Old Sock Drawer

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#083: Remarks on Retail Christmas

December 4th, 2009 by Mary Leong

Currently listening to: “C’est ma terre” – Christophe MaĆ©

Having being exposed to Retail Christmas for the past month or so, I’m officially tired of it. Enough is enough. Retail Christmas is a scourge that seems to magically kick in the-night-after-Halloween, and threatens to ruin Real Christmas with its armies of limpid tinsel and squeaky carols. Now, contrary to my darling roommate (who has decided to call me Scrooge and threatens to purchase me a Santa hat), I am not opposed to happiness, joy, and Christmas. Far from it! I may not have Advent calendars galore (which melt anyway, due to our overheated apartment), but I am very much a proponent of the Real Christmas Spirit. Case in point: I fully intend on decorating the apartment for Christmas/Winter Solstice in due time – an event I am greatly excited about, so feel free to join in! Also, Christmas baked treats are definitely superior to those of other festivals…mmm, gingerbread and sugar cookies… The issue with Retail Christmas is the excess, god, the excess! Without even passing comment on the sheer hedonism and materialism of Retail Christmas, the sheer length of the season is in itself weary and more importantly, completely unnecessary. We don’t feel the need for a two-month lead-up to Thanksgiving; why should Christmas be any different? Thanksgiving doesn’t get enough love. How do you think fans of Thanksgiving feel that we’re spending all this time and money on Christmas?? And thank god there’s no two-month lead-up to Valentine’s Day. I’m pretty sure the irrational dislike I have for Retail Christmas could be much averted if it weren’t so ridiculously long. So, I am incredibly thankful for Finals (I never thought I’d be) which allows me to stay far, far away from work for the next few weeks. It’s time to reclaim back sanity sans Santa.

Tags:   3 Comments

3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Rabi Sun Dec 4, 2009 at 1:42 am

    Welcome to the world of Capitalism XD.

    On a more serious note, I agree. Though I must admit, sometimes the whole Retail Christmas bit just adds to the spirit (to me anyway). It just gets the idea of Christmas out there. However, once it snows THEN it is Christmas =D

    Regards,

    Rabi

  • 2 Mary Leong Dec 6, 2009 at 12:43 am

    @Rabi- Oh, rampant consumerism. What fun!
    /sarcasm

    I’m sure Retail Christmas wouldn’t be as disturbing if it didn’t last two months. By the time Real Christmas approaches, we’re all tired of the bloody jangling already…

    SNOW!! My inner five-year-old does skips and leaps at the prospect. Eeee!

  • 3 charlee Dec 21, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    i work retail and couldn’t agree more! our store went so far as to play xmas movies in the break room. i need a BREAK, for god’s sakes!