Christmas cheer, christmas rubbish

It now hurtling fast towards the end of the year, which can only mean - christmas is near.

I certainly love the idea of christmas, being a time to spend with family and friends.

It's all the other stuff that bothers me.
The expectation to give something, particularly something physical.
The need to spend more.
The ease in which people buy too much - gifts & food.
The excuse that 'it's christmas' it only happens once a year.

Of course my work place has not escaped, feeling the need to 'kris kringle', and spend a small amount of money on something unnecessary. In years passed I have tried to enforce a sustainable rule - the gift being one of perishable (food), recycled, raises funds for charity, donate to charity or even extends to a recyclable gift - like a book or notebook.  But too many people struggled with this idea, and items such as plastic banana carry cases or model planes (as a joke) where bought, and subsequently thrown in the bin.
So now I refuse to partake.

Then there is the notion that I must buy a present for someone, in case they buy for me.  Not just an unnecessary gift, but usually wrapped in paper or god-forbid plastic and with my other pet hate - an ordinary card with a well wish.  Don't get me wrong, cards can be great. But there is an enormous amount of crap cards produced in case someone rushes out and needs to buy a card quickly.

Cards. Well I haven't brought more than about 5 in the last 10 years. I reuse the nice cards people give me, or make one up. so much more personal that way.  Of the 5 I've bought, they've been by artists I admire, and not for the sake of buying a card. Better still, to buy a card from a market stall or gallery, and keep it for the time you need it.

I guess that's enough for christmas for now. I'm sure there'll be more to add sooner or later