Christmas-Is it becoming commercial?

dublin | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis

Wednesday December 21, 2005 12:39

by Nicola McNamara

nicola.mcnamara at marsh dot com

Is Christmas commericial- it doesn't look this way to me. Walking down Dublin's Grafton street last night was no small feat, so why do it if we dont want to?

Dublin’s Grafton Street heaved with shoppers last night all battling to get the last of their Christmas goodies. Each year the masses grow and the exchange of money becomes greater. Is Christmas really turning into a commercial free for all or will we simply say ‘ba humbug’ to those who make this claim?

Walking down Grafton Street yesterday evening was no small feat. Bags tangling, people shoving, finding a gap in the crowd to rush through only be to met head on with a steady stream of shoppers coming the opposite direction. An uncomfortable picture some might say.

On the other hand the Christmas atmosphere could take one in. Carol singers the length of the street smiling happily singing our favourite Christmas songs, fairy lights lighting up shop windows and of course huge Christmas trees illuminating the top and bottom ends of the street.

Christmas is not becoming commercial. People enjoy shopping and buying gifts for their loved ones, if they didn’t then why do it. Take one look out the window of your car, office or take a walk down Grafton Street, this many people wouldn’t be pushed into doing something they don’t want to do. People haven’t forgotten the meaning of Christmas they’re just enjoying it, and shopping is obviously something we enjoy. We enjoy giving, and receiving presents, we enjoy the nights out, the family get-togethers and maybe the arguments too. We enjoy the build up, spending all that hard earned cash and being broke afterwards-if we didn’t then why do it?