Fathers' Day is fast approaching....Sunday 17th of June if you need reminding. I wonder why we feel the need to rush out and buy presents on these occassions. I remember (yes i know i sound old) when it was just xmas valentines, mothers day and fathers day; nowadays there are so many 'days' - Grandparents day, Nurses and Carers day, Easter Cards etc etc .... what will come next?


I have worked in the retail management field for a long time and can see the trends of these start earlier every year, normally cadburys cream eggs come into store on 27th december (seriously) and you can now buy mince pies ALL YEAR ROUND! Schoolwear launches in most clothing retailers in the next few weeks - (you can buy an entire school outfit now at George for less than £10!!) but the reasons we celebrate these occassions and start seasonal trends earlier and earlier is because we are pursueded that we can! Retailers cant be blamed for wanting to get a head start on their competitors in this increasingly competitive environment (if they dont do it someone else will)

There is also an element of peer pressure - feeling obliged to conform, to buy the card or present, and to 'keep up with the Jones's'. Why should we wait until a nominated day to tell our partner / parents/ children that we love them? I remember when my Dad was very ill shortly before he died that i couldnt remember the last time i told him i loved him; so each time I saw him in the weeks before he passed away i told him just that. I didnt want him to go without hearing that from me - and i tell my daughter every day the same thing.

We feel obliged now to wear the latest style jeans, or buy CDs of the latest cool band, all this points to the fact we are followers and not leaders in life / the sheep and not the shepherds.

Individuality is not crime! So live your life how YOU want to live it and NOT the way you feel people EXPECT you to live it.

James
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