Pencil It In And Remember. Remember!

Pencil It In And Remember. Remember!

Now, people seem to fall into the trap of commercial buying for an occasion noted in all calendars. Easter Sunday goes chocolate crazy, despite chocolate not being a huge relevance to the day; Mothers and Father’s day results in a soar in cards that wind up in the bin the next week and Shrove Tuesday is implying we can only have pancakes on that particular day.

But there are a couple of occasions which have no effect on us as humans what-so-ever.

Guy Fawkes night, or Bonfire Night, falls on the 5th November and is considered a family day because of the trip to a firework display and a chance to eat a greasy burger from a van that looks like it’s about to explode. An overpriced ticket to see a pile of burning wood, reaching 300 degrees Centigrade, a 30 snooze-fest of awful fireworks and all whilst stood in the absolute freezing cold: oh joy! How on earth is that a “family” day out?! If you have children, it’s even more expensive! Spending extortionate amounts of money on a chance to win a teddy bear by using a plastic rod to catch a plastic duck, really dangerous rides and what’s more, the kids often fall asleep early so you’re wasting your energy by having them in your arms, while they nap quietly on your shoulder. This is simply a day where organisers make the money by charging heavily on items you can buy for much cheaper elsewhere, so if anything it does us more harm than good.

Another occasion that seems prioritised commercially is Halloween. On the last day of October, spoilt children drag their parents out so they can wear a ridiculous attempt at a scary costume, which mainly consists of a bin-liner and a plastic bag for sweets who come knocking on your door acting the nicest you’ve seen them in a long while. The words “trick-or-treat” come out of their mouths and you know that you have to reply with treat otherwise they’ll have your front gates off. Therefore, not only are parents having to spend their precious leisure time escorting them house-to-house but also the home-owners spending precious pennies on multi-packs of sweets for the little angels. It’s a day that although it comes only once a year, like Guy Fawkes Night, you always dread the week before the day.

Not to mention the teenagers who are going out dressed so vulgar and provocative, in pretty much next to nothing and going out and getting as drunk as they possibly can because that’s their idea of a good night. How on earth people choose to celebrate this is an absolute mystery which is probably never going to be solved.

However, there are days which we so look forward to and cherish when they occur. Christmas for example is the one day when every single member of the family are happy with the people they are with – until the in-laws turn up, of course! Presents, Christmas Dinner, Christmas Crackers and the traditional Christmas pudding – the perfect combination. Don’t always rely on Christmas television though, it can be pretty disappointing!

Another day, more favoured by women, is Valentine’s Day. Apparently, the one day where you go all out to prove to your other half how much you adore them and love them – because obviously you can’t do that any other day of the year. Despite that, the restaurants rub their hands together and await the couples looking to kindle, or re-kindle their love for each other.

Card shops are the industry that looks forward to Valentine’s Day the most. The trucks upon trucks of cards that arrive at their store for men to ogle at for what seems like hours, hunting the perfect card for their special girl always work out in the company’s favour. There’s no escape, unfortunately!

Make it a day to cherish with a lovely bunch of flowers, large selection of chocolates and a restaurant that hasn’t recently closed down due to mice infestation. A lovely night for a lovely relationship, but don’t think you only get to do that once a year – it’s just for commercialism!

After last year Sam Mulder makes sure he prepares himself for Valentine ’s Day.  Prepare for the most romantic day of the year with a range of Valentine’s Day gifts for her online. Treat your other half as much as you want, if she deserves it that is!