Christmas When You Were Growing Up

[staffslad]

The Woolworth's Christmas advert was something eagerly anticipated and was an indication that the big day was fast approaching.

I think some of the bigger chains are now experiencing a similar effect to what small, independent shops went through several decades ago. Back then, there was a move away from shopping at individual shops like a butcher, baker etc, to doing much more of your purchases under a single roof, be that in a store like Tesco or an out of town mall. Consequently, many small high street shops suffered and were forced to close. Well, I think the same is happening again and has been gradually underway for a long time, but is accelerating. Online retailers are affecting purchases from stores in an increasingly adverse way. We have seen some well known casualties and there will be more. Those that can adapt have a good chance of surviving, probably with a smaller physical store footprint, but those that cannot will find difficult times ahead.

[Arran]

This is the first Christmas without Toys R Us since 1984.

[George 1978]

It's a bit more complicated than this.

At one end of the scale are Christians who do not celebrate Christmas - they are few in number but they do exist. Next are Christians who celebrate Christmas but don't do the commercial side of it or Father Christmas because they see it as an innovation not in the Bible. Father Christmas would have been unrecognised in Britain in 1800 as the custom appeared some time in the mid 19th century when kids would hang up a sock then find an orange inside it on Christmas morning. At the opposite end of the scale are staunch atheists who celebrate Christmas as one big decadent party and do the Father Christmas malarkey simply because it's fun or they see it as a national celebration rather than a religious celebration.

Did you know that the UK is one of a small number of countries that does not have a national day. Therefore Christmas probably substitutes it for millions of people who aren't religious.

Seems strange to think that they are Christians who don't celebrate Christmas - I would assume that one would most likely to be a non-Christian who would celebrate the event. There is also the Orthodox Christmas which is on 7th January, which was on that date due to the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar (or perhaps the other way round).

It just proves however that those people don't see it as a religious thing as a lot of people do, hence the relatively recent commercialism. I am certain that people (usually children) still hang up a sock each year and expect one or two things delivered inside it.

I do know that Great Britain does not have a national day, along with Denmark - I would like to see this country have its own day - perhaps 23rd April when it is St George's Day (although Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales would argue for their own national day as well). The Queen's Official Birthday (even though the actual date changed each year) could also be a candidate as well.

[George 1978]

It's nice that Tesco are reusing their "Everyone's Welcome" slogan from last year - when I saw the adverts on the TV and that slogan was used, I always think to myself: "yes, everyone's welcome at Tesco except shoplifters".

[tex]

It's nice that Tesco are reusing their "Everyone's Welcome" slogan from last year - when I saw the adverts on the TV and that slogan was used, I always think to myself: "yes, everyone's welcome at Tesco except shoplifters".

Interesting also to note that waitrose are now part of the John lewis group but they used there christmas ad to poo poo the Elton john ad?

[George 1978]

They should have called the advertising campaign Elton John Lewis.

All I can say now is that I have posted most of my Christmas cards (feeding the post boxes as I call it), although there will always be the odd person that I have forgotten.

[tex]

They should have called the advertising campaign Elton John Lewis.

All I can say now is that I have posted most of my Christmas cards (feeding the post boxes as I call it), although there will always be the odd person that I have forgotten.

Commendable George, i really must start writing my two cards soon!

[George 1978]

Commendable George, i really must start writing my two cards soon!

You do that, but don't leave it too late.

Final Posting Dates:

Tuesday 18th December 2018 - UK Second Class
Thursday 20th December 2018 - UK First Class

Tuesday 4th December 2018 - Africa and the Middle East
Monday 10th December 2018 - Australia and New Zealand
Friday 14th December 2018 - United States and Canada
Saturday 15th December 2018 - Sweden and Finland
Monday 17th December 2018 - Some mainland Europe countries
Tuesday 18th December 2018 - Ireland, France and Belgium (and I assume the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands as well).

https://www.royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates/

I posted my international ones (two for the United States and one for Australia) over a week ago, giving them a head start for obvious reasons.

[tex]

George, your scaring me.

[Zincubus]

George, your scaring me.

He's fine ....

We are both Aspergers and as such experience life slightly differently to you normal folk


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