Wednesday January 2, 2008, 10:06 pm
Noted! Safeway said they put there Hot Cross out on the first of January every year now. So stupid. Why are people in such a hurry.

Wednesday January 2, 2008, 10:33 pm
Only last week I was joking with the girl at our local IGA that there would be Hot cross Buns and Easter Eggs on the shelf within the month! Thankfully, hasn't happened at that store ..... yet! I think it's disgusting.

Wednesday January 2, 2008, 10:53 pm
Obviously I am not the only one insensed by this gratuitous commercialisation of Christian festivals! Aussies love a long week-end. I hate to put a dampener on that but in all reality if you do not attend church and are not religious, which so many people aren't these days, then you don't need time off to celebrate just having a good time using religious festivals as an excuse. Restructure workplaces so that people get holidays via flexitime so that they can have paid time off. Christmas is losing its message of family values, get togethers and of giving to and helping others in the best of spirits and is now a commercial exercise to make traders and manufacturers a huge income boost in December (and at Easter and every other day that they can put a label on.) There is an undertone of what do I get, I want a bigger/ better one and just plainly ME,ME,ME in many sectors. Children are not being taught any values of decency to others only what's in it for me and I want more. Very sad. What do gifts,hot cross buns and gluttony have to do with Jesus Christ and his birth and death???? Good will to all people everywhere is the message I would like to see spreading for non-religious people (all people) and for them to teach their children how much more they can receive in giving than in getting, especially material possessions that they probably already have too many of any way. To receive the reward of feeling good about yourself for helping those less fortunate simply because you can. I personally have found it is almost inherrent in young children to be generous and help others willingly and all adults need do is nurture and encourage that. It is a much better lesson than how to be greedy and self-obsessed. Thank you Chrissy. For the last few years I have noticed this disgusting encroachment of christmas running into easter,to mother's day,to father's day; just perpetual revenue raising gluttony and miscarriage of decency.

Wednesday January 2, 2008, 11:36 pm
I freely admit that I am not a "Christian", but I have to agree that people have lost sight of what these holidays are about. To me ... being a non-Christian ... Christmas is a time when we should reflect upon the state of the world, peace, harmony and family.

As for the me, me, me attitude, parents make buying for their children at Christmas near impossible. All 7 of our Granddaughters had gift certificates this year, as they get everything they want throughout the year. Nothing for them to look forward to.

Wednesday January 2, 2008, 11:43 pm
I see Valentine's Day stuff out already. Of course, Valentine does come before
Easter. I suppose if I go to the local chain drug store the next time, both
Valentine & Easter goodies will be on the shelves.

Thursday January 3, 2008, 1:01 pm
Every year the stores push the holidays ahead and into each other.
Noted with thanks, Chrissy.

Thursday January 3, 2008, 4:59 pm
I think supermarkets are silly (to put it mildly)
And to think there was a move in Australia to have pharmaceuticals supplied through them, thus cutting out our chemists/pharmacists.... I shudder to think what dangers and ridiculous marketing ploys the public would be subjected to!
Thanks for the story Chrissy.
Cheers, Jenny

Friday January 4, 2008, 3:19 am
It's a marketing tactic to get as much $$ as they can. They tried to bring Father Christmas to the Rockingham shopping centre in July but there was such an outcry from the parents they hi-tailed it out of there, and so they should. Easter is April - not Jan Feb Mar - and should be celebrated only at that time.

Friday January 4, 2008, 3:37 am
Apparently, according to my Dad, Easter is at the "tail end of march this year", with Good Friday being the 21st.

Saturday January 5, 2008, 8:13 am
Hey lets get Christmas over with first! I love Hot Cross Buns but I'd like to digest my Christmas pudding first lol