Category: Christmas

Is Christmas Too Commercial?

Sometimes I wonder why Christmas is still so very popular. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love the festive vibe. It is great finding an excuse to get together with friends and family and share a laugh (or a drink).

But fewer people are religious these days.

In the UK Census of 2021, only 46 percent of citizens said they were Christian, and many of these were loosely so (not actually actively doing anything about it). 37 percent said they belonged to no religion at all.

Yet Christmas stays significant and hugely popular.

I just hope it is for the right reasons.

Are We Obsessed With Presents?

For me, Christmas is a tradition. A wonderful winter time tradition. Sadly the wintry aspect has fizzled away, as we rarely get snow in England these days and certainly not during the Christmas break.

But when I speak to my students, Christmas is mainly about presents; Being given nice presents.

When I dig down and ask about why they celebrate Christmas, present receiving is the main reason. This is fair enough for children but many adults are the same.

I recently asked five different friends why they celebrate Christmas and they all said it is about the present giving. They were busy fulfilling shopping lists and worrying about getting those particular gifts that were expensive and difficult to get hold of.

To add to this, many of the people I spoke to who said they were Christian knew very little about Christianity.

One of the reasons several people gave was that they were Christened when they were a baby.

They had never been to a church since, other than for weddings and funerals.

Anyway, you must get what I am saying by now.

Christmas is about consumerism first and foremost. That is the reality of modern Britain.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with that but I just wish I could rekindle the festive spirit and get people to care more about being charitable and sharing experiences with people at Christmas time.

And Finally

At Christmas time retail industries make their most profit. They often hike up prices to make the most of the consumerism associated with Christmas.

Whether this is a good or bad thing, you can be the judge. It certainly seems to have moved away from community spirit and celebrating Jesus’ birth and more towards, ‘How big will my present be?’

What are your thoughts on this matter?

Has Christmas become mainly about buying presents and greedy recipients?

For a recent article of mine, check out Wonka – A movie review. Also consider following my blog for similar future content.

Love Winter – An Extract

This is a snippet of an ongoing winter love story that I began on Wattpad. It is a Christmas YA story that I hope to expand.

It was reassuring to see the first snowflakes fall onto the roof of the school hall as Jake sat munching his way through a Cornish Pasty, trying to avoid eye contact with the rugby lads. His thoughts drifted to Christmas movies and snowmen and festive music. Overcome by a combination of Mariah’s famous anthem and Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’, Jake’s eyes glazed over. Just as he was getting immersed in the Christmas spirit, Dan snapped him out of it.

“You coming to the Common Room to play cards?”

“Oh. (Rubbing his eyes) Is it a high stakes game?’

“Sure. Same as always. Roxy is being croupier. She is pretty fair.”

Jake’s eyes widened and his back straightened. He loved it when Roxy was in charge.

“OK. Just give me five mins to finish this and I’ll be there in a bit.”

Dan stole a chip from Jake’s plate and changed the subject.

“You know Roxy isn’t just clever, she’s pretty hot too!”

“I’ve never looked at her that way,” replied Jake, with his mouth still churning pastry.

“I was thinking last night, we need to start growing some balls and asking people out. Girls aren’t only interested in muscly rugby guys.” Dan looked at them, unimpressed.

Jake didn’t say anything else on the matter but couldn’t help but notice the way that Dan studied the lads with envy. They were currently throwing peanuts in the air and catching them in their mouths. Their loyal fans were cheering them on, including a table of swooning girls across the canteen. Jake couldn’t help wonder what was so captivating.

Jake suddenly stood up with confidence.

“Right. Let’s go for it. I have a tenner on me. What about you?”

“Same here,” sad Dan as he picked up Jake’s drink and recycled it for him. Jake emptied his tray and didn’t look back. He was in the mood for a gamble and now that Dan had made him think more about it, it wouldn’t hurt to take the chance to impress Roxy. Because yes… she was pretty special. Out of his league maybe, but definitely unique. Far better than the rugby swooners.

Thank you for taking the time to read my developing narrative. You can check out my Wattpad for other stories. Love Winter – Wattpad

The ‘This Time Next Year’ Tag

My home town – St Ives – I haven’t visited much this year but I still love it very much.

I don’t very often get the chance to get involved in tags but this one takes my fancy and was given to me by one of the most inspiring and fun bloggers that I regularly read. Also, I was looking for a way to tie together everything from 2021 so this fits the bill perfectly.

RULES

  • Thank the person who tagged you. So thank you funny and entertaining blogger Smelly Socks and Garden Peas .
  • Write your goals for next year.
  • Write how you’re going to achieve these goals.
  • Tag at least five blogger friends.
  • This last one is optional, but in 365 days, write a post about whether or not you’ve been successful!

GOALS – Writing

I have always enjoyed putting pen to paper, although nowadays it tends to be more pressing my fingers onto an iPad. Beginning writing short stories in 2017, I have had fun experimenting with my fiction. Originally I attended an evening class about story writing but I found it a bit boring (sorry) and so I went off on my own and simply went for it. ‘Short Dates’ was produced and then my first novella, ‘The Father, the Sons and the Anxious Ghost’. At the same time I opened a blog but I rarely used it. May 2021 changed all that and now I am a very active blogger who loves being part of the blogging community.

I was proud to work on some collaborations already and guest post on other blogs. Eleanor taught me a lot about guest posting and how to engage with brands – thank you so much! Similarly, I have learned so much from other bloggers. Passing 500 followers was a great milestone and I hope to continue making connections, writing guest posts and trying to get the hang of Pinterest (still baffles me).

My first proper YA novel comes out this spring and I hope I have learned lessons from my previous release. I am not going to waste hundreds on blog tours (apart from my favourite one). I am just going to publish blog extracts and hope that enough people take an interest and pass on a liking for it.

Holidays

I live for my holidays. Being a teacher, I am always looking forward to spending half terms in different places, looking at places of interest such as castles or waterfalls. As a geographer I am obsessed with physical features such as glaciers and I hope to see more. The pandemic has really hacked into my plans and I have cancelled four holidays now due to restrictions.

This year, if nothing else, I intend to go to Amsterdam by train and then onward to Copenhagen. If I ever get my money back from this week’s cancelled trip to Paris I may eventually go to the studio part of Paris Disney too. Having found out this year that my DNA is partly Norwegian, I also intend to spend more time there in the near future, as I am obsessed with it.

Fitness

My fitness journey has been up and down this year but I have managed to always do at least two short workouts a week. I love doing cardio sessions such as combat or aerobics ones, which I mainly get from the Davina MCall app ‘Own Your Own Goals’. I know I am a guy but I really enjoy the range of sessions available on this affordable app (not an advert). Next Year I aim to do two cardio sessions a week, one dumbbells or kettle bell activity and a good, long stretch.

Climate Change

As well as continuing to change my own behaviour and make the most of my position as an educator to widen awareness of environmental problems, I aim to consistently fight for more climate education as well as real political change. I totally support Greta Thunberg in her urgent plan to make real changes as soon as possible. As a blogger, I see my place as a voice for this movement. I want to make sure I keep passing on information about global warming and celebrating initiatives that combat such issues.

TAGS – Optional

I do not expect you wonderful bloggers to do this, but wanted to give you the option.

Kayleigh – Confidently Kayleigh

The Grumpy Olive

Monodreame

Rachel Foy

NotSoModernGirl

Thank you so much for reading my blog this year. I really hope you will join me on my writing journey in 2022 and check out my book and TV reviews, new writing and climate change articles.