I have been wrapping Christmas presents for my small family for 2 days. The annual struggle to think of things they would like or need is over. I do try to put effort into thinking about what I can buy. I am unsure whether my choices will please or go to the present drawer or charity shop. I don't mind that at all. It's just a shame if anyone is disappointed.
Giving presents on special days to people you love is important. It is a way of showing that you care & it is a joy if you can see genuine pleasure in receiving.The problem is we all have so much & there is little we want or need.
Christmas is a ritual, but it is a ritual that many simply cannot afford. There were 4.2 million children living in poverty in the UK in 2021/2022. That is one in three children. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has revealed 1 million children in the UK experienced “horrifying levels of destitution” in 2022. Destitution has almost tripled since 2017– an increase of 186%. According to government figures more than 2 million children are eligible for free school meals in England. This is 23.8% of state school pupils, up from 22.5% in 2022. It all makes me think of Dikensian England.
Christmas is uniquely a Christian celebration, but Hindu's celebrate Diwali, Jews celebrate Hanukkah, both are festivals of lights, Buddhists celebrate Jesus as a teacher. Millions around the world today won't be celebrating anything. They are living in war zones, under dictatorships, suffering poverty, disease & famine. The dichotomy & polarisation is stark, both within our own country & around the world.
Currently politicians are trying to reach agreement on COP28 & the climate emergency, on whether Britain is going to ship refugees & migrants to Rwanda, on what to do to end war in Gaza & Ukraine & the many other areas of conflict in the world.
It's hard to think that presents are important in the present.
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