– Kelly – 12/12/96
A few weeks ago Christmas seemed like an inevitable but very distant event. It has taken a barrage of ads, the Santa Parade, the Concert in Hagley Park, and lots of carols in the supermarket for me to finally accept that the Christmas season is full-blown and inescapable.
I think that I could cope with this realisation if Christmas wasn’t presented as a deadline. At this time of year it seems as though every conceivable activity has to be completed “Before Christmas”, as if Christmas day marks the beginning of a frightening lapse in all ordinary functions. It’s this idea, (which is confirmed when even Shortland St stops for the holiday period), which leads to the pre-Christmas frenzy. People are easily convinced that their existence depends on having a haircut Before Christmas, their kitchen redecorated Before Christmas, going to the dentist Before Christmas, etc. etc. The next few weeks will have an atmosphere of feverish panic intensified by those cheery reminders advertisers love; “Only X more days until Christmas”. And that’s before we even consider all of those essential pre-Christmas tasks; Christmas shopping, Christmas cards, Christmas cake, and getting the Christmas tree (or “Horticultural Festive Element” as I read recently they are being referred to in Britain, to avoid offending non-Christian sectors of the community). But maybe I’m missing the point and stress is all part of the fun.
Christmas Day can be a harrowing experience. It generally involves parting with most of the money we saved during the year, socialising with friends and relatives who we haven’t seen since last Christmas, eating and drinking far more than we usually do, and toughest of all, trying to be happy all day. Because that’s what Christmas is all about. But it’s the combination of Christmas and New Year (with very little recovery time in between) which is the biggest challenge to surviving the season of goodwill unscathed.
It almost seems like poor forward planning to have these two events so close together on the Christian calendar. Just after we’ve leapt the Christmas hurdle, New Year’s Eve arrives bringing with it the shocking realisation that another whole year has nearly passed. It’s a time to remember all of the things we meant to achieve this year, and the things we talked about doing next year, when next year seemed a suitably long time away. How cruel that this reflection occurs when we are still full of Christmas leftovers and short of cash.
Of course, like anything else, this time of year is what you want to make of it. If you can ignore the big sponsors, (separating McDonalds from the Santa Parade, and Coca Cola from the recent concert in Hagley Park), and the frenzied consumerism, then you might just be able to have a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good luck, and make sure you get your Horticultural Festive Element early.
