It's That Time Of Year

Well, it’s that time of year when some people lose their minds because of an onrushing festive period. We’re spending today and the next two days in Newcastle, staying on the quayside, which is a very different place in 2025 to 1980.

Christmas is different these days, it seems to me, starting in November. Maybe if we had grand kids and an extensive family it would be different but I look upon the season frequently with bewilderment at the febrile atmosphere. Obviously there are economic imperatives for DJTees. We’re running a great 4 for 3 campaign and shipping is now free over £100 but I think it’s important to remember life will go on after the 25th. It is often hard to remember that because it’s a kind of wall we have to get past.

I always think of the people who don’t appear in the adverts. The people who don’t take part in the family gatherings and bacchanalian excess. Who just get through it with gritted teeth, hating the forced jollity and being accused of being a killjoy for not joining in. There must be millions of them, all ignored in the supplication to the season. 

Personally, it’s a long time since we celebrated Christmas, not that I think badly about those that do but we just don’t see the point. It's not for us and I don't think it's marketed at us. I mean what’s it all about? Christmas I mean. It's now a long way from a religious festival, unless there was After Eight Mints in the manger. And who is Santa Claus? And what has he to do with anything? I know I’m at risk of being one of those grumpy old relatives, and I really try not to be, but what is it all about?

The last time we celebrated it was in 1982. We had just moved to a croft in the north of Scotland and had literally no money, so we lifted a swede from the neighbouring field and baked it for Xmas dinner. It didn’t make much sense even back then. People do think we’re just being miserable but it's the opposite. We know what makes us happy. We don’t buy each other gifts, don’t put up a tree and decorations and won't send cards. Even as I write this, I feel conscious it does sound miserable but sitting eating turkey with a paper hat on really does sound awful to us. 

I suppose because we’ve always worked for ourselves and don’t take time off, it’s a different dynamic to many. Anyway if you’re of a like mind, know you’re not alone. And if you're not, I hope the season brings you joy.

I shall play Jethro Tull’s ‘Ring Out Solstice’ Bells EP. That’s my idea of religious music and I like the sentiment much better. Maybe I’m a Pagan. It would explain a lot of my life choices!!