Don’t Panic ! – Oh okay panic.

I do wonder about the human race sometimes, A walk, or should I say jostle through the centre of Inverness during Christmas week, raises a wry smile as I watch the animal instinct within us scurrying about, It’s as if the very survival of the next generation depends on our actions here and now.

People buying Stuff for people, most of which has had little or no thought, as to whether this person actually needs, or even wants the said item. It will probably end up being taken back to the shop at best, or just stuffed into a draw somewhere until that person moves house, where upon the local charity shop will have the unenviable task of trying to resell it, again only to find out that Primark (other discount stores available), were selling them at three for a fiver in the first place.

Then there’s the food. When I was a boy (Yes I know it was a long time ago) My mother used to buy enough food to get us through the next five days. She did this with some Justification, as that’s how long the shops were shut. Now however they only close for a few hours not even days, but still the hunter gatherer goes ballistic, and fills the car to bursting point with enough food, to feed a complete african village for a week, a large proportion of which will end up heading to the nearest landfill.

Now I can here you shouting – “Ba Humbug” but nothing could be further from the truth. Christmas is a time of celebration. but do you really need 140 Satsuma’s to feed 8 people (unless of course your going on a satsuma diet, or planing to eat turkey el orang’e, with that bird which is one down from an ostrich, and has been contributing to climate change in your oven for the last seventeen hours)

I know there are some slight exaggerations here, but it’s not that far from the truth. It is not Christmas I’m having a jibe at. Its our over consumption of just about everything to do with it.

Nice meal drink, good company and laughter (not necessarily in that order) are things that matter, and of course, despite our moaning, life is not to bad here in our western world. Lets be thankful for what we have and give a thought to those who don’t have that choice.

Merry Christmas all and a Healthy and Happy New Year.