Just a quick blog to wish everybody a merry christmas and a happy new year for 2016.

I have just one observation to make on this year’s christmas and that is the fact it has been the lowest ‘commercial’ christmas season I can ever remember seeing.

Not withstanding the fact that the Christmas Toy Sale took place in July, there has been such a limited cash-in on the season as it drew closer to frutation, at least not on the north side of Brisbane.

Normally we are saturated by ads and promotions for months in advance.   Sometime around Easter we have Christmas trees popping up in every store’s windows or entrance – and the wreaths and things are high up on the walls and seasons long before December arrives.   But not this year.   There was hardly a tree on display in the mall.  There were hardly signs of christmas.   Halloween had a better rap.   It was everywhere.  But not so for Christmas.

in fact, most of the stores were so lacking in christmissee things that one wondred if we had somehow bypassed the entire last three months of the year.  A high number of stores had no displays at all – and those that did may have been better off without having any.   I am afraid a santa hat on a cardboard Storm Trooper didn’t inspire me to run around with a huge smile on my face in anticipation of the events of Dec 25.

Deck the Halls with Holly and the dozens or so other mall christmas favourites didn’t blast out around the aisles … or if they did they really weren’t being played loud enough to grab your attention.

There were not dozens of carolers strolling around in their gowns and holding candles.   More Santa’s than you could through a reindeer at, or charities galore trying to guilt you into giving them money.

It was lovely – it was peaceful – it was relaxing.

But funny enough, for all the lack of commercialisation this year, it is the first year for ages that I have heard so many people saying how much they were looking forward to christmas day this year … to the stuffing themselves silly with too much food … to spending time with their families … and to enjoy the day the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

That’s nice.   That’s lovely … and I hope you and your loved ones feel the same way too.

Well … Merry Christmas once again and I look forward to writing again for you in the new year.

See ya

Tony