FemaleMatters/ChristmasMatters
Christmas Matters
Every year I vow to make Christmas easier, simpler - less
stressful.
Have I ever? One year I tried forgetting Christmas here in the
UK and spent it in the Canary Islands. It was quite
extraordinary really. Christmas day was spent around the pool.
The staff brought round 'Christmas' cake at various intervals
(not the fruit stuff but madeira cake) and Santa Claus arrived
on the beach by parachute. The hotel was full of people trying
to get away from the stress of the season. All regretted leaving
families but felt the need to just 'get away'. The guy in the
next room spent every Christmas away from his wife and family.
His wife, children and grandchildren loved to do the whole
British Christmas experience - he just wanted time to chill out
and spent a good deal of his time alone. He didn't feel this was
extraordinary at all!
One thing that did strike me was the friendliness and service
from the hotel staff. How much holiday did they get? - they all
seemed to be working so hard. I asked the receptionist. He
explained that they had no concept of a long Christmas holiday.
In fact the only time they did not work was Christmas Eve when
they were given 24 hours leave from that afternoon to attend
Christmas Mass with family and then to eat a celebratory meal
with family and friends. No presents were exchanged - this
happened on the Feast of the Epiphany 6 January when
traditionally the wise men had brought their gifts to Jesus -
and even then the presents to each other were single and modest.
On Christmas day all staff had returned to work by late
afternoon - as did all workers throughout the island.
There was a lot to think about as we picked up our champagne at
breakfast and then spent the day smothered in sun cream,
snoozing in the sun.
I still love Christmas and the Christian celebrations which
remind us of its true meaning. It's the shopping that gets me
down. And to be quite honest I hadn't managed to avoid this - I
just had to be more organised and distribute presents to friends
and family well in advance of travelling to warmer climes. I
suppose the problem is I like giving presents to people -
although I spend a good deal of time worrying about their
appropriateness. So - I don't have a formula for present giving
but I do try to cut down on spending without appearing to be
scrooge, I try to support charities with what I buy, I try to
simplify the shopping process, I try to begin the process early.
And all you can do is try!
Am I correct in thinking that Christmas shopping still falls
largely to the female of the species? Is it just women who begin
worrying in February about buying for the children or
grandchildren. Is it the female mind that sees something in June
which would be 'perfect' for Aunt Mathilda at Christmas? The
internet offers wonderful opportunities to ease the pressure on
shopping and having moved from a bustling city to a small island
last year where choice is very limited this is a growing
activity, not to say obsession in our household.
But is this the way Christmas has to be for us?
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