5 January - NO NO NO NO NO - Say No to Greed

But let me first begin with, YES.

Yes, this is going to be one ‘ranty’ blog post today.

Yes, I am now angry.

This photo was taken today. Today. 5th January. 5 days after the beginning of the new year, and we are barely even getting over the hangover of the Christmas ‘Season’ (And dont even get me started on how long THAT shemozzle  goes for). And to be perfectly honest, since today is the first time Ive stepped into a supermarket SINCE the new year, Im not entirely convinced this is even new. This display is likely already 4 days old at least.

Now, let me begin (again) with the following thought.

Easter is in March (or sometimes April). I wont go into details about WHY the date changes, suffice to say, it has a lot to do with lunar cycles, various determinations of different calendars, and most likely, the arguments and opinions of some highly intelligent people from long long ago.

My point is, Easter is in March (April). It is preceded by Lent, which is a 40 day period of fasting. Take that into consideration for a moment. There are at minimum FORTY DAYS before Easter even starts. And this 40 day period begins on Ash Wednesday. Which can be at its EARLIEST on the 4th February. Mind you an early start like this hasnt happened since 1818 and wont happen again until 2285. So its safe to say, Ash Wednesday (the START of the 40 days before Easter remember) is not going to be until late Feb/Early March.

Now, Dont get out your calculators (or smartphones with a cool app for these kinds of things) – I’ll gladly do the math for you…. today is 5th January. So we likely have 6 weeks or so until its even FORTY DAYS BEFORE Easter (given that previously I explained Ash Wednesday to be likely end Feb/Early March). Add those 40 days, and we have somewhere around 80-85 days until Easter.

So Why oh Why would the Supermarkets possibly think its alright to place Easter Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs, along with cute little Easter Bunny Cutouts with fluffy cottonball tails, out for sale in the FIRST WEEK of the year?

Greed. Commercialism. Capitolism. And did I mention Greed. Cashing in on a religious symbolism that doesnt occur for at least another 80 days, in the name of making a few extra dollars.

Greed. Thats what Im angry with today.

The Supermarkets have a lot to answer for. But ruining the ‘ceremony’, the ‘tradition’ and the air of excitement surrounding Easter is one they could well do without.

How the hell are we as parents supposed to get the kids excited about Easter, when by the time it actually arrives, they will have seen Easter Bunnies, Buns and Eggs on the shelves for months.

They will be over it before it even begins. I know I will be. And im barely even over Christmas.