Susanne Remic is a primary school teacher, freelance writer and parenting blogger. She writes at Ghostwritermummy and Maternity Matters and in between all of that she regularly wins mummy of the year awards for running around after her two children, aged six and 19 months. This is her pregnancy blog: an online diary of her third pregnancy as she strives to overcome two difficult births, one angel child and one awkward toddler. Join Susanne as she shares every step of her journey from bump to baby!
The ugly side of Christmas
By Susanne Remic on 21 Nov 2011
Last week, I posted about my family Christmas traditions and this week my view of it all has changed drastically. Yesterday, I went to the Manchester Christmas markets.
Visiting the Christmas markets has also become something of a tradition, since we first went when I was pregnant with my son. It was truly beautiful, wandering round breathing in the smells, marvelling at the lights and sampling the delicious foods.
We finished the afternoon with hot chocolate in the pop-up Moose bar and watched the shiny happy people racing round and round on the outdoor ice rink. It was a happy day.
We weren’t able to go again last year but this weekend, we wrapped up warm and prepared ourselves for a similar afternoon of wonderfulness. It wasn’t the same. It had nothing to do with timing.
I know this for a fact because the first time we went it was my birthday weekend (yes, I have a birthday weekend) and this time we again chose my birthday weekend. Yes, I still have a birthday weekend. So I know that the time of year is not the problem. It's something else.
We were confronted with the ugly side of Christmas, which was summed up so perfectly yesterday in an Argos advert. People are stressed this time of year. All around us, people were pushing and shoving and elbowing their way to the ‘bargains’. Shops were desperately enticing people inside. People were queuing to walk down the street. People were Christmas shopping with a vengeance. It was ugly.
Where was my magical stroll through the markets with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a slice of cappuccino fudge? Where were my daughter’s delighted chuckles when confronted with the giant Santa and the singing Moose? OK, so she didn’t actually disappoint on those criteria, but the rest of it did. Perhaps is just isn’t as fun with a pram?
The day was not lost though. I did manage a birthday present for my mum and two gorgeous babygros for the baby: one which reads Made in Manchester and one which reads ‘Ar Kid. Perfect!
The whole experience has made me wonder about Christmas, though. A few years ago, my family adopted a £10 rule. It's simple: nobody is allowed to spend over £10 on anyone. It was a necessity at the time as we were mainly students, but over the years it has stuck. And you know what? It works.
We think more about what we buy for each other because we don’t fall into the manic trap of rushing from shop to shop for the latest gadgets and other items which will be stuffed into a drawer come Boxing Day. More than that, we don’t buy into the spending frenzy.
I wish the rest of Manchester would do the same.
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