Christmas starting in Octo-bah Humbug!
What do you think of when you think of October? Is it that day we all love when we dress up in scary costumes and knock on doors to get sweets, or perhaps the change in season where you find yourself reaching for a coat more often than not, or perhaps when days get shorter and nights get longer.
However, many people believe this marks the beginning of Christmas.
To think that what began as a winter festival for Anglo-Saxons, has stemmed into a global frenzy is mental. And what’s more – it’s being celebrated three months early, with many saying that when they see mince pies in their local supermarkets, the festivities have begun. But each year, we see a more commercialised holiday, with companies seeing how early they can put out Christmas products to maximise profit, and less about the religious history of the festival.
And, Christmas is great. I mean, whether you celebrate it or not, I think we can all appreciate the beauty of watching Home Alone and drinking a hot chocolate in fluffy pyjamas – I know I do.
It could, however, be argued that having Christmas aisles ready months in advance is a good thing, for that 55% of those in full time employment who voted in favour of it. One mom, Barbara, got in touch saying “I think it’s very useful, especially being a busy mom. By having Christmas ‘coming early’, if you want to call it that. I can begin my preparations and start Christmas shopping early to prevent a hectic December.” However, student Fran from Sedgley argues, “It’s too early. Christmas is great, but by having the Christmas radio, Christmas decorations and Christmas aisles up, it ruins the novelty, making Christmas less special if it’s celebrated over three months.”
Both individuals make good points; however, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and with millions of pensioners losing out on winter fuel payments – is it right for shops to be selling expensive Christmas gifts and chocolates this early on?
Furthermore, not only is this bad for our pockets – I mean who can resist going into a supermarket and not buy a bag of Cadbury Snowballs – but also young, impressionable children. We spoke to a reception teacher, Sarah from a school in Tipton, who gave her opinion on Christmas coming early. She told us “It’s really confusing for the children in my class. We teach them key events throughout the calendar, which allows them to engage and participate. However, when you only just taught them about autumn and Heart Christmas is played on the radio, then they get utterly confused when I tell them Christmas is in three months.”
I’m not saying boycott Christmas; however, next time you waltz down the Christmas aisle in Asda and look at the displays of selection boxes on offer – despite selling paddling pools a week ago – just think: what is Christmas about?
Images took by myself