Joyce Fegan: We could lift Christmas spirits by reducing our Hallmark expectations

We don't have to give each other an orange for Christmas, but maybe if we cooled the jets a bit and took this much-needed festival back from what advertising Inc says it should be

Christmas is a heavily polished ad that we must now act out accordingly.

The pressure is on Christmas. Don your matching festive PJs, get the group photo under the tree. Nab yourself a sequin-laced Christmas jumper. Visit a Christmas tree farm, à la every American Christmas movie you’ve ever seen. Max the credit card. Dress a child up as Santa or a snowman. Accept every social invitation extended. Put antlers on your car. 

Play Christmas songs only, on the kitchen radio between now and December 25. Google new traditions you can create. Scan Pinterest for new craft projects you can make. Buy every deal Lidl, Tesco, SuperValu, Dunnes and Aldi have to offer. Out-compete the neighbours and make your house visible from outer space. Make your own mulled wine. Make a mince pie part of your five-a-day. Attempt to gather and convene lineages of extended family, regardless of any pre-existing politics. Paint it picture perfect.