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Early Start of Christmas Season Welcomed
Dear Editor,
Reference is made to editorial “Christmas starts now, why wait for December?” (Nov 1). An early start to the season is welcomed. You made reference to the December 21 vote – that resulted in an ongoing conflict that put a damper on the last yuletide season. But some celebrated the fall of the government last December and they considered it their gift for the season. Too many complained about hard times and arrogance of some officials in the government and felt the government needed a wake up call “to pull up its socks”; and that it has been trying real hard to do so but not without more controversy and more pent up feelings.
The real reason to start the early Christmas season (frolicking and shopping for gifts, etc) is to boost the economy. The business community has been complaining that “things are real bad”. Their revenues generation has been down by as much as 50% (small businesses in particular). The Diwali season did not produce the kind of boost in revenue anticipated by the business community; celebrants were smaller this year because of political and economic uncertainty and increased job losses. Government has been unable to turn around the economy.
Businesses need a spurt to the economy. No other extended holiday period exists for the remainder of this year to encourage spending. So it makes sense to begin the Christmas season now.
I travel extensively to study cultures (ethnography), politics, sociology, and development economics. In more and more countries, I find (found) that the Christmas season begins earlier (October) than usual (December) so that the business community can have a longer period to cash in on the year end festivities. It is hoped that extending the annual year end celebrations (when people are in a celebratory Christmas spirit) will encourage people to spend more so as to give a greater bounce to the economy.
A significant portion of GDP is generated during the final month of the calendar year of every nation. The Christmas season (December) is when businesses generate the largest amount of revenues; they tend to hire more staff as well. Thus, it is wise to start Christmas sales earlier than usual; it helps businesses to generate more revenues. It gives a fillip to the overall economy with taxes and employment generation. Everyone benefits from a longer shopping season.
Last year, I was in the UK in early November, and Christmas sales were in full bloom in stores and on the streets. This year, I was in the UK in mid October and shops were already dressed up for the Christmas season. Many stores put out Christmas items to lure shoppers. Last year, I was also in Mexico City in mid November and the city was magnificently decorated for the Christmas season; stores and streets were decked with the annual seasonal decorations. In the UK, last month, stores had on display Christmas trees, decorations, and other related paraphernalia including gifts and there were “sales” on selected clothing. On shelves were Christmas cookies, candies, chocolates, and related snacks. Shops want to get rid of inventories from last year. So they offered “sales” or discounts to get rid of old stocks to make way for new items. In Trinidad, the stores and shopping areas are making a transformation in decorations from Diwali related to Christmas. The people are moving quickly into a holiday spirit.
In so many places I visited in recent years – including Singapore, Malaysia, across Europe, and around the Caribbean – the Christmas season started early in November and even in October. Starting the Christmas season earlier than usual in Guyana is a smart move to ease the tensions in the society that arose out of December 21 of last year. It may also give a boost in sales to the business community and the sagging economy.
Yours Truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram
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