In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Some hotels in Bournemouth are already doing Christmas. Trees, decorations, Christmas and Boxing Day dinners!
Coaches driving about with decorations.
I too think its rather sad but apparantly people love it!!!!:wideeyed: me:no:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Sally, I know where you're coming from, honestly, but when I walked passed the store on Thursday evening - a cold, wet night with a real autumnal feel to it - I saw the owner decorating this corner of her shop and it really cheered me up. She admitted she was very keen on Christmas but did also point out that she was doing it for business reasons too hoping to catch some additional trade next weekend as Cetona's a weekenders' village and usually busy on holiday weekends. I think shopkeepers here are concerned and that may explain why another thing I noticed in Rinascente this afternoon were 20% discount signs on the current season's clothing...
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I'm all for Christmas being celebrated in all it's glory despite perhaps the commercial need for it to start earlier and earlier.
Here in Germany the shops are already full of Christmas fayre and the marketeers shall be putting up stall in a couple of weeks.
Television have started their advertising campaigns as per which was usually the first sign that Dec 25th was looming.
With the spirit starting to be knocked out of Christmas in recent years and people finding times harder than ever, beautifully dressed shop windows can help lift the soul and also give children that sense of wonderment that many of us had in the past.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Same of course in London, though as of a couple of days ago Oxford Street seem late actually erecting the street lights. The large Marks and Spencer in Marble Arch externally is covered in huge paper chains. Inside most of the floor is party wear and "ordinary" winter clothing hard to find there as a result. Their Christmas cards have been in stock for six weeks. It's too much. The pressure on parents to buy expensive gifts for their children is horrendous. All for one day.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Re German Christmases, I've seen several signs up locally both in a travel agents and somewhere else (supermarket, I think) advertising coach tours to a couple of places in Germany for the traditional Christmas markets and they're starting soon from what I remember. And the Christmas market (is it from Heidelburg?) comes to Piazza Santa Croce in Florence late November.
Oooh, envy London at Christmas, Sally, great time of year and must try and get there myself this holiday season.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I agree with you, Violetta, this year it has all started earlier. I had a look at the last floor of La Rinascente in Florence, a beautiful display although fairly expensive, I think. At Bagni di Lucca, the "presepi" makers are working very long hours to cope with the demand. Well, at least it is something very traditional and it keeps the old craft alive and well.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Since I posted a couple of weeks back I've seen so many other examples of Christmas appearing early in the shops, more so than ever before. Christmas cards appearing more popular too. Certainly not in the quantities, assortment or price range that you find in Britain or the States, but at least they're available now. Whereas I remember clearly the first Christmas we spent here (1994), it was IMPOSSIBLE to find Christmas cards anywhere. And, yes, aren't the Christmas baubles, etc on sale at la Rinascente pricey?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I also noticed the Christmas Cards, I tried to find some which could be more Italian in their style, but the ones I saw could have been purchased anywhere else in the world. A pity as Italians could do much better but I guess that cards are an international product and perhaps the people who choose the styles can't go beyond the "Buon Natale" message. Perhaps in a few years we shall see some progress. Obviously, it does take some time....
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I'm surprised to see you say that Christmas cards were not available in Italy when you first arrived there in 1994 Violetta. We have always had a plethora of cards arrive on the door mat every year - for at least the past 45 years. Some of the (older) cards have wonderful designs, cut outs and pop ups - there is even one showing a very stylish, handsome (and slender) Father Christmas - how Italian! I'm now the custodian of these old cards and I display them every Christmas alongside the new ones that arrive. They are a lovely reminder of relatives and family friends - some now long gone and very much missed.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
You are so right about the stylish, handsome figure of Father Christmas we used to have when he was just Saint Nicholas and not Santa Claus. Then, they created this caricature which seems to have so many adepts, but I still like my old Saint Nicholas, the gift giver. I have seen some old Christmas cards with that image and also my father used to have some beautiful cards made many years ago in Florence with classical and tasteful Nativity scenes. But these seem to have disappeared, unfortunately. Treasure your cards, juliancoll, I used to keep many as you do, but moving so many times throughout my life I had to get rid of many things I loved.
If anyone is interested in the true story of Saint Nicholas, here is a good link: [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas]Saint Nicholas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/url]
or you can search through Google as there is plenty of information on the subject.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=juliancoll;102265]We have always had a plethora of cards arrive on the door mat every year - for at least the past 45 years. Some of the (older) cards have wonderful designs, cut outs and pop ups - there is even one showing a very stylish, handsome (and slender) Father Christmas - how Italian! .[/quote]
You're very fortunate to receive such lovely cards, I think I can picture the sort you describe and they're still available today, saw some in Florence yesterday but who sent them to you, family or very close friends? We've received so few cards over the years, probably only a handful. And I thought that was pretty normal. We've had plenty of calendars from local shopkeepers, pens, giveaways, etc (I've had a couple already this year) but cards have been few and far between. Presents certainly, poinsettia, that huge cake thing the name of which escapes me now and that we're never able to finish. I suppose the shops will start stocking those soon. Odd how the longer I'm away the more I miss Christmas in England. But I suppose that's just a case of "grass always appearing greener" and I'd probably hate it if I were there... V
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I must have missed the Xmas cards in Florence for about a week. I was really looking forward to sending something different to family and friends this year! Well, Spanish cards are quite nice, so this is it. What I really love is the Italian tradition of the "presepi". We talked about this last year, particularly about the ones which are made at Bagni di Lucca and Naples. There is a thread on the subject.
I found the "presepe" that my neighbours gave me as a Christmas gift last year. I really treasure it. Here is the link, it is the AB C02:
[url=http://www.artebarsanti.it/3.htm]Arte Barsanti - Catalogo On Line[/url]
Throughout November and December there is an exhibition of "presepi" at Bagni di Lucca. A worthwhile visit if you are around.
Pretty as it may be Violetta, sad at the same time I feel.