Mission statement

Ok all you Scrooges out there. My mission today is to show why this time of year is so amazing. There may be a fair few of you who dread when the first Christmas song is heard, but there are so many great parts to it.

Remember!

I want everyone to think back long and hard as to how you used to spend your time over Christmas, the good memories you have of Santa Clause, and the magic of the idea of snow arriving Christmas morning. Don’t let the downsides of the time of year let you forget the true meaning, and the wonderment that enthrals throughout. It’s the best time of year – embrace it!

Early start

The worst thing for the shops to do however is to start bringing out the advent calendars and selection boxes in the middle of November, as it only angers those who dread it. A Christmas lover myself, I too believe this is a little bit too early, but I suppose it’s a good idea to start shopping early, as it doesn’t attack the bank balance as hard if it’s all done in stages.

Why people dread Christmas

I can name most reasons why any given human being screams when they realise Christmas is coming. One is of course the amount of money that gets spent overall and there is also the stress of hosting the Christmas dinner on the big day and having to endure family members you have not seen for years. They always ask questions that you don’t wish to answer, as you can’t answer in the way you want to. The ultimate however, mainly for women, is the worry of putting on too much weight. There are the many temptations; Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, chocolate advent calendars and selection boxes, and the many options lining the supermarket shelves as you wander past – there always seems to be so much more there than usual!

True meaning

Most people forget however the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a time of merriment, good will, giving, and the celebration of Christ. It isn’t a time for stress, anxiety, and debt. The religious side of the festival is greatly forgotten, due to the commercialism that surrounds us all. Children become enwrapped with getting the presents they want; therefore it is our job to make sure they remember the meaning behind Christmas.

The best parts

I love it myself, this time of year. The cosy atmosphere of a living room with a hot fire makes me feel safe, whereas the crisp mornings clear my thoughts and help me start a new day. The decorations that line the streets help bring the excitement to your tummy, and keep you company as you walk around shopping at night. When it’s time to decorate the house, my sister and myself jump at the chance to collect the boxes from the attic, and we spend hours setting up the miniature nativity play and placing ornaments on the tree. It’s something we can always do together, and allows us to have fun. The wrapping of presents is something again my sister and I do together. We put on our favourite Christmas films, get out all the wrapping paper and bows, and help each other wrap items if they are a bit difficult. What one of my ultimate favourite things though is when the Christmas adverts appear on television, with the songs – especially the Coca-cola advert: “Holidays are coming, holidays are coming!” It’s only Christmas when this advert comes on – it’s been said by many people.

Own private memories

I have many good memories of Christmas over the years, so I suppose I’ve been very lucky. I would always get the presents I wanted, we could lay down a mince pie and some milk for Santa on Christmas Eve and it would always be gone by morning, and most of all, my family would always be around me on Christmas Day. We’d spend hours together, opening presents, playing games, entertaining each other, and having a laugh. The only bad thing I remember is putting a staple through my finger whilst playing with a new stationery set I’d got that morning.

Changed your mind?

I hope I’ve given you a little food for thought here, and that you’ve been reminded that Christmas isn’t all that bad. I do admit that there is an awful lot of stress brought with it, but the bottom line is, I still find it magical.

1. First, organize with your mates the day and time – and of course, whose house it’s going to be at. We don’t want anyone turning up at the wrong house, arms crammed full of goodies because that’s just unfair.

2. Head to the shops and buy as much junk food as possible. Cram your trolley full! It will all get eaten.

3. Pick up a few chick flicks that you’ve all seen a million times, even if you know the ending off by heart, They are all so good that they never grow old.

4. Stock up on wine (treat yourselves) and tissues for those weepy films.

5. On the night, turn off all mobile phones so there are no interruptions, especially from those men you want to forget.

6. Snuggle on the sofa with pillows and duvets. You’re in for the night so you might as well get comfy – slip on your pj’s and slippers as well.

7. After the tearful films, blast out some girly tunes and have a boogie! It’s time to dance your troubles away.

8. Indulge in the naughty food, and don’t count calories. It’s a one off, and this is a night where stress IS NOT allowed!

9. Talk gossip and boys – your problems are left at the door; none of these are to be brought up, unless of course you think your friends can help you out with advice,

10. Have a pampering session where nails are painted, face masks are applied etc. You’ll feel a million dollars afterwards.

11. Leave the night with a smile on your face! There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be beaming after all of that!

MUSIC AND DANCING RETURNING TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION

High School Musical frenzy

The musical phenomenon is once again creeping into our lives. You can’t go anywhere without hearing about High School Musical and its great success. Not only is it entertaining children, but it is getting them to realize how fun music can be, and how getting involved in dancing is a very popular choice. Dance-a-long versions of the film have been released, to get the children active, along with sing-a-long versions to make them feel involved. High School Musical has been an excellent way to offer young people another choice to rap music, which can bring across dark and dangerous messages occasionally to the younger generation. They are now reminded that life can be fun, and there is another path that they can choose.

Dance mats

On children’s Christmas lists across the country, I can guarantee one certainty will be a dance mat. This item can be plugged into the TV, and children can dance along to their favourite songs, not realizing they are staying active at the same time. There are customized options (again, High School musical has released its own version), so that the children can dance along with their favourite characters. Obesity could be a thing of the past if music and dancing can stay so popular.

Britain’s got talent

A form of dancing was drawn back to our attention through the discovery of George Sampson, a young boy who won ‘Britain’s got talent’ this year. His form of street dancing won over the British public, and he is now appearing in a stage production of ‘Into the hoods’ in the West End until his performance at the Royal Variety later this year. His success at a young age will give encouragement to young people across the country, and show that anything is possible.

Musical adaptations

With musicals such as Hairspray joining the big screen, and winning a ton of awards at the West End, we could be looking at many more being made into films in the coming years. We already have the news of Catherine Zeta Jones taking the lead role in ‘Cleo,’ a musical about Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. One other Broadway musical that has become an on-screen hit (the most successful Hollywood musical of all time to be exact) is ‘Mamma Mia,’ and proves that the exuberant music/dance genre of film has made a comeback in style.

Popularity returning

Being a huge fan of musicals myself, it’s wonderful to see their popularity returning, and the opportunity being given to the younger generation to witness their magic. Children are now being allowed the chance to get involved themselves with the music, which perhaps is even planting the seed in their minds that they too could star in one in the future.

Reasons for escape

With credit crunching, knife crime rising at a dramatic rate, and general depressing events occurring, no one can blame us all for disappearing into the cinema for a few hours and escaping to a land of fun, where people do just burst into song for no reason. Their land is perfect, and everything runs smoothly, compared to the world that we live in. Musicals appear to be here to stay, and I for one am ecstatic about it.