CHRISTMAS PAST...

By the time you read this, Christmas 2025 will be well past.

I heard one remark in a televison programme describing what was founded as a Christian reincarnation of midwinter festivals (We will also have passed the winter solstice when the tilt of the earth which blesses us with our seasons, dictates that the sun will rise a little earlier, and set a little later from now until June) which has now become a “forty day sales campaign”.

I will gloss over the significance of the forty day period in various sacred iterations. Last October, the beleaguered president of Venezuela declared that Christmas will start on October 2nd.

As I remarked at the time, Thirsk Garden Centre had already beat him to it! There are some religious traditions that prolong the season to the start of February; at least we by custom remove the tinsel, cards and the wilting needle shedding tree after Twelfth Night. Decorations have all become more elaborate and sophisticated over the years.

No danger of fires caused by old fashioned candles, the ubiquitous LED lights might blow a fuse, or just go harmlessly out when their batteries expire.







(To read the rest of this article go along to your nearest stockist and buy a copy of the paper)