- Christmas Toys - Elmo Live By:-Jim Moore
Who else wouldn’t want a toy that tells jokes and stories, and also sings and dances? For good reason, Elmo Live, based on the Sesame Street Character Elmo, is going to be one of the hottest toys this year. Like past years when the Tickle Me Elmo’s took the world by storm, this toy is supposed to be an item your kids will want desperately.
- The Commercialism of Christmas By:-Ron Lovell
Christmas is a time of year that draws strong reactions from a wide range of people. As much as it is a time for family and theoretically to be enjoyed, Christmas does have its opponents. Or, to be more accurate, there are people who are thoroughly displeased by the idea of a holiday which used to be about family togetherness and happiness being turned into a corporate festival which relies on rampant consumerism. Looking at the supermarkets which have Christmas related lines on their shelves from September onwards it is not hard to understand their points.
- When Christmas Gets Hijacked By:-Ron Lovell
The Christmas holiday has become somewhat commercialized over the years, to the point where a great many people who claim no religious affiliation and would be insulted if you suggested it to them still celebrate it with great enthusiasm due to the presence of presents.
- Decking The Halls And Trimming The Trees By:-Ron Lovell
Decorations are a major part of Christmas, as we all know. However, there is a tendency among most of us to find the actual act of decorating quite irritating and unpleasant. Not only that, but taking down the decorations when the holiday is over is viewed by many as one of the most depressing pursuits they can think of.
- Surveying The Damage – The Post-Christmas Landscape By:-Ron Lovell
It is not difficult to see why some people question whether they should bother with Christmas in a given year. The magic of Christmas is undeniable for most of us, but it is a magic that works mostly on our perceptions, and does not effect the reality of things when we most need it to. The holiday season makes some demands on us, and although we are happy to meet them, they still need to be addressed when the time comes.
- The Dreaded Christmas List By:-Ron Lovell
At some point in November, children across the globe sit down and thoughtfully pen their letter to Santa. For many parents, this is a moment of horror, when the desires of our children are laid out. Particularly in tough economic times, a dollar-demanding list can be a cause of high anxiety. Given that we naturally want our children to have what they want, many parents will get into debt this Christmas trying to meet their children's requirements.
- It’s Clichéd To Be Cynical At Christmas By:-Ron Lovell
Christmas is a time of magic for so many people, but there is a tendency among others to look at the whole holiday as a mess of pointless celebration and meaningless spending. The way they look at the holiday goes further than not celebrating it themselves, they will actually openly sneer at other people for celebrating the holiday.
- Is Christmas Just A Time For Children? By:-Ron Lovell
The older we get, the more Christmas can seem like a holiday which is simply designed to get the maximum amount of money out of our wallets, even as we enjoy the festivities. There will always be some people willing to make a cynical quick buck or two, and this does not help matters. However, the holiday period does certainly have its compensations, and many would say that these multiply when we have children.
- Thinking Outside The Box (And Inside It Too) By:-Ron Lovell
When it comes to picking the ideal Christmas gift, there is no doubt that people put a lot of thought into how to make the festivities go just right for the person they are buying for. Christmas shopping can be very stressful – should you ask the person concerned what they want, or should you surprise them?
- The Perils Of The Christmas Party By:-Ron Lovell
Although Christmas is a time of celebration, it can be a minefield for many people. The definition of a celebration is that people come together and enjoy a moment, and this happens most obviously at Christmas parties. More and more people are swearing off Christmas parties however, and this is due in no small part to the role played by alcohol.
- The Cost of Christmas By:-Ron Lovell
If someone voices a negative opinion of the Christmas holiday, it can be a bit of a moral minefield, with insults flying around including terms like “Scrooge”. But there is a very good reason why many people worry about Christmas in advance of the holiday. The fact of the matter is that Christmas can cost an awful lot of money, and leave us in a position where we have debts to pay off after the wrapping paper has been recycled, the food digested and the parties processed through brain, liver and social diary.
- Dreaming Of A White Christmas By:-Ron Lovell
Whenever you receive a Christmas card, or watch a television Christmas special, there is one thing which seems to unite them all – the presence of snow. This is something that has become as much a part of the Christmas message as anything. Perhaps it is because it looks so welcoming and bright and pure. Perhaps it is because it makes the scene immediately identifiable as a winter one, and therefore links it to Christmas.
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