There I was, thinking I would manage to post every day during the 24 days of Advent; okay then, I admit defeat. Who was it who said “the best laid plans of mice and men go oft a-gley”, or similar? At least my punishment is not grief and pain, just feeling a bit sheepish. I really admire bloggers who post more or less daily, particularly those who write about more than their daily routines.
We’ve been shopping, ordinary household shopping as well as Christmas shopping. I hate it. I have yet to meet anybody who has a good word to say for the pre-Christmas mania which seems to overcome a goodly portion of the population. For heavens' sakes, people, the shops will only be closed for 2 days max., and how much can you eat at one or two meals anyway? I am getting too old for pushing through crowds or standing in long queues, waiting for my turn at the check-out. Too old, too impatient, too cross, too cranky.
An added irritation is the canned music. Tinny Christmas songs on a loop, over and over. I stood in line, fuming, mouthing “Oh, shut up already” and glowering at people who were singing along. The proverbial old witch killing the Christmas spirit.
The only kind of shopping I can bear at the moment is the posh, expensive kind; small speciality shops where the customer chooses with care and baskets hold just a few items - you couldn’t afford to buy more - patisseries, hand made chocolate shops, smokeries for smoked fish and meat delicacies, a delicatessen, a cheese shop, a wine merchant. I love foodie treats. Ludlow, our local market town, is a foodie Mecca, a genuine slow-food-city, which still offers a choice between mass-produced and artisan-sourced goods.
I seem to remember having posted a similar rant last year, and probably for several years running. What can I do, give up pre-Christmas shopping altogether? I’d have to find something else to complain about.
You are NOT a grinch, Friko. I also really dislike that awful canned music. It makes me glad I don't have to work in such an environment. I would go mad. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh snap. I am so over this. All I want for Christmas is Boxing Day, when the fuss is over and I can point people demanded sustenance at the fridge. And settle down with a new book (or two). That said, this year Boxing Day won't be entirely relaxing. I have signed up to do a shift on a crisis line. Which will remind me that I don't have a great deal to complain about (but probably won't stop me entirely).
ReplyDeleteOh that tinned Christmas music they insist on playing in supermarkets does my head in too. There's me muttering down the alleys, trying to remember what I really need to buy without having to shop again until it's all over. Join the cranky club - but have a proper joyous, peaceful Christmas tide love from me x
ReplyDeleteReminded me I still have some presents to get. Help!!!!
ReplyDeleteI spent a few days in Ludlow recently - what a lovely place! I brought home a lot of food. Lucky it's surrounded by beautiful countryside, tempting the locals to long hilly walks, or else you'd all be far too big.
ReplyDeleteI can't really deal with shops at this time of year either.
I avoid the malls and stores until I have only 10% of items to get. That way, I buy just a few things, do not care about the lines,etc. I was at our high-end Williams-Sonoma kitchen/cooking store and the lines were long, the clerk could not find the price for my item and apologized profusely...all I said was" I have food in my house and a roof over my head..take your time." Not being a goody-two-shoes, but frequently see those around me who have nothing, so I cannot in all sincerity complain.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on pre-Christmas shopping. Here they have something called Black Friday -- the day after Thanksgiving. People actually get trampled fighting for things. I'm not good in crowds but the good thing this year is that I can go early, since I'm not working. And like you, I most enjoy specialty stores and "foodie" gifts! They're the best to give AND receive! Tried to go to the post today and the line was so long I knew I'd be there an hour. I'll try Monday, first thing. I refuse to let it trample my spirit. Other things might -- but I won't let that get to me!
ReplyDeletei have a deep seated antipathy for the commerialism of christmas. hate, hate, hate.
ReplyDeleteand i have a limited tolerance for public playing of christmas music. i am a musician by trade and if i'm preparing christmas music i have to start EARLY.
on the other hand, i totally love presents and my shopping is done.
black. for thirty five years, i have wrapped my family's gifts in black paper. if i'm feeling ambitious, i paint little winter scenes on them.
wooo!
and ski season!
Listening to that all day is second only to working at Disneyland or Disney World and listening to It's a Small, Small World all day long. At least, I imagine so.
ReplyDeleteI've given up pre-Christmas shopping altogether. My husband does all the shopping. He's big and strong and likes to shop. I hate crowds, and can't walk very well, very fast, or very far, so I only shop when I need clothing. He buys gifts for all the offspring of all his daughters, and I send cheques to the youngsters in my family.
ReplyDeleteSo I will join you in ranting, Friko, and wish you the kind of Christmas season you enjoy, in your own way, however that may be.
Luv, K
Friko, that really was no rant. You expressed yourself about some recent experiences and sensations. Think I better save the rest of my own rant for an email. xo
ReplyDeleteOh yes
ReplyDeletethe small specialty shops
are what I like...
smiles...i hear you...there is much of the pre-christmas hype that just grates on my nerves....
ReplyDeleteI like Christmas music - about three days before Christmas and only the songs on my playlist. I don't mind shopping - about two days before Christmas. What I cannot make or bake must be bought and I just wander in and out of shops till something strikes me. Since I only do it one day a year, I can enjoy it. I love Christmas presents - my mother used to keep things to a list of three - something to wear, something to eat, or something to play with. I make, bake, or buy one special gift for each member of my family. Sometimes I start in the summer, sometimes I get lazy and have an all-out frenzy the week before Christmas. That puts the bah-humbugs in a tizzy :)
ReplyDeleteFunny ... I feel that way abt. Thanksgiving -- all the food, all the football, all the lousy weather. So, at least you don't have to put up with THAT over where you are. As for the canned music, I know it's corny, I know it's kitschy, but. what can I say? I like it! I also like going to the mall and seeing all the decorations and the people loaded down with presents. But I must admit, I don't do a whole lot of shopping and most of what I buy I get online.
ReplyDeleteI am a Grinch and I can't wait until it's over.
ReplyDeleteI cut out everything I can at this time of year. Shopping for Xmas, winding up the year and preparing to leave before Xmas for summer holidays: it all gets quite overwhelming. So I try and plan well in advance. As for setting a blog challenge of posting every day: nice idea, but quite unrealistic. I'm actually right behind with blogging and visits. (also slowed down by a cracked rib). So this is a time for surrender.
ReplyDeleteWe changed our traditions this year and bought gift cards for our grandchildren and nothing else. No decorations except a wreath, a scented candle and a Santa hat on a giraffe in our entryway. Advent wreath and candles. That's it. I like it!
ReplyDeleteI used to be on the other side of the checkout, scanning and bagging while thinking "for heaven's sake, we're going to be closed for a day and a half, yet you're buying ten weeks worth of food!!" I tell you, when it comes to a closed shop day, people just go nuts! Christmas is the worst, with Easter a close second.
ReplyDeleteRemember the old days when people planned ahead and stocked up a few extra items per week at a time? They knew the shops would be shut on XXXday and planned menus around what they had, plus a few supplies form the stocked up stash hidden away for just such an event. Our grandmas didn't spend hundreds of dollars buying out half the store "just in case". I always hated working Christmas week.
Confession, your misanthrope post speaks to me more than friends over at my blog might suspect. Crowds, canned music, bah humbug!
ReplyDeleteI'd be standing in line humming along. Well, these days I avoid the shopping altogether, though--but I am at home with Christmas music on singing and humming along. LOL! You'd hate me. ;)
DeleteA little rant, Friko, and I enjoy your little rants. If the solution is to stay out of the big shops and their canned music, then I think it's a good one. Who wouldn't wish for delicacies and special chocolates, wine and all the treats that come with a price tag. Enjoy Christmas however is best for you and turn your back on the rest.
ReplyDeletegewoon heerlijk jezelf zijn en genieten van de dingen die wel mooi zijn om je heen.
ReplyDeleteWhen I do my groceries shopping these days, I enter Aldi with a sort of resigned attitude, as in "Insh'Allah", it's got to be done if I don't want to stand before an empty fridge. Since I do not drive, I can only get a limited amount of food at one shopping trip, which means usually two trips per week. So far, I have survived them all, and I am glad that Aldi do not play any music!
ReplyDeleteAs for Christmas shopping, I've done all of mine weeks ago, so don't need to worry about that. Last week, I've been to a book shop with my sister because she was looking for something. I had time to observe and listen to the other shoppers. Love those snippets of overheard conversation! There was a little boy begging his mother to buy him a particular Lego article (yes, they do sell that at the book shop). He kept wailing "Bitte, Mama, bitte! Bitte kauf mir des! Bitte! Ich spiel auch damit!"
There aren't that many bloggers posting about pre-Xmas cheer and joy and how happy they are - doesn't that tell us something??
ReplyDeleteI enjoy eating so am happy to buy festive food and cook it . I like my daughters and their families and like buying a few nice presents for them .I send Christmas cards . I even like the odd Christmas carol .
ReplyDeleteBut will someone please lay Bing Crosby and his sleigh bells to rest .
I haven't heard a single Christmas song so far ! Maybe it's because where I shop there is no music. For the first time in my life I did online shopping ! That's great, a few clicks and a week later it's delivered home. Today I am in fight with the Christmas decoration ! I have far too much, I'll not even use the half of it ! For my little Grandson I had to buy some kid friendly decoration, he is 3 and will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteWhat what the heck, at least you tried. I only post when I have something to post about. Sometimes it is often and then it may be a spell or a bit before I post anything - I would like to go shopping with you. I make my own cards most of the time - its a bunch of fun - I wish we had shops to shop in like you talk about - small town, few stores and have to go to the city to shop and hope not to run into slippery roads and deer, moose or even snowstorm. I love being in the malls at Christmas - most people seem nicer than usual :) some not:(
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your posts - your forever fan :)
I am with you Friko, I have my head down this time of year.
ReplyDeleteNo need to feel sheepish! I don't see how people post every day anyway. I only post once per week (though I visit my fellow bloggers every day). I don't have enough in my brain to post daily :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I am totally with you on the pre-Christmas shopping mania. It's a bit much!
I purposely avoid shopping. Means holding firm against the shoulds and musts. Saves me from too many noel-ear-worms. I focus on being especially kind to the employees who have to deal with it all, for what little I do. If I had to get gifts, it would all be online.
ReplyDeleteIt can be done. I have purchased zero, zip, nada for Christmas. Well I did buy a few house plants, but that has more to do with the midwinter doldrums when the weather is frightful. Treat it like any other day and you soon get the hang of it. I did buy some new swim suits. I wonder if my gym is open Christmas Day?? dianne
ReplyDeleteAs for duly routines, what would you chat about with neighbor stopped by for tea? Probably your daily activities. My wise Aunt Marge told me once to write to her regularly. Anything, she said, anything at all…walking the dog, whatever. She enjoyed the vicarious sharing of our young lives. So I did as instructed and wrote about the meals I cooked, the clothes I made, the books I read. She said I was the "best" niece she had…well, I exaggerate, but I heard her tell someone, I never forgot her. She was great. D~
I've posted every day since December of 2005....well, there were a few days when tornadoes blew our power into the next state, but even then, I posted almost every day.
ReplyDeleteLove what I've seen of your blog. I popped over from the Optimistic Existentialists blog. I'm your latest follower.
Muzak... Can't stand it. Frosty the Snowman can go melt for me.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I sound like Victor Meldrew. And I'm only 55.
PS I was surprised to find I wasn't - I am now following your blog.
The Christmas shopping time and the repeated Christmas songs ...
ReplyDelete'This year Christmas presents are next year garage sale items.'
Don't like shopping at this time of the year.
We have what we need, but enjoy inviting friends and family for a nice dinner.
Time to relax in front of the fireplace or take a long walk in the park.
- Cheers Gisela.
I thought to go mad in the supermarket the other day. How much jengle bills do I have to hear anyway before I whimper into a puddle and collapse defeated? 6, 8, 52?
ReplyDeleteFled.
XO
WWW
I always want to buy something tasty or unusual for this day of the year,
ReplyDeletesuch as a pudding or red caviar or smoked salmon to decorate a Christmas table!
Have to queue in the shop but for me it is a pleasant shopping, Friko.
Robert Burns. But uh oh - I'm one of those people who sings along. And if there isn't Christmas music, I sing my own. Because it keeps me in good spirits and lets me feel more generous about the crowds. Then again, I do try to avoid the crowds as much as possible and do my grocery shopping as early in the day as I can.
ReplyDeleteHi Friko - couldn't agree more .. and due to circumstances I am now behind with any form of shopping. A necessity to be done today and I may never quite catch up .. next year perhaps I'll be organised ...
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
I think a lot of us could rant along with you at this time of year. The canned music drives me mad. Thankfully I no longer have to shop for Christmas food as our offspring do that. Such a relief.....
ReplyDeleteso. I'm catching up and thought I would just comment at the end but you have perfectly described my demeanor during this time of year. I refuse to go into shops past Thanksgiving. Just let me know when the whole thing is over. but I'm liking to expensive food basket idea.
ReplyDeleteOh, you had me laughing. I haven't even posted a thing in weeks it seems, so you have outdone some of us.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to visit those foodie shops. I'm with you on that.