I'm not a bah humbug or anything close, but taking a step back and watching the whirlwind of Christmas preparations get under way around me is quite astonishing and in a way mesmerising. It's not a negative experience. Being played out before me are deep rooted Christmas traditions that are shared by so many of us; and then handled in uniquely personal ways, defining our own experience of Christmas.
Take going out to choose the Christmas tree. Now this one is really about to kick off during the next couple of weeks. Many of us will make this traditional family outing to the garden centre or other local stockist, and spend close to HOURS choosing the RIGHT tree for the 'Smith' Household's Christmas 2013. We'll undergo competition with the 'Jones' Household to secure the BEST tree - even if that involves shoulder bashing and the hands of every family member to temporarily 'reserve' a tree, just in case there isn't another out of the hundreds of trees available that can trump it on shape, size, style, and numerous other factors taken into consideration when choosing 'THE' tree.
Image source: http://christmasstockimages.com/free/decorations/slides/tree_decorations.htm
Then take Christmas shopping. A time when even the calmest of shoppers suddenly become headless chickens, immersed in the Christmas craziness that is the world of retail. Traffic, queueing, the ability to get from A-B amongst a sea of shoppers - all challenges we face as the festive season draws close.
There is certainly something to be said for online shopping. But would I do it all online? Of course not! As frustrating and tiring as it can be at times, a little bit of the Christmas magic would be lost without the hustle and bustle of the shops at Christmas time.
There comes a time when one must stop admiring from afar, but bite the bullet and jump in head first to join the chaos, mayhem, commotion... For me, it will just be a little bit nearer to Christmas.
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