After a warm, dry and sometimes spectacularly sunny extended Autumn we got all the winter weather at once. Temperatures plummeted and the snow covered the landscape in a soft white duvet. No sooner had the snow started to melt than storm Bert made its entrance with a red alert for rain and some fierce winds. I had stocked up the day before, anticipating the need to shelter in place during the storm, or getting trapped by floods after. I was clearly not the only one prepping for Bert. Quite a few shelves were looking a bit bare, notably milk and fish. Go figure. It was a Friday so maybe that explains it. Grapes were also out, but it seems that this is due to heatwaves in Italy, Spain and Greece, which is ironic when you remember the recent dreadful floods in those parts. Thankfully Bert wasn’t too bad, and things got quickly back to the rainy, gusty, grey normal, with the bonus of temperatures swinging wildly from -2C to 15C. There really is no telling what the weather will be these days. One thing for certain is that the holidays are coming. In fact, they are already here.
Christmas has been officially welcomed in West Cork with the lights being turned on and Christmassy festivities happening in most towns just two weeks after we celebrated Halloween. So be it. Adding a few extra weeks to the most profitable time of the year is good for the retail sector. I know that I complain every year that we should not get the season started until December 8 (instead of November 17!), but I sound like a cranky old boomer, so I’m just leaning into it, which is a good thing, as this year we are rolling all the holidays into one that we’re calling ‘Thanksmas’. Most of my daughters are away this Christmas so we will be doing a joint Thanksgiving and Christmas at the beginning of December. That means that I’ll be getting into the spirit earlier than usual. Which is why I’m very glad that I decided to watch the documentary ‘Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy’ on Netflix. At this time of year it’s good to pause and reflect on how our shopping affects the planet. I learnt that corporate waste (ie unsold perfectly good merchandise that is thrown away because it’s cheaper than redistributing it) is at its highest after big holidays, and no holiday is bigger than Christmas. In addition, no holiday pushes the button to buy cheap, shiny stuff we don’t need as much, as Christmas. It’s an impulse that is hard to control. Like eating just one After Eight, it’s hard not to pick up a few more baubles, or funny knickknacks, or adorable little watsits for ourselves and those we love. Here are a few suggestions to help curb the worst of it:
• If at all possible don’t buy new. Have a wander through second-hand shops, your own closets to find things to re-gift, or to get crafty and make gifts. I am fully aware that this does not work for all family members. In that case consider:
• Buying from craftsmen and artisans. There are many local Christmas and craft markets, along with all the regular markets, and loads of lovely local shops that sell Irish artisan gifts. However, though you may find something perfect for your mother-in-law, craft markets can be useless if you have kids. In that case:
• At least shop local. If you must purchase a branded item, go to a local shop. Even if it’s a big chain it provides jobs and shopping convenience to the community. The city has enough consumers. It doesn’t need us to go up for our Christmas shopping, but your local toy shop does.
It’s ‘Deck the halls with boughs of holly’. Not deck the halls with plastic, shiny cheap stuff that you will throw away. (As the documentary points out – Where is this fairytale AWAY place where we send our stuff? It’s in Thailand, India and Ghana, and of course in the ocean.) Similarly, ’Tis the season to be jolly’. Not Tis the season to shop. I know that it is hard to resist. The draw of the shiny is strong. I don’t want to be the Grinch who spoiled Christmas. In fact, I want to be the opposite. Whether your Christmas is a religious or a secular holiday the essence is the same: Peace on Earth and goodwill to all people. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
