As a person who normally jumps on the seasonal bandwagon in the lead up to Christmas, my festive spirit seems to have waned this year — a sort of Chrimbo limbo. Perhaps I’m not alone, it's a feeling of guilt that has swept into our subconscious that in this current economic meltdown that our usual Christmas madness in this chastised economy will be a bit more subdued, and surprisingly I discovered the reason I was feeling this nonchalance was that consumerism had taken such a hold over the past few years, that I had unbeknown to myself equated consumerism with Christmas. Indeed, President Mary McAleese during a speech made in Arizona this week commented that “hands on our hearts that we were all consumed by that same element of consumerism”.
How had we been blinded by the notion that a great festive season was enjoying opulent Christmas parties, splurging out with the Christmas bonus, frivolous spending on fun and frolics in the many establishments of the local town, and lading yourself down with gifts galore purchased for loved ones — with the expectation of a proportionate amount of gifts in return yourself?
Perhaps now we will all adhere to the President’s advice and “find our way back to a more rooted and possibly more modest time”. With this self-realisation, my Christmas spirit regained a spark and I hope that others can also see that having the security of a job over Christmas is far more important that a lavish work Christmas party, that spending any amount of time with friends and family over the holiday period is a reward in itself without the location of where you spend time together being the most plush, and that Christmas gifts are a token of appreciation for a person’s friendship and support throughout the year, and not the most expensive item on the shelves. With many of the local stores offering pre Christmas sales we can also be content in picking up a bargain or two without worrying about the usual gigantic credit card bill winging its way through the post in January. Also, more importantly, you are supporting local businesses who need a hand in a year which recorded the biggest retail sales slump in the past 25 years.
Maybe this year we can also be less dismissive of charities which are appealing now more than ever for your support. A Saint Vincent De Paul spokesperson recently announced that the organisation were experiencing a huge strain in dispersing its resources, with a large number of those who never had the need to turn to charity organisations having been dealt a financial blow and are now seeking assistance. Seeing is believing so to speak, and now more than ever we have a better understanding of hardship as all communities have been struck with job losses — throwing a few euros to all charities definitely seems more palpable, especially in your own communities where local collections for toy or fuel appeals assist the most vulnerable in your area.
More importantly, make sure to spend time with those around you, especially the old, sick and those who have lost loved ones — it costs nothing and companionship for many of them is quite possibly the best Christmas present that they could receive.
So, as the countdown to Christmas continues, engulf yourself in some festive cheer — not based on a stressful, monetary, consumerist Christmas, but one of appreciating what costs nothing — that of friendship and love and hopefully we will all realise that it is afterall the season to be jolly!
