For me, it is all too soon.
Do I sound like Mrs Scrooge?
Here in the UK Christmas has been on track for several weeks, with the larger stores having acres of shelving with 'Gift ideas' prominently displayed.
I happened to be in our Hospital this morning and saw that they had their Christmas cards on sale. Sadly out of many designs there were only two which vaguely pertained to the true season of Christmas. I'm tired of snowmen, snowscenes, trees, and many other things which are unrelated to the Christmas story.
I sound like my Grandma when I say ''"In my day....".
But somehow the magic of Christmas is so diluted by this frenzy of buying and spending. Like anyone else I like to get my shopping done early, but somehow this year seems more frenetic than usual.
There. That's enough for today. Please enjoy the shops with their colourful displays.
18 comments:
yes I agree, it's all become a shopping frenzy. Some of us are working Christmas in my family (including me) so we are keeping it low key, we don't 'do' presents - it all becomes about the consumerism and we are trying to lose that.
So very true!
While I do not shop much any more for decorations and such, I do find that if you do not purchase early, you miss out. It's as if we are being forced to buy.
Those of us who know the true meaning of Christmas must continue to share with those who "know not the Truth" and enjoy the season for what it is.
We go from Halloween (which has become huge) and roll right over Thanksgivng into Christmas, so sad.
Great post on your thoughts.
Have a terrific day~
I totally agree with you. I was in our local hobby store the other day and even the halloween and Thanksgiving stuff looks like it is on it's way out. I have moved to giving money to my children and grandchildren for Christmas gifts and I don't really like it but when I am not focused on shopping and buying the "perfect" gift I can concentrate on the real meaning of Christmas. Last year, when not faced with shopping and wrapping and all of that, I was able to really enjoy the time I spent doing some decorating, a little movie watching -- just a more reflective and introspective time. And we don't need to start it in October!
I too myust be Mrs Scrooge as I haven't given it all a thought as yet and am wondering how much moe I can cut down on buying things and thus be able to give more to charity instead. All in good time and if there is nothing left in December then we will just go without and have a good time celebrating in our own way here.
Oh my friend, I know exactly what you mean. I am trying so hard not to be swept, unwillingly mind you, with this so called 'holiday rush'. A simple way to enjoy the birth of Our Savior is what my heart is craving for this year! ...
I do so love Christmas...at Christmas time & not before. Our stores have had Christmas out for a long time too but I just don't go into the holiday department when I shop. I have my home decorated with fall...another favorite time for me.
And because I really stay home most of the time I only see what's in my house! In our wood the leaves are turning & it has been glorious. I walk through the woods many times every day because I just cannot get enough of it.
I am planning Christmas though, thinking about where my tree will go with a grandbaby running around this year & planning some things for the little boys I teach at church.
I hope you'll be able to enjoy your fall season thoroughly before you turn to Christmas.
We went into Norwich on Monday and everything was black and orange for Halloween. Some of the costumes are quite gruesome. But whilst I want all that to go, I'm not sure that shops should have their Christmas stuff up yet.
I haven't noticed Christmas here yet, but all the Halloween stuff is on sale and that isn't until next week so merchandising is way ahead of itself.
I'm decorating for Halloween because all the locals are coming to our house for the dinner hour and the quick trick or treating, but I have lots of Thanksgiving stuff up, too. I don't start in on Christmas until after Thanksgiving. I have too many boxes of Christmas decorations so maybe this year as I pull it all out, I'll simplify and give it away.
I love autumn so much and Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year. So I am always reluctant to give a lot of thought to Christmas while I am still enjoying the autumn months. However, I do have to pop out of my autumn-loving now and then to make some Christmas preparations. With the size of my family, I can't fit it all into one short month.
It is sad that so much of the Christmas merchandise doesn't even reflect the meaning of the celebration.
Since we moved to the country we have less of the onslaught.
Our immediate family is opting out on Christmas gifts this year and just enjoying being together. We might have a few stocking stuffers and call it good.
I know what you mean, Barbara, and feel much the same way. I'm glad I'm rarely in the shops, other than for foodstuffs. In our family we have decided to only give handmade presents this year. We're all having fun and there are many secrets being told. I'm quite relieved that shopping will be kept to an absolute minimum.
Cards that celebrate the winter season are often very pretty, but have little to do with the true meaning of the season. I try to find ones with some message of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Christmas is not here yet (ok I have not been to the mall) but boy oh boy is Halloween... I must say that I rather dislike what this Oct 31 holiday has become - blood and scary stuff, rather wretched. But in the US soon it will be all about Thanksgiving and that will be MUCH better. I admit though that I have been thinking and planning Christmas (baking esp) and dreaming of Christmas dinners and using my Christmas dishes. I think I do this in part as a way to cope with things that worry me (i.e. think of something happy instead) and for the most part (not avoiding action related to worry but not getting paralyzed by worry) I find this helps. I admit I read my entire 'Christmas baking dream list' I wrote to my newer friend who visited today, and we discussed and researched 'what is golden syrup?' as I am using a small lovely British cookbook that calls for it and I ordered the syrup online as it is hard to find here. But I *Do* agree that just focusing on buying and -rush-rush-rush- is totally frustrating as well as stressful and exhausting. I am mainly doing baking, tea making and I hope vanilla making (if it works) for gifts but have a few more to think about before the time comes. Homemade gifts and a Christmas card with letter is more my line (other than books for godkids etc)! much love to you. I think there WAS a lot that was indeed HAD before that is NOT now and you are quite right to point it out. ps: I am reading the last Thrush Green one, about Christmas, closer to the time, am saving it! I have a feeling that Miss Read will show me what Christmas can be like and in a much better way.
I hear you, though here in the US it is not quite so bad yet, but as soon as Halloween is over (that's way too big here) it'll all be out, even though we haven't celebrated Thanksgiving yet.
I have to tell you though, I was in a a store that has some Christmas things out, and I found my cards for this year! I like them to pertain to the REASOM for the season, and these do, so I snatched them up! They are on a shelf waiting their time.
I've decided that I will just go along on my own time schedule, and savor the season ahead. Let everyone be in a frenzy, I'm not. (grin)
Materialism at its best! It seems that the stores are wanting to cash in on the Christmas spending frenzy. It is very sad indeed! I don't think you're Mrs. Scrooge at all for noticing it!
I have never been a big fan of Halloween. I love autumn but I don't like the ghoulish nature of Halloween.
Dear Barbara
I see decorations have started appearing in shops here too, along with Halloween which were not into at all.
With the cards I totally agree - let’s cekebrate the true meaning of the great feast of the Nativity and put ‘Christ’ back into CHRISTmas.
Love
Shane xxx
I completely agree! As each year seems to get worse, I tend to withdraw more from the commercialization of the season. Even my son said to me yesterday that he thinks we shouldn't buy a big tree but a small one, meaning tabletop size. My eyes bugged a little but maybe this is his continuing to embrace Christ all the more and leave childish things behind. I'm good with whatever the reason!
Love you, my friend!
There have been many years that I felt the same way. I used to hold off until Thanksgiving for my decorating, but I have found that I really enjoy having the decorating, shopping and other tasks of Christmas done by the end of November so I can relax and enjoy the holy days before Christmas. Less pressure and hustle. I see that you have had a difficult summer as I had. In hospital and your poor husband not feeling well. I am so sorry! I will be praying for you both and hoping the days ahead are good ones. for you both.
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