Art
– Culture – Entertainment (A.C.E) NOV 2013
Pollyanne Trapmore-Shaw
Self confessed culture-vulture and dog lover!
@PresentDayPolly
Front of House, Promotions
and Gallery Curator at the Embassy Theatre, Skegness.
“What if Christmas, doesn't
come from a store.
What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”
With
Christmas fast approaching we are all now wading knee deep through of a blanket
of thick fake snow which appeared with beautifully timed precision on our high
streets, TV screens and inboxes on November 6th – as predicted I
find myself cooing over shelves and shelves of beautifully packaged gifts
feverishly filling my basket overcome by the Christmas music and nostalgic
imagery flooding my senses. I get to the counter and as it is all rung through
I fight the realisation that almost all of it is quite unnecessary overpriced
tat! Do I make a stand? Do I return said tempting, seductive trinkets stoically
to their shelves waiting for the next poor sap to come and spend a hard-earned
fortune on them....nope I supersize my haul by also buying a
one-off-never-to-be-repeated HALF PRICE plush toy (how could I refuse such a
deal!) then run home as fast as I can with my chattels- super smug and content
that everyone will covet them as much as I.
Does that sound all too familiar or is
it just me? Anyhow, this year I’m in the mind of taking my time to be satisfied
that I have got each gift for the right reasons and if the inspiration doesn’t
present itself then I shan’t be filling my basket in blind panic (see my annual
trip to Harrods above) full of stuff I know you
like but don’t really want . This is by
no means a slur or judgement on the thought process and warm-hearted generosity
of buying or giving as the old saying goes – it is the thought that counts –
the product itself is secondary.
Around the
district there are numerous Christmas gift, craft, arts and charity fairs
whereby-an-large all the goods are created, sold and presented with a very
personal element or with specific sentiment in mind. There’s a lot to be said
for supporting these local craft makers, artists and fundraisers; buying cards
for charity, homemade jams, jellies, sweets and preserves, selecting something
a bit special – a painting, a piece of pottery, glass sculpture knowing that
you have selected direct from source and in doing so have unwittingly made a
connection with its creator - after all most of us get our pleasure from buying
for others so make it a just that rather than a chore. Not all homemade or shop
bought goods suit everyone’s taste either so perhaps a charity
sponsorship/donation in their name or even the effort to have a photo or piece
of memorabilia that is dear to them thoughtfully restored or framed.
Just to give
you a taste; inset is a brief listing of Craft, Art & Christmas Fairs in
and around the district that you might want to visit; I’m sure there are plenty
of others in your community too check out local notice boards in your
town/village.
If fresh ideas
are not forthcoming in a material sense why not take inspiration from the
poetry of Dr. Seuss. Give someone an
experience; a day out, a trip to the Theatre or Pantomime, a meal out with
friends or simply spend time with them doing something you know they’ll enjoy in
your company or that of friends.
“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.”
Now I realise
how idealistic and smug this may read but just like the “Grinch” perhaps it’s all that we need?
Trust me this
written very tongue-in-cheek – besides I did most of my shopping at Home
Bargains last week!
Merry
Christmas to you all; however you choose to spend it.
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