Madam, - We are already blatantly being made aware that Christmas is coming. Shops are displaying Christmas goods, money-lenders are preparing to exploit the needy and advertisements are coming thick and fast on the TV. Nearly everyone you speak to is disgusted with this early arrival of the festive season, but I think it is about time that something was done about it.
I urge families to come together and take a stand against this premature onslaught. I am not denying that Christmas is a special time, but I feel that it is being contaminated with greed, excess and unnecessary preparation that will only lead to stress and disappointment.
Each year I feel that children are being stimulated, mainly through advertising, to think about what gifts they will receive and to start making their lists for Father Christmas. This is wrong. We need to teach our children the value of giving as well as receiving and not to be expecting the world at their feet on Christmas morning. And no, I am not an old codger who got an orange and a bar of chocolate and was grateful for them. I am a young woman, with young children, trying to keep the wonder of Christmas alive.
I ask those who have been sucked up into this maelstrom of Christmas preparation to please consider what their children are hearing and seeing. Last weekend I overheard a mother threatening her child that "Santy won't come if you don't behave yourself".
Let's take it down a gear. In a small way, we can each help our
families, friends and children to get the joy of Christmas back
again. - Yours, etc,
CAROLINE MASLIN,
Lynnderry Court,
Mullingar, Co Westmeath.