Why does Christmas have to come so early. I'm fed up with it. It's not even the middle of November and already the shops are fully decorated and playing Christmas songs, the TV ads are constantly reminding us that Christmas is around the corner, as if we need reminding. After all Christmas comes the same time every year it's not as though we could forget. To top it all, Newport Christmas lights are being switched on on the 22nd November. I know Newport won't be the only town switching their lights on in November but come on, at least leave it until the 1st of December. Is it any wonder by the time Christmas actually does arrive we are all fed up with it, stressed out and miserable and then moan, "all this hassle and hard work for one day and then it's all over". We only feel like that because the build up has gone on for nearly two months. Is this what Christmas is really about? I can't help feeling that as a society we have all forgotten about the real meaning of Christmas, and I'm not just talking about the religious aspect. It's not necesarily about buying presents, spending obscene amounts of money on food that we don't even eat and over indulging in alcohol that pickles our liver as much as that jar of pickled beetroot still in the cupboard from last Christmas. Shouldn't it be about spending time with the people you love, talking and laughing with them. Knocking on your neighbours door who moved in three years ago and you still don't know their name and just saying "hello".
So instead of buying another unwanted toiletry set for someone, do a good deed instead or just give them a hug or some of your time. You'll find it will mean that much more to both of you.