It’s that time of year again: snow spray decorates the window panes, increasingly bizarre street lights flash incessantly, and array of Father Christmas scarecrows dangle precariously off rope ladders in balconies.
Lest we forget, there’s always the constant stream of carols blaring out of every speaker in existence to remind us that, yet again, its Christmas time.
It doesn’t take a genius to realise that I’m not overly keen on the Christmas season. I’m aware that by admitting this there’s more than a slight possibility that I sound particularly like one Ebenezer Scrooge.
However, before you condemn my less-than-optimistic outlook, take a look at your mental image of Christmas. Then step into reality.
The misfortune of the situation lies in the fact that, with time, Christmas has evolved into one of those grossly commercialised celebrations which has very little in common with its original intent. Think somewhere along the lines of Valentine’s Day.
It has gone from a particularly meaningful religious celebration to something of a money-spending rivalry. Presents, decorations, food, drinks and parties; all seem to be an unavoidable part of the run-up to Christmas, (which is all well and good if you’ve got the money to spend on it).
‘Christmas depression’ is one of those phrases that should never have been coined, simply because it seems so blatantly contradictory. It makes me wince. But it’s a lot more common than you’d think.
As part of a family with a lot less cash than it would ideally like to have, scraping through the month is one of those heart-in-mouth experiences that seem to keep repeating itself.
And it’s no fun. Especially when, come December, you’re bombarded with comments such as, “I’ve just spent so much money and there’s so much left to buy!”, “What are you getting your mother for Christmas?”, and, “I’ve just bought the most fantastic outfit for the Christmas party. Do you know what you’re going to wear?”
The commercial Christmas spirit becomes slightly upsetting, and you find yourself trying to avoid the whole thing when your bank statements permanently hover around the lower end of the double-digit spectrum.
It’s hardly pleasant to have to admit you’ll be buying few or no presents, and that you won’t be attending yet another student party because you can’t afford to blow €15 on a night out.
I in no way mean to say that Christmas in my family is a miserable one; far from it.
While the budget is often a tight one, the extended family are sure to deposit themselves, all and sundry, onto our dining room table for Christmas day lunch, amid a gurgle of laughter and amicable arguments. And while the presents are far from the fancy expensive gifts advertised all over the place, there’s always something for everyone under the Christmas tree, be it serious or just plain amusing.
On reflection, perhaps I was slightly rash in saying I don’t like the Christmas season. I do.
What I don’t like is the fact that society in general seems to imply that you need to spend the better part of this month’s paycheque, and possibly a chunk of the previous one, in order to have a decent Christmas.
You don’t! Having less often means that whatever you do have means a whole lot more.
So I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a wonderfully happy, no-nonsense-Christmas, free of a wallet full of receipts, and full of laughter coming from the people you care for most.
Ms Gauci is a B.Sc (Hons) Radiography, second year student.