Christmas celebrations
Editorial
Stabroek News
December 24, 2004
Somewhere around 9 am today, perhaps, harried housewives will be beginning to wonder whether the annual ritual of the season is really worth all the effort. Years ago when Christmas menus were more limited and preparations emphasized spending less and DIY (like French-polishing the furniture) more, Christmas seemed less frenzied somehow. Of course, in those days there wasn't the large-scale buying that puts such a strain on the modern household budget, not to mention the nerves of those who have to make the purchases. Children were lucky in the old days if they were given a single toy, while decorations were made of crepe paper or some substitute in the home.
Now, courtesy of satellite TV (and even before) we have discovered that at Christmas time we are desperately in need of phalanxes of fairy lights to deploy between the house gables, holly wreaths and sparkling ornaments to stick on the walls, decorations of every conceivable variety to fill any chance vacant spot, and, of course, monstrous red bows to distribute around the domicile with unabashed abandon.
Do we enjoy Christmas any more in our gaudy world than our less flashy predecessors did? Probably not. And do the modern children who are given remote-controlled monster trucks and a plethora of other presents on Christmas morning really get more of a thrill from their gifts than did the child long ago with his solitary toy? Probably not. But whether we choose it or not, we are part of the consumer world, and that world has defined to some extent what our wants and 'needs' are at this time of year.
The downside is the financial stress which is imposed on families who really want to give pleasure to their children, but hardly have the means to do it in the way which they would like. Those who have relatives coming from outside who can relieve the monetary burden are fortunate, and equally fortunate are those who are sent money from abroad. For the others, they either do without, or take credit or borrow in order to ensure that their families can indulge in some of the extravagances of the season. The latter is a route, however, which has its consequences in the New Year.
It is a pity really, that so much of our enjoyment of Christmas has come nowadays to be associated with conspicuous consumption, when it is at heart such a wonderful festival. For believers, its religious import is still at the core of the celebrations, the tinsel excesses notwithstanding. For everyone else as well, however, the message is one with which they can readily identify - peace and goodwill to all people. And Christmas is a holiday which is so full of cheer and optimism and generosity and the cementing of family bonds and the reinvigoration of old friendships that it is hard not to be captivated by its spirit.
So as the shoppers fight their way downtown, perhaps it is worth remembering that underneath the hustle and bustle and traffic jams and crazy driving and crowds and queues and stress and strain, the ultimate point of it all remains the same as it always was; it is the exterior aspects of the celebration which have changed.