but i would make an event to be celebrated only once every five years. The main problem is commercialisation and glitz. Giving and receiving is great, but the artificial stimulation of this normal human impulse by the retail industry is an abomination.

 

[Arch]

Completely agree Andy - we must both share a puritanical streak.

i wouldn't go as far as Oliver did and ban xmas, but i would make an event to be celebrated only once every five years. The main problem is commercialisation and glitz. Giving and receiving is great, but the artificial stimulation of this normal human impulse by the retail industry is an abomination.

So, refuse to be stimulated. It is possible to be restrained (especially when you don't have much money, and don't intend to get into debt). It just takes a little thought. I haven't totalled up my expenditure (presents for family, cards, and I'll chip in to the food costs at Mum's), but I doubt it'll be more than £100. But every item has been chosen to be something the person wants, or might like/need.

Oh, and I blew £12 on myself, on a Ukulele.

 

[redcogs]

So, refuse to be stimulated. It is possible to be restrained (especially when you don't have much money, and don't intend to get into debt). It just takes a little thought. I haven't totalled up my expenditure (presents for family, cards, and I'll chip in to the food costs at Mum's), but I doubt it'll be more than £100. But every item has been chosen to be something the person wants, or might like/need.

Oh, and I blew £12 on myself, on a Ukulele.

You overlook the worse aspect Arch - the stimulation of receiving impacts really negatively on children. Their expectations are hugely influenced by the idiot box and then reinforced competitively by their peers.

i find it a hateful and damaging process - encouraging the less attractive aspects of human behaviour.

Sorry to appear a humbug, but i find the entire process of commercialised xmas coercive - because parents are forced to buy into it if they don't want to appear as 'off the wall' weirdos.

 

[Arch]

You overlook the worse aspect Arch - the stimulation of receiving impacts really negatively on children. Their expectations are hugely influenced by the idiot box and then reinforced competitively by their peers.

i find it a hateful and damaging process - encouraging the less attractive aspects of human behaviour.

Sorry to appear a humbug, but i find the entire process of commercialised xmas coercive - because parents are forced to buy into it if they don't want to appear as 'off the wall' weirdos.

The coercion of parents is hardly restricted to Xmas though, it goes on all year round.

Why should those of us who manage to avoid it lose out on our Christmas?

 

[Cycling Naturalist]

Sorry to appear a humbug, but i find the entire process of commercialised xmas coercive - because parents are forced to buy into it if they don't want to appear as 'off the wall' weirdos.

I agree with redders here. I spent about 15 years as an off the wall weirdo because I didn't buy the children a new massive TV each every Christmas.

 

[Keith Oates]

I also think that Christmas is being overtaken by the money making side of things but for me the Celebration of the Birth of Christ still carries a lot of meaning.

 

[Arch]

I also think that Christmas is being overtaken by the money making side of things but for me the Celebration of the Birth of Christ still carries a lot of meaning.

I think it might actually be swinging back a bit now, although how long that'll last, I don't know. More and more people I know are saying "let's not go mad this Christmas..." I realise that that is a self selecting group (people I'm friends with are probably going to be like me), but I think people are getting tired of the push to spend on crap that will be boring by January (or boxing day).

I'm not sure about the Birth of Christ bit myself, but I think we do 'need' a midwinter festival of some sort.