The Ghost Of Christmases Past

‘All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, my two front teeth; All I want for Christmas is my…’

This was a favourite Christmas song in the 50s, reflecting, to a certain extent, the limited aspiration of the period. If we were to re-write the song to fit Christmas 2011 I wonder what how it would go?

‘All I want for Christmas is a new pair of the latest trainers, a new pair of the latest trainers… All I want for Christmas is the new game Battlefield 3, the new game Battlefield 3…’ The 50s song reflects the time when people actually waited for presents that they wanted – and often needed – but were unable to afford so Santa’s sack at the foot of the bed or the pile of wrapped presents at the bottom of the tree really meant something: That Enid Blyton book that I was dying to read, a book on the latest Hollywood Stars, a pen set or – best of all – a watch. Those of us who are old enough will remember the real joy and delight of the giving and receiving on Christmases gone by.

The sad thing now is that, despite the cuts and the financial situation, most of us never actually want for anything; we have too many things; things that clutter the mantelpiece and wait to be recycled in the latest charity raffle or the high street charity shop. Exotic perfumes that go back to be swapped as soon as the shops open after Boxing Day, the famous red and black underwear (the secret dream of so many lovers) that makes its constant return to the lingerie shop in return for a pair of M&S white knickers, and the plastic toys that join the pile in the toy corner, almost always forgotten in favour of the tin saucepan lids that have an undying attraction for most one-year-olds.

But the tradition of Christmas is worth keeping; we need those breaks in the routine and the family gatherings where we take a bit of a break from life and we think of others, be it family or friends, not to mention the religious significance. Possibly we need a little bit of thinking out side the box (sorry about the pun).

In the pages of this magazine not only are there things and objects advertised but a whole range of activities and shows. Many people are now giving activity presents that have a knock-on effect in that they keep the wheels of commerce turning and to some extent reward those who provide entertainment – either professional or amateur.

Maybe give a present of membership of a club, a fee for an evening class, a year’s membership to Kew Gardens, a manicure/pedicure treat or of becoming a Friend of a gallery or a festival. The list is endless; it just needs a little thought which, I suppose, is the point of Christmas.

But let me return to my original idea. With the expected demise of the National Health Service as a result of government privatisation what a stroke of thought-provoking originality a present of gift coupons to the local Dental Hygienist or better still as many dental implants you can manage in 12 months, would be.

Tony Kane is founder of Time & Leisure Media Group and editor of the Wimbledon, Wandsworth and Putney editions of Time & Leisure Magazine.