Christmas is that time of the year where human beings are merry, or at least they attempt to be, and look forward to spending quality time with their loved ones.
Unfortunately, it’s also that time of the year where we become broke, get fat and incur a lot of stress. For the next several weeks, we as consumers will be bombarded with constant advertisements on toys, clothing, games and other useless items that we do not even need.
It is quite an interesting period for many reasons. First, a phalanx of consumers has more shopping bags in one hand and food in the other than any other time of the year. Secondly, we forget common sense and rationality for some ungodly reason. Third, the season to supposedly celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday arrives earlier and earlier each year.
I am sure we have friends, family members or colleagues who say in the middle of April, “Hey, it’s nearly Christmas!” Although they are speaking in jest, there is some truth to that.
How many do you know who shop for Christmas when the Summer Solstice hasn’t even occurred? How many commercials do you see the day after Christmas for the following year’s Christmas? How many stores do you see sell Christmas items at the end of August?
I am positive that you have come across at least one of the aforementioned.
Why does Christmas have to reveal its presence before Halloween? Why must the Dollar Store sell Christmas decorations right next to its Halloween decorations? Well, the obvious point is that stores believe the longer they have something on shelves, the more profit will be made.
In Toronto, The Bay has already setup its
Christmas Street and historic Christmas windows along Queen Street. I do despise winter, but these iconic sites should be reserved for December when snowflakes fall and we are covered in layers of clothing.
Maybe I am too precocious at my young age. Maybe I am a 23-year-old curmudgeon who is a morose individual that must hold an unpropitious view towards everything. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I am sure I hold the same opinion as many others do: Christmas comes way too early each year.
Either way, when Christmas comes, I will be doing the same thing I do every year: watch the four-hour documentary “The Sorrow and the Pity” and write in order to evade this splenetic existence and escape to my fictitious world.