well it's happened

In my local Garden Centre yesterday, they had about a third of the floor space cordoned off and I was wondering why - THEN I spotted the girls at the tills with boxes of 'glittery bows' pricing them up before hanging them on the display shelves behind the barriers .

Although I hate the commercialisation of Christmas, I do have to admit to being a 'bit of a sucker' once I see gold/cream/silver/glass decorations hanging up on sale - somebody else can have all the multi-coloured stuff , thank you very much .

They were also advertising their Charity Bonfire Evening on 2nd November to raise money for a local hospice - looking forward to that one.

 

I'm looking forward to 2nd January!

 

Or, to be more precise, the very end of September and the beginning of October (yes, I'm being pernickety )

That's certainly one point of view.

Ah, big assumptions there.

I am one of those who will go out a few days before Christmas and load up my *one deep* trolley with ...
... joints of meat! It is ridiculously cheaper than the rest of the year; raw, keeps well in the freezer and lasts pretty much the whole year. The joints are exceptionally large and can be made into several good hearty meals which can then be re-frozen using the cooked meat and serves other meals as well. I'll also do a repeat visit for the foodie sales to nab the longer life products which will be halved in price but which will also carry us through a good few months *after* the event!

May have to rethink that strategy this year as numbers are down on the home front now though But, it's served me and my pocket very well in past years, most especially when I had a younger family to consider/feed/cater to, thank you very much Mr Supermarket

Up to a point, I share a similar memory as a youngster. However, I doubt your parents will share the same view and, judging by what my mother and MIL advised me when I was bringing up a young family ... I'll lay money on it your mother was buying gifts/treats/extras for the cupboard *throughout* the year so that your Christmas all came together as she/they wanted it to

It is ... whatever *you* decide to make it!
And that's the point really. If you choose to buy into the commercial side of it, then that is your choice. If you wish to focus on the festive aspect, that is your choice. If, ultimately, the religious core of the occasion is important to you and your loved ones, then that should remain your principle reasons for celebration.

Interestingly, and historically, did you know that the traditional Christmas Cake was *not* made in September/October/November or even December? In fact, the time to make your Christmas cake was .... Spring!

Why? Because that was when there would be a glut of eggs available! (Pre battery farms) Hence why so many traditional recipes for Christmas cake (and pudding) would contain alcohol: to preserve the bliddy thing so it lasted until December without going off or mouldy!

Anyone else remember when the news would broadcast how many shopping days there were left until Christmas? (Maybe they still do ). If you cast your mind back, when the majority of us were "younger", shops were generally only open 5 and half days per week (maximum!) and wages were paid weekly. With that in mind, if a shop put out their Christmas goodies straight after Bonfire Night, that would still equate to a potential SEVEN pay days before Christmas. Still plenty of opportunity for Mr & Mrs Average to squirrel away a treat or two before the whole Country shut down for what could amount to (some years at least) a whole week of no shops being opened e.g. depending on which day of the week Christmas and Boxing fell + Sunday closing + half day closing + New Year! )

Now, fast forward to present times (no pun intended ) the majority of people are paid monthly and often around the 20th - 25th mark. Discovering Christmas decorations on the 29th September actually only leaves, potentially .... TWO paydays until Christmas (Oct/Nov) unless you have a September surplus (although that may still be paying the overdraft from the school uniform push) or don't mind using your December pay packet and a last minute rush!

Now, yes, liliana argues that it is simply to line the pockets of Company Directors - but, to be fair, any Company Director or shareholder who is placing their investment on the table based on Christmas sales alone ... will soon either be out of a job or bankrupt! They need year round sales to be viable and profitable.

Maybe the argument is more geared to consumers than the cynics think?
Maybe there is an argument that, by putting supplies on the table at the end of September, consumers get to spread the cost of their purchases over (potentially) three paydays as opposed to only one if the old ways of only getting the goods out early December remained the case?

All I know is this: no one can force me to spend money I do not have. No one can make me alter my personal focus of the season. Neither do I have an income which would support a CEO's salary, let alone the expectation of any shareholder, based on my December purchases!

But, will I still be trundling around Mr Supermarket filling up a deep trolley come December? Absolutely!!! But my focus this year will have a slightly different nuance: instead of filling up with a view to feeding the hollow legs of teens, I will be re-stocking my cupboards ... after all, I'm in the process of emptying them to send tinned and packet goods to the local food bank! I am deeply saddened that our Country has, not only resorted to this, but has a growing *need* for this! Some may say that is a fundamental aspect of the Christianmas Spirit? Some may say it's being pragmatic? Other's may think something else

So, I'll enjoy the window shopping, the build up of festive carols, the glittery things, children wide eyed with awe and expectation wrapped up in the fantasy of their parents choosing. And I will be grateful I can choose how I spend the season because the most precious thing I have is ... choice! And my right to exercise it

*steps down from pinching liliana's soap box*

 

I've already experienced some of the benefits of Xmas a couple of weeks ago when we went into Tescos and found they'd reduced loads of frozen vegetable products to half price to make room for their much higher value frozen turkeys delivery. Everything is now back to full price (and some a bit more), but we made a very substantial saving.

 

I can't wait till Boxing day....i'm going to sow my Kelsae's

 

I start to 'prep & freeze' veg well in advance of Christmas. I also raid the 'Whoopsie Shelves/Cabinets' for freezeable treats at knock-down prices. My local supermarket often has multi-packs of alcoholic AND soft drinks, where one has been removed. These are then sold off much cheaper than they should be - no problem at all, especially if they're not going to be a present for somebody. Same goes for large multi-packs of crisps/snacks etc. Already got a very 'Good Christmas Stash' - including an Extra Special Christmas Pud - still well within date - bought in January for less than half price. Even got a carton of Brandy Sauce to go with it for 50p - also within date .

Money is very tight since I retired, but my family hasn't grown any smaller to match my income - I'll finance Christmas in the best way possible .

 

Yep, Boxing Day is the BEST!!!!! Love it!!!!

Val

 

As soon as it hits September it's practically Christmas in my head, and by late October I'm listening to Christmas songs.

 

you & me @kyleleonard we'd get along just fine

 

Oooh, I say, HB, are you flirting with KL????

*ducks*

 

I've just started writing out my Xmas cards tonight {before my hands stiffen up with the cold weather}and it does seem funny writing 2014 inside all of the cards as I send my very best wishes for the New Year

Just need some snow and my trees up and I shall be happy

 

im sorry i just cant help it its the raw sex appeal thats just emanating from his posts! his writing is so manly & fine, whats a girl to do?

 

Hate to take the wind out of your sails Honeybunny, but I think you may have competition......reference Kyles avatar!