Christmas Getting Earlier

Antman · 22 Nov 2019

STEVIEBOY1 said:
Is it just me, or do plans etc for Christmas seem to be getting earlier. ?

I've had some mail order brochures come in July that mention Christmas items, then I had a Christmas Card arrive in September, the shops seem to start to bring Christmas odds and ends out in Late Aug/Sept. The Radio was playing some Christmas music in early November and now I have seen two houses near my home which have their Christmas decorations up.

The 24th of December seems early enough to me.

I totally agree, ridiculous Christmas lights going up and seemingly endless TV adverts in mid November, try explaining to kids that Christmas is still a month away. I used to like Christmas when the kids were young but I have become more and more sick of it all every year and I've got to the point now where I loathe the whole thing with a passion. My partner is the same and we're off to Larnaca this year to escape the madness of it all, I can't wait.

RailUK Forums

PeterY · 22 Nov 2019

I'm not a fan of Christmas. The older I get the more I loathe it. It's all an anti-climax for 1 day. My opinion only.

I was given the job, I volunteer in a charity shop, of sorting the Christmas stock out. Most items were donated in January last year. I stumbled across the Easter stuff and I suggested I put it out, saying, "lets be ahead of everyone else"

Howardh · 22 Nov 2019

bramling said:
I hate Christmas.

Phase 1 - Irritating TV ads played at inane frequency
Phase 2 - Stampedes in Asda's for Black Friday
Phase 3 - Silly names for days, like Cyber Monday, Titanic Tuesday, Frantic Friday, Spend Saturday, et cetera.
Phase 4 - The great getaway, so total chaos for a couple of days disrupting work-related travel for those of us not "getting away".
Phase 5 - Normality disrupted, for example postal service slowed down or unavailable on certain days, supermarkets rammed.
Phase 6 - Two weeks of sub-normal timetables and roads being busy at times they wouldn't normally be
Phase 7 - The great fuss about no rail services on Boxing Day ("*I*" don't want to work over Christmas, but I expect everything to be available to me") and over Christmas engineering work ("you'd think they'd find some other time to do the work")
Phase 8 - New Year's Eve - when it becomes tacitly acceptable to behave like a thug and smash up other people's property.
Phase 9 - The morose faces on the first working day back after Christmas.
Phase 10 - If I had a pound for every time I get asked "did you have a good Christmas?", with the assumption that everyone has it off work.
Phase 11 - By around February people groaning as their credit card statements start arriving.

Thankfully there's then 50 weeks of normality until the whole nonsense starts again.

Blimey, I wish it was 50 weeks! More like 30 before it all sodding kicks in again. Have to go into stores now wearing earplugs so as not to be assaulted by Christmas "music".

Xenophon PCDGS · 22 Nov 2019

Just for comparison, in terms of commercialisation of an event going back into the realms of time, just look at Halloween and its original raison d'etre, when in recent times small commercial items such as face masks first appeared in the shops, then each year more and more additions/accessories were marketed and now full sets of costumes for both adults and children is the norm, especially in the supermarkets.

Techniquest · 23 Nov 2019

Howardh said:
Blimey, I wish it was 50 weeks! More like 30 before it all sodding kicks in again. Have to go into stores now wearing earplugs so as not to be assaulted by Christmas "music".

My store doesn't have music (for the nth time this year) at the moment, could be a blessing in disguise :lol:

It does make the place much less enjoyable to work in though.

Only one more month of madness to get through then it's 3 days off for Christmas which should be nice. Must get a couple of bottles of mulled wine in stock actually soon...

Antman · 23 Nov 2019

PeterY said:
I'm not a fan of Christmas. The older I get the more I loathe it. It's all an anti-climax for 1 day. My opinion only.

I can assure you that is not your opinion only, it's my opinion as well and I've spoken to many others who feel the same.

Ferret · 23 Nov 2019

I heard my first Christmas song of the year on the radio this morning at some ungodly hour - sing along now; “It must be Christmas time”....

Yes, it does get earlier every year and yes, it’s bloody irritating! Furthermore, Birmingham’s Christmas Market is a complete pain in the arse because the natives can’t enjoy it responsibly. Apart from that, I guess it’s ok!

Xenophon PCDGS · 23 Nov 2019

Greenboy said:
I can assure you that is not your opinion only, it's my opinion as well and I've spoken to many others who feel the same.

As long as the Houses of Mammon and their advertising agencies see an opportunity to increase their sales turnover, your views and those of others will be totally and utterly ignored, as attested to by the recent addition to the British way of life known as "Black Friday" which seems to last for far longer than any 24-hour Friday time period known to mankind.

Antman · 23 Nov 2019

Xenophon PCDGS said:
As long as the Houses of Mammon and their advertising agencies see an opportunity to increase their sales turnover, your views and those of others will be totally and utterly ignored, as attested to by the recent addition to the British way of life known as "Black Friday" which seems to last for far longer than any 24-hour Friday time period known to mankind.

I do wonder if it's all counter productive though? Personally I'll avoid shops as much as possible this time of year as I really don't want to hear frosty the snowman and such like over and over again in mid November and I would imagine many people are the same? Surely retailers could agree on a voluntary code of conduct to at least keep christmas in December? Surely three weeks is more than enough time for consumers to prepare for a one day event? Shops are open now on boxing day.

yorksrob · 23 Nov 2019

The worst thing about the festive period is the pubs all fill up with the "once a year" drinkers, so you can't get your spot

Xenophon PCDGS · 23 Nov 2019

Greenboy said:
Surely retailers could agree on a voluntary code of conduct to at least keep christmas in December?

Not a cat in hell's chance, when "the tinkling of the cash registers" still remains the favourite music of the Houses of Mammon.

61653 HTAFC · 23 Nov 2019

My local supermarket only started the "big push" of Festivus-related products at the start of November this year. Previous years had seen the seasonal aisle be a battleground between chocolate snowmen and (suspiciously anatomically similar) chocolate ghosts as soon as the "back to school" stuff was moved!

SS4 · 23 Nov 2019

Xenophon PCDGS said:
Not a cat in hell's chance, when "the tinkling of the cash registers" still remains the favourite music of the Houses of Mammon.

Love of Money is the root of all evil after all. Perhaps though. "the tinkling of the cash registers" should change to "the constant beeps of contactless cards" for this increasingly cashless sector.

That said I can't say I've noticed it getting earlier but I can certainly agree that it starts too early. Christmas is a holiday I would much rather avoid and I do not begrudge those who wish to enjoy it but I would appreciate it if I were also allowed to not enjoy it in peace

Antman · 23 Nov 2019

Xenophon PCDGS said:
Not a cat in hell's chance, when "the tinkling of the cash registers" still remains the favourite music of the Houses of Mammon.

I'm not sure tills are jingling, High Streets are dieing and I don't think Christmas songs are going to bring people back.

STEVIEBOY1 · 24 Nov 2019

Xenophon PCDGS said:
Don't the Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on 7th January?

Yes, I think they do on the 6 th or 7th Jan, they also celebrate a little later. It may be something to do with the calendar changes in the 1700s I think?

STEVIEBOY1 · 24 Nov 2019

I volunteer at the local Senior Citizens Day Centre on Christmas Day, we offer a lunch to the local OAPs who would otherwise be on their own at that time and don't have any family to go to etc. They get tea/coffee, carols, games, quiz, 3 course lunch and transportation if needed too, plus some gifts and prizes. For the past couple of years we had about 70 guests, this year we are expecting 80.

Bobdogs · 25 Nov 2019

Christmas: When millions of people flock like sheep to the shops to buy, in the main, overpriced tat,

Antman · 25 Nov 2019

Bobdogs said:
Christmas: When millions of people flock like sheep to the shops to buy, in the main, overpriced tat,

Speak for yourself. I don't and I don't see much evidence of others doing so. High Streets are dieing and online shopping is booming.

Techniquest · 25 Nov 2019

You can tell it's approaching Chistmas in the shops, even on a Monday morning at 9am it was busy. By lunchtime...

My family just get money, and that's all I ask for in return. That and a big dinner. It's one of the few occasions I get to enjoy a roast dinner, I can never be bothered making one as it's too much hassle unless it's for multiple people. Christmas and Easter are two of the only times the entire close family all get together, what with us being in 3 different locations with differing work hours/other commitments, so it's worth making an effort for.

Besides, I love Christmas for it being the excuse for everything at this time of year. Why are you so tired? Why's everywhere so busy? It's Christmas. It's Christmas. It's Christmas!

Yes I moan about Christmas a lot, but I also look forward to it. One of my biggest pet hates of the season? The amount of food wasted, there's no point buying it if you don't flipping want it! No point buying 3 metric tons of desserts if everyone's so full from their main meal, no point in buying 15 trollies worth of party food for Christmas tea and it all going to waste because no-one wants MORE food 2 hours after enough food to feed the Third World on one plate...

I digress, but I really do wish civilisation as a whole was more sensible with food at Christmas. Don't get me started on alcohol at New Year...

Anyway, as much as Christmas drives me up the wall, it's also nice to have it there. Otherwise I'd inevitably spend even more money over the year trying to see family than I do already! So let's end this rather to-and-fro post with this:

Deck the halls with lots of joy, tra la la la la, la la la la. T'is the season to be jolly...

Finally, on a much more serious note, because I'll inevitably forget during December:

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, to all of the RailUK Forums members and staff. Here's to a fantastic session of goodwill, joy and peace (even if just for 5 minutes during a food coma! :lol:

) to all! And to all my fellow retail and catering comrads, here's to a flipping good rest once we get to it!

Antman · 25 Nov 2019

Techniquest said:
You can tell it's approaching Chistmas in the shops, even on a Monday morning at 9am it was busy. By lunchtime...

My family just get money, and that's all I ask for in return. That and a big dinner. It's one of the few occasions I get to enjoy a roast dinner, I can never be bothered making one as it's too much hassle unless it's for multiple people. Christmas and Easter are two of the only times the entire close family all get together, what with us being in 3 different locations with differing work hours/other commitments, so it's worth making an effort for.

Besides, I love Christmas for it being the excuse for everything at this time of year. Why are you so tired? Why's everywhere so busy? It's Christmas. It's Christmas. It's Christmas!

Yes I moan about Christmas a lot, but I also look forward to it. One of my biggest pet hates of the season? The amount of food wasted, there's no point buying it if you don't flipping want it! No point buying 3 metric tons of desserts if everyone's so full from their main meal, no point in buying 15 trollies worth of party food for Christmas tea and it all going to waste because no-one wants MORE food 2 hours after enough food to feed the Third World on one plate...

I digress, but I really do wish civilisation as a whole was more sensible with food at Christmas. Don't get me started on alcohol at New Year...

Anyway, as much as Christmas drives me up the wall, it's also nice to have it there. Otherwise I'd inevitably spend even more money over the year trying to see family than I do already! So let's end this rather to-and-fro post with this:

Deck the halls with lots of joy, tra la la la la, la la la la. T'is the season to be jolly...

Finally, on a much more serious note, because I'll inevitably forget during December:

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, to all of the RailUK Forums members and staff. Here's to a fantastic session of goodwill, joy and peace (even if just for 5 minutes during a food coma! ) to all! And to all my fellow retail and catering comrads, here's to a flipping good rest once we get to it!

Forgive me for asking but what is the point of giving each other money? We don't buy presents for adults (what is the point?) and we don't want any in return (they would probably end up at the charity shop anyway) although it is nice to buy presents for the children.

superjohn · 25 Nov 2019

For retailers “Seasonal” is just a product group like any other. Depending on the size of the store, a shelf/bay/aisle will be devoted to it. Empty shelves are a big no-no so they must be kept stocked with something. This is why the seasons have been merged into each other to create a constant ‘season’ of one kind or another. Christmas becomes January sale, then Valentines, Easter, Mother’s Day, summer outdoor stuff, back to school, Hallowe’en and so on. It’s an exercise in keeping a constant flow for stock, sales and supply chain. True seasonal spikes are a nightmare for retailers to resource.

Calthrop · 25 Nov 2019

@Xenophon PCDGS enquired: "Don't the Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on the 7th January?"

STEVIEBOY1 said:
Yes, I think they do on the 6 th or 7th Jan, they also celebrate a little later. It may be something to do with the calendar changes in the 1700s I think?

IMO a fascinating tale. I tend to be bad with attempted links: but, all being well -- *

https://www.timeanddate.com>calendar>julian-gregorian-switch

should lead one right to a run-down of the historical shenanigans between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. The Gregorian calendar was formulated in the 16th century, and was a good deal more accurate than -- and a number of days "out of whack with" -- its ancient Julian predecessor. With typical human barminess, religious differences got heavily involved in this business: the Gregorian calendar's being strongly associated with the Catholic church, meant that for a long time both Orthodox, and Protestant, churches; and the secular polities where those churches obtained; refused to have anything to do with the Gregorian calendar, and stuck with the Julian one. The Orthodox Church remains faithful to the Julian calendar, to this day; though in secular terms, the lands where it holds sway adopted the Gregorian calendar generally a hundred-odd years ago.

The October Revolution, much trumpeted by the USSR-as-was, actually took place in what was late October 1917 in Russia; but early November 1917 in nearly all the rest of Europe. The new Soviet government made haste to switch to the Gregorian calendar in 1918; but continued always to refer to the "October" Revolution -- maybe it sounded better than the November ditto?

* Sorry, didn't work: I'll have to say: Google "switch Julian / Gregorian calendars".

Techniquest · 26 Nov 2019

Greenboy said:
Forgive me for asking but what is the point of giving each other money? We don't buy presents for adults (what is the point?) and we don't want any in return (they would probably end up at the charity shop anyway) although it is nice to buy presents for the children.

I don't know what the point is, but it's how it goes. Still preferrable to being asked over and over again what I want for Christmas, and repeating over and over how I really don't care if there's nothing to open, that they're worried it'll be boring, all I want is the rest and a flipping good meal.

Maybe one year it'll all change, I doubt it but it's how it goes here. It does occur to me there is one thing I do need, and that's more up to date airline fleet lists. I can do that this week though, I have two days off with nothing to do...

Christmas Getting Earlier

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