Some of the community clubs have Diwali decorations. Some to the office blocks already have Xmas decorations.
Problem
Christmas cakes are on the shelves already in Bukit Panjang at the Fairprice supermarket, Fairprice Finest food.
Why are we being pressurized into buying? I admit that at times it can be an advantage.
I remember one year I was flying from London, England, to Singapore the month before Xmas and I was asked to take a Christmas cake from Marks & Spencers in London to Singapore.
I did not want to leave shopping until the last minute. I emailed back with lots of queries. Do you want a round cake or oblong? Do you want the cheaper plain iced top which we can decorate ourselves? If so, do you want me to buy or bring with a set of Xmas cake decorations. Would you prefer a cake with decorations on top?
Are you sure you want only the traditional English fruit cake? Do you want one with alcohol it in- which preserves cake but costs extra? Do you want one with a hidden imitation silver sixpence or lucky charm, which costs extra?
Cake Weight
How big a cake do you want? The largest cake takes me over the airline's suitcase weight limit.
Which of the other umpteen items can you forego instead of the heavy cake? Cake or heavy wine bottle or the heavy pair of shoes - which is it?
Check Use By Dates
I went straight to my nearest supermarket and was delighted to find the Xmas cakes already on sale. Unfortunately, when I checked the use by dates, the cake had to be used before Xmas day! So I checked every day until the day of departure, hoping the next delivery would have a later use by date.
What else do you want? Christmas theme plastic tableloth? Xmas theme table napkins? Wrapping paper and bows? Xmas cards with Victorian snow scenes? A banner to strong across the ceiling? A wreath for the door?
Xmas Crackers
Xmas crackers are essential - but I can't pack ones with the snap - they are banned for risking causing in flight explosion. I have empty crackers from previous years - I can stick the outsides together with tape and insert tiny toys or gifts and folded paper hats.
As American Benjamin Franklin said, so much to do, so little time. The shops need to stock up early, find out the best-sellers, and re-stock ready for the last minute panic.
Now you know why Christmas comes so early in Singapore. The same applies in England and the rest of the world.
Finally, what about buying gifts which have to be posted? Those post early for Christmas dates will soon be ready to warn us when to post to our friends overseas to be sure that the gifts arrive in time.
As for me, what do I want for Christmas? For those of us who procrastinate, now is a good time to be thinking about what I want for Christmas. Christmas lists on line? Most major companies have wishlists.
Christmas Gifts
What about secret Santa presents at clubs? It's good to have a few extra presents ready for unexpected guests and parties where everybody is invited to bring a gift.
What else need we do in a hurry? Final date for the British tax return. If I can get Xmas preparation out of the way, I shall have more time for all those renewals, and the following new year's resolutions.
New Year
What was last year's New Year's Resolution? Didn't I make one about preparing earlier for Christmas?
Author, Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
Seasonal decorations in Singapore, November 2018. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.
Problem
Christmas cakes are on the shelves already in Bukit Panjang at the Fairprice supermarket, Fairprice Finest food.
Why are we being pressurized into buying? I admit that at times it can be an advantage.
I remember one year I was flying from London, England, to Singapore the month before Xmas and I was asked to take a Christmas cake from Marks & Spencers in London to Singapore.
I did not want to leave shopping until the last minute. I emailed back with lots of queries. Do you want a round cake or oblong? Do you want the cheaper plain iced top which we can decorate ourselves? If so, do you want me to buy or bring with a set of Xmas cake decorations. Would you prefer a cake with decorations on top?
Are you sure you want only the traditional English fruit cake? Do you want one with alcohol it in- which preserves cake but costs extra? Do you want one with a hidden imitation silver sixpence or lucky charm, which costs extra?
Cake Weight
How big a cake do you want? The largest cake takes me over the airline's suitcase weight limit.
Which of the other umpteen items can you forego instead of the heavy cake? Cake or heavy wine bottle or the heavy pair of shoes - which is it?
Check Use By Dates
I went straight to my nearest supermarket and was delighted to find the Xmas cakes already on sale. Unfortunately, when I checked the use by dates, the cake had to be used before Xmas day! So I checked every day until the day of departure, hoping the next delivery would have a later use by date.
What else do you want? Christmas theme plastic tableloth? Xmas theme table napkins? Wrapping paper and bows? Xmas cards with Victorian snow scenes? A banner to strong across the ceiling? A wreath for the door?
Xmas Crackers
Xmas crackers are essential - but I can't pack ones with the snap - they are banned for risking causing in flight explosion. I have empty crackers from previous years - I can stick the outsides together with tape and insert tiny toys or gifts and folded paper hats.
As American Benjamin Franklin said, so much to do, so little time. The shops need to stock up early, find out the best-sellers, and re-stock ready for the last minute panic.
Now you know why Christmas comes so early in Singapore. The same applies in England and the rest of the world.
Finally, what about buying gifts which have to be posted? Those post early for Christmas dates will soon be ready to warn us when to post to our friends overseas to be sure that the gifts arrive in time.
As for me, what do I want for Christmas? For those of us who procrastinate, now is a good time to be thinking about what I want for Christmas. Christmas lists on line? Most major companies have wishlists.
Christmas Gifts
What about secret Santa presents at clubs? It's good to have a few extra presents ready for unexpected guests and parties where everybody is invited to bring a gift.
What else need we do in a hurry? Final date for the British tax return. If I can get Xmas preparation out of the way, I shall have more time for all those renewals, and the following new year's resolutions.
New Year
What was last year's New Year's Resolution? Didn't I make one about preparing earlier for Christmas?
Author, Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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