Christmas and commerce

Presents can be thoughtful rather than over the top

Sir, – Michael Gannon seems to suggest that the media and advertisers are mostly responsible for the extraordinary spending splurge at Christmas (Letters, December 6th).

Christmas dinner is essentially a large Sunday roast. Presents can be thoughtful rather than over the top and it’s important to remember as parents that we are allowed to say “No” every now and then. – Yours, etc,

DAVID CURRAN,

Knocknacarra,

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Galway.

A chara, – My advice is to concentrate on the Christ part of Christmas.

It is much easier than you might think. Just resolve to spend as little as possible and take pleasure out of it! The more you practise the easier it becomes.

The excess of false jollification and goodwill of this time can be avoided by celebrating the joys of life equally through the whole year and it saves emotional energy. That saved energy should help us to face both the ups and downs which are all part of life.

Without wishing to upset the secular world, I wish all people the spirit of Christ at Christmas and for the whole year, and especially those peoples who are suffering from armed aggression from whatever quarter. – Is mise,

PETER SEAVER,

Kilkenny.