babybella

Now that is a fantastic idea, no presents, have a holiday. Next year that's what I'll do.
KAZ

turkeytickler

Well said Kaz - it is horrible what Christmas has become.... one thing I hate is how advent calendars seem to have transformed since my childhood in the 70s with a nativity scene and a little picture of a robin or a snowing holly leaf in each window (god I feel old!) into some blo&dy advertising board for the latest Disney film - and im not even religious!

I think kids do get less in NZ but my fear is that is due to lack of funds rather than inclination. I dont think it is any less commercialised here.... my Countdown is selling Hotrod advent calendars with sooped up Utes on the front - how festive!

BEVS

My Father will be one of those on his own at Christmas , as we are here. Though he will have friends and family phone him that day.
We couldn't afford for me to fly home to him and he is now too unwell to come here.

We spent Christmas in Fiji once.

What gets me is why Christmas has to start so early. All the shops are already displaying Christmas. Supermarkets are already stuffed up with Christmas food with people stocking up like its some sort of seige.

shepslady

That might be the case for some in NZ but for others of us we try hard not to let the commercialism of it overtake the meaning of Christmas. While my children were young we made the effort to spoil them rotten with presents but as they got older, earning their own money etc it was a mutual thing by all to cut the cost of presents down, especially as the family kept growing (inlaws & grandchildren etc). Funny how once they became responsible for buying their own gifts they decided we spend far too much time on gifts etc huh While we still exchange christmas gifts we have kept it down so we can concentrate more on birthdays making each individual birthday something really special & an occassion not shared with anyone.......well it was supposed to work out that way until my son married & his wife & I have the same birthday & my husband (second marriage) shares his birthday with my son.....yep two couples & only two birthdays between us.

You think the Christmas hype starts early....I couldnt believe my eyes when I started seeing christmas lights & christmas trees around this town before Thanksgiving....geeze I love the decorations & lights etc but mid November is way to early for my liking

BEVS

Aye. I wonder why it all has to start so early everywhere these days. Same as for you , the Christmas hype here started about two / three weeks ago.

Winnie

I'm another one who hates christmas, it's far too materialistic nowadays. The only time I've enjoyed it is when the kids were younger, watching them in their nativity plays and carol concerts, awwww. I remember when they were really young and enjoyed playing with the boxes and paper rather than the presents themselves, how times change.
This will be the first year I haven't worked for a long number of years, and we'll be spending it in Thailand, much better. And my presents..........most are made by myself for my friends, we all agree its the personal touch that counts and not the amount of money spent on them.
Roll on the 4th Jan

Sega Mad

If ya think that's bad I was in Asda a couple of weeks ago and had to do a double take! They had 'advent style' calenders counting down the days of Ramadan with a piece of chocolate for each day. Don't get me wrong but I was always under the impression that Ramadan was a period of fasting. Does this mean that the Ramadan 'advent style calenders' were a method by which Muslims could torment themselves with a little daily 'temptation' or has some corporate marketing department said "I have an idea......".
I am definitely going to buy one next year. It strikes me as the ultimate in cynicism.

In addition to this we have had a newsletter from Georgina's primary school which says (in 'Tonyspeak') and I quote exactly what it said:
" It seems that some parents have got the wrong idea about the infant concert. "Let's celebrate" is a reflection of the festivals celebrated by our school community, especially those occurring around this time.

Goldbeaters is an inclusive school where we value all children's cultures and beliefs. Our aim is always to instill a positive sense of community and a special way of working and playing together.

We do expect parents and carers to fully support this attitude and the positive way in which we work."

What d'ya reckon to that then!!!!

turkeytickler

Ramadan Advent Calendars?! Fantastic!! Im sure the company that makes them could branch out into other areas too.... how about star shaped easter eggs ... or a dating agency for the Amish?

sky

mumomonty

Well I was driving through the backstreets of Morrinsville (Waikato dairy town) and I saw on a corner shop a huge sign saying "Proudly owned and operated by Kiwi's". What do you think of that? Not in the right spirit I reckon.

I mean waht is a Kiwi?
The bird?

I thought it was mean. I woudln't go in that shop.

shortfatbloke

Christmas decorations where I live in the UK went up in the shops and malls in the last week of October... How sad is that?

BEVS

bugger !
I woz going across the paddock to photo the graffiti on the skate park. All the usual C and F and tags.
Thung is, am having a good time partying , so can't be arsed. You will just have to trust me.

BEVS

Have you seen that bankadvert then Gross.

mumomonty

Dont think so as if on TV i mute all ads. What's it like then?

babybella

OK youv'e lost me. What is wrong with saying Proudly owned and operated by Kiwi's. And if you think birds are running the shop then you must of been smoking something. :scared:
Switch on the TV in the UK and it is buy British this and that. Kiwi's in NZ are proud to be Kiwi's nothing wrong in that. Personally I think it is great that people think that their country think it is the best in the world, less likely to throw litter all over it then!. One of the first things that struck me in the UK is the lack of national pride here (unless you count the National front).
I don't hate the UK, there are things I dislike here and thinks I dislike about NZ,AUS, France, Italy (my favourite place in the world) and every other county has things anyone could dislike.
But hey! If you don't like living in NZ then leave and make it a nicer place for everyone else to enjoy!
Kaz (sitting back and waiting for the fallout)