Let’s return to Christmas past
■ PAUL Routledge’s post-war reminiscences reminded me of my own festive memories. He’s right about Christmas then being about “enough” and not “too much”.
Today’s mums and dads seem to think they are stocking up for a siege rather than a weekend’s shopping. Supermarkets feverishly refill shelves with many goods in larger sizes and quantities than normal, encouraging us to buy more than we need – and succeeding as far as I can see.
Then we are straight into the madness of the post-Christmas sales. As Paul said, it is all just a bit too much.
Brian Davies
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
■ I agreed with what Paul Routledge said about Christmas being “too much” these days. Too much food, too much drink, too many toys for the children. Families put themselves into debt they have to pay off all year just for one day. Is it worth it? I would say no.
When I was young we only got one or two presents, but we were happy. Christmas was about being surrounded by all the family, eating a turkey dinner and then playing party games.
It was good, simple fun and I still have some very fond memories.
Patricia Smith Carlisle, Cumbria
■ This Christmas no doubt has been a sombre affair for many. Although I have a roof over my head and food on the table, I think of the millions of British people far less fortunate. It brings tears to my eyes, reminding me of the poverty after the Second World War when I was born.
However, there was a reason for poverty then but there can be no excuse for the hardship today when you consider Britain has the fifth largest economy in the world.
Yet, thanks to 10 years of Toryism, we have record homelessness and child poverty.
This is certainly not the country I grew up in and loved as a child. The problem with Britain today is it’s run by the greedy for the greedy. Bill Cook, Teignmouth, Devon
■ There are hundreds of families dreading Christmas this year because they are homeless and simply don’t have money to buy presents or have a Christmas meal.
Many are suffering mental health problems and aren’t getting the help they need.
It seems we live in a country with a Government that cares more for the rich and a lot less for the needy – and it gets worse by the day. God help us all.
D Baston, Stockport, Gtr Manchester
■ I fear the true meaning of the season has been lost. The cost of toys is astronomical and no child in this day and age will be satisfied with just one gift.
When I was a child, Christmas was about spending time with family, party games, good food, and a bit of telly. We did get presents but the gifts were not as important as the time spent together.
Get rid of one-upmanship and bring back the old values. Jacquelyn Allsop Lowestoft, Suffolk
■ It seems to me we’ve forgotten what Christmas should really celebrate. It should not be about how much money you can spend and how much you can eat and drink. I remember just an apple and orange hanging in one of dad’s socks and, if I was lucky, a silver three penny piece. And if I was really lucky a whip and top or a skipping rope. But I was happy. Brian Whipps, via email