Christmas and pressures of commerce

Sir, – Winter’s approach and darkening days make for a tough time for very many citizens, compounded this year by the economic realities of dearer food, fuel, light and shelter.

The approaching Christmas season will load considerably extra emotional stress on many households because of a perceived aspiration to meet all the expectations of the “season of goodwill”.

The advertising and publicity industry has much to answer for in this regard, especially in how it creates and sells the concept of a warm, cosy and enchanting image of Christmas subtly based on having or needing to acquire a particular creation or product, most often aimed at the goodness and love of parents for their children. In this regard families, especially, must somehow be assured that they are party to an unequal and unreasonable dialogue with the sophisticated world of the advertising media.

Families in Ukraine will have a very different perspective and yearning for what would constitute a warm and homely Christmas for them. Contemplating the plight of Ukrainian families and the fierce trauma wrought on their nation since last February has to be a significant antidote to the Christmas we may feel pressured into having this season. – Yours, etc,