Father Christmas can’t afford that

November 26, 2007

Yes people, it’s that time of year again. The chore of Christmas shopping has crept upon us once more – and the more I think about it, the more I dread it. The mission to track down the must-have toy of the year, which your precious bundle will not live without beyond December 25th, has begun. Not forgetting that you then have to be as fit as a Prop Forward to manoeuvre your way through the scrum on the shop floor, only to discover that they’ve just sold the last one! I remember last year some sold out toys being auctioned on ebay for well over the recommended retail price to desperate, panic-stricken parents the week before Christmas.

WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE DOING?! Whatever happened to the joy of giving and receiving tokens of affection? After all isn’t that what it’s all about – symbolising the three kings bringing gifts of love to Jesus? Well all that seems to have disappeared under a wave of parental desire to please, and ridiculously high expectations on the part of our children. Yes, we have spoilt them!

My eldest declared last week that he WAS HAVING a Nintendo Wii for Christmas. Forget the fact it costs as much as a small car! Forget the fact he had a Nintendo DS not 2 months ago for his birthday. My retort was that Father Christmas couldn’t afford it this year. Explain that to an already suspicious and inquisitive 8 year old! “He brings what you ask him for – doesn’t he?”

When I was 8 my Christmas present expectations amounted to a cowboy dressing-up outfit (well yes I was a bit of a tomboy actually) and a few lollies and tangerines in my stocking. That would now equate to an average party bag! So where have these extravagant ideas come from? Well you might just find a clue if you switch on the TV any early morning or tea time from now until Christmas Eve – every other advertisement just happens to be for the very latest must-have toy. At this point I have a confession to make; OK in a previous life I did work in advertising, although I never advertised any toys so I can still hold my head up without shame! But the deluge of advertising not only assists kids in compiling their all important list to Santa (regardless of the small print price), but can cause a bit of a parental headache when an additional ‘must-have’ is added 2 days before the big day! I suppose in the 1970s our toys were not as sophisticated as they are today and visiting toy shops was a rare major treat. And as for advertising, well we spent ages watching the ‘girl with the dog’ TV test card waiting for about an hour’s worth of children’s programmes each day – so less exposure I suppose.

Also, from what I can remember from the dim and distant past, Father Christmas only turned up at the homes of good children. He was a pretty good threat in our family in order to keep behaviour in check. I do happen to know that to this very day in one local household bad behaviour results in one stocking gift being replaced with a potato. Pity the poor boy who ended up with a sack of the things one Christmas morning. Oh yes it’s true, and boy did it work!

But it’s not just the kids presents we fret about. The race is on to find the most unique gift at a bargain price for all extended family members. “Thank God for the internet”, is all I can say. While the children were very little and I was practically housebound I did the bulk of my Christmas shopping on-line, but would grieve for the lack of exposure to all the beautiful things I thought I was missing in the shopping world beyond my reach. But now with a bit of time to myself I find the last thing I want to do is to waste my precious solo mornings traipsing around the County Mall looking for soap for Great Aunt Fanny (bless her). Actually I’ve bought her some local Worth Abbey honey this year so that should do the trick!

But, no, seriously people, let’s not get so uptight about it all! Let’s try and get back to some more simple, traditional giving and receiving. Baking some cakes, offering to babysit, giving bulbs for the garden, taking grandparents on a nice trip out somewhere. Think about it. And as for the kids, well I’ll leave it up to you to explain why this year the Nintendo is being replaced with a woolly jumper and scarf set!

by MaryLou Burge

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