We had an email at work today, with an Excel spreadsheet attachment, inviting us to select our Christmas Meal Menu. I have a slight problem with this, as I am not participating in Christmas this year.

Call me a Scrooge, a Bah Humbug, a grumpy old woman, all you like, but I have legitimate reasons and they are five-fold.

1. Christmas is first and foremost a Christian festival. I am not religious in the slightest, despite my name actually meaning follower of Christ (thanks mum and dad).
2. The lovely red and white bubbly personality known to us as Santa Claus was actually fictionalised by Coca Cola. Saint Nick existed and although they didn’t create the character, the soft drink makers did paint him in their own brand colours and made him accessible to children. Christmas is too commercialised and companies are always looking for a way to make an easy buck at Christmas.
3. I don’t believe in giving presents for presents sake. If something is highly desired and sought after and another soul has the kindness to take the time to think of you and purchase something that you really want, then fair enough. But to trail the shops looking for that gift for the person who has everything, when you know you’ll end up buying socks or candles which will just end up in the bin - pointless. I’d rather save my money until a time when I could bestow a gift that actually means something to me and to the receiver. And don’t get me started on the Buzz Lightyear madness…
4. The amount of cards, envelopes, wrapping paper and boxes that are used to give said presents is ridiculous. How many trees could have been saved if people didn’t bother?
5. Individuals, companies, retail outlets, supermarket chains and many others all begin preparations for Christmas in the midst of September. I consider this to be a waste of three glorious months. What happened to Autumn? To Halloween? To Fireworks night? Christmas shouldn’t be mentioned until December and in my house, won’t be mentioned at all.