Calling in to our farm shop the other day, the girl at the counter, by way of polite conversation, said, “Soon be Christmas!”
“That’s, exciting, isn’t it?” I ventured, pausing for effect before adding a contradictory, “Not.”
She giggled.
Aha, I thought, someone who thinks just like we do. It is a fact that we are increasingly finding that people are fed-up with the whole stupid consumer-driven stampede, so I was happy to share my thoughts with this young lass, particularly as she represents the younger generation. I told her how we deliberately avoid all the glitz and razzmatazz, preferring instead to celebrate the occasion simply by enjoying a family meal.
I waxed lyrical about the irritating tunes that emit from High street stores and the television adverts that promote them, and I roundly condemned those who sell us all that useless stuff that no one actually wants. I ended my little tirade by suggesting that I might go into hibernation around 20th December and not reappear until after 1st January. I paused, looking for the signs of accord that would obviously be displayed in her face, but she looked slightly bemused, if not a little wary of me.
“I like Christmas,” she said, with just the hint of a pout.