AMERICA has given us many things which have enhanced our lives but Black Friday isn’t one of them.
The whole madness of the day should never have been allowed to cross the Atlantic and wash up on our shores.
It’s a crazy concept thought up by retailers in the States simply to kick-start the whole overheated Christmas shopping period.
I may not be a religious person, but I’m pretty sure Jesus wouldn’t really have wanted his birthday celebrated by people coming to blows over a wide-screen telly.
Last year was particularly distasteful with undignified scuffles between staff and shoppers over cut-price goods.
This time it wasn’t quite so bad with more people sitting at home buying their bargains online than heading for the shops.
No matter how you decided to take part in Black Friday though, it’s still not exactly in the Christmas spirit to go on a hysterical spending splurge, often getting into debt for a pile of “stuff” you probably didn’t need in the first place.
And we are being urged to spend, spend, spend earlier and earlier every year.
(PA Images)
I was aghast to receive a Christmas catalogue in September and far too many of the shops have had decorations for sale since well before Halloween.
As for those overblown, supposedly heart-tugging festive ads from the supermarkets?
I’m over them already.
It all devalues Christmas and turns the holiday into nothing more than an excuse to over-indulge.
Parents half kill themselves buying the latest toys and gadgets for their kids yet often these are either broken or discarded by Boxing Day.
I’m all for being generous and buying presents that are thoughtful and you know people will enjoy. Plus I do admit to going a bit OTT for family friends and workmates as it’s fun to show that you care about them.
There’s also nothing wrong with having a splurge at Christmas and enjoying a wonderful meal with all the trimmings while watching Downton.
The trouble is that it’s become so much more bloated than one special day that should be a real treat. It’s all gotten out of hand.
By the time the big day comes around, far too many of us are stressed, exhausted and can’t wait for it all to be over.
That’s such a shame as it should be the most magical time of the year and a chance for families to get together and celebrate.
I honestly think there should be a ban on Christmas adverts, lights switched on in our towns and cities and trees put up in our homes until after my birthday (which is tomorrow thanks for asking).
December 1 should be the day when the Christmas countdown officially begins and until then there should be no thoughts of turkey, tinsel, baubles and definitely no airplay of Mariah Carey trilling All I Want For Christmas Is You.
I really would love for Christmas to be less commercial, more enjoyable and much simpler.
It certainly shouldn’t involve two grown women squabbling over a cheap fridge-freezer.
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