I don't hate Christmas but... Once it was a period I loved and spent months in advance planning and still paying for months later. I liked the feeling of togetherness and goodwill. It would last until the brandy bottle and a few more bottles, were drunk in a toast to everyone around the table. Followed by resounding toasts for world peace, happiness, and prosperity. As the brandy disappeared more toasts would be raised for pets and the neighbours, toasts the old car would pass MOT, and so forth. It always reached the point when, after half an hour of goodwill toasts, and the downing of everything containing alcohol, the final toasts would be for football teams and players.
By that time old aunties and uncles would lay snoring loudly in armchairs, false teeth rattling with every snore, they were the lucky ones, of all the sports in the world most likely to cause arguments and blood fiends it's football.
Christmas - Midwinter Day - In ancient Rome and was the source of pagan festivals throughout the land were held throughout the land. The Romans loved festivals and a good old knees up or whatever they called it. In between honouring the various deities, the Romans took enormous pleasure from their raunchy, rowdy, drunken behavior (something they passed to the Brits).
Jesus was NOT born on 25th December. official records date it to somewhere around late April.
Paul was a smart man. To get the Romans to listen and celebrate Jesus he told them Midwinter was the date of Jesus birth. The Romans were more than happy to add another diety and have more reason to be notorious. What's a few months and decades to a good cause.
I hate commercialism hate hard-earned money lining the pockets of those who will ONE DAY in this world of climate change and increasing lack of resources - decide WE are expendable - decide WE have filled their coffers sufficiently.
I URGE Everyone NOT to buy from multinational businesses this CHRISTMAS. Look in the smaller localized shops, especially those that sell British-made goods. What a kick in the teeth that would be for the multi-billion commercial market. You know who I'm talking about, the ones who support genocide and mass murder. The ones who laugh down their noses at us because we are so gullible in giving them OUR money to destroy OUR planet and TAKE OVER every nation they want.
At Christmas (2023) the UK public spent an average of £602 each on Christmas gifts. In total, the UK spent a total of £27.6 BILLION on Christmas gifts, decorations, cards, and packaging, not including food. A RISE from £20.1 billion in 2022. Millions spent on gifts that no one wants and will never use etc... Gifts for people we don't particularly like but feel obliged to buy for.
The sheer commercialism is terrifying, the money made by these people could end all world poverty.
The men and women behind these sickening profits sit in their plush offices or laze on a sundrenched beach reading their emails, drinking champagne, laughing, and talking about what new weapons they can buy and which country they'll attack. the money YOU spend this Christmas will FUND the murders of thousands more MEN, WOMEN, and CHILDREN in the HOLY LANDs.
When you hand over your hard-earned money to make your children smile, you will be helping take away the life and lives of children and their entire families. Christmas should be more humble. Based on realistic values. Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, Birthdays...Good gracious how those billionaires must be laughing.
Teach youths the value of money and work. Teach them love, care, and attention are the greatest gifts they can give or receive. Lest we forget. All that money we splash out on the children and teens at Christmas could pay for a place at University or a Business start-up for them in the future.