Merry Holiday Christmas Shopping in the UK!

 

Nestle Quality Street Since 1936, Premium Assorted Gourmet Chocolates in Metal Gift Tin, 900gramsFirst they came for the meat: “A [London ] university has banned the sale of beef in campus food outlets in order to help tackle the climate emergency“; “Could Scotland Ban Meat? Parliament Considers Petition to Transform the Food System.

But many of my neighbors raise and process their own pigs, beef, and chickens and are happy to share the results with me,  so I paid no attention.

Then they came for the soft drinks and the potato chips: “Promotions on food and drinks high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) in retailers will be restricted from April 2022, the government has confirmed today.

But I almost never eat or drink such things, so I ignored it.

Then they came for the eggs: “UK egg shortage reported by suppliers as supermarkets keep quiet.”

But I have Mrs. Precious Ramotswe, Alakai Bekhi, and Co, who keep me well supplied, so I’m all set.

Then they came for the Christmas chocolates: “Shops BANNED from displaying junk food near entrances and tills from today.”

But I get my Quality Street fix** on Amazon, so I didn’t mind.

Then they came for the alcohol: “Activists seek to block Christmas displays of alcohol in the supermarket.

THAT’S IT! Now I’m [expletive]! Where do I go to complain?

Oh, wait. I’m in the US.

Never mind.

As goofy–some might say depraved–as this country can be/has become, we’re still not as detached from reality and the finer things in life as our friends across the Pond.

Not quite yet, anyway.

Happy Holidays!

Norman Rockwell, Freedom from Want (1943). Norman Rockwell Museum Collections.

**With the requisite supplemental order of “The Purple Ones,” of course.

(This post was inspired by a Telegraph article indicating that yet another of my childhood memories–Bonfire Night on November 5, together with its accompanying fireworks–will soon be consigned to the ash heap of history.

Councils and charities have called off some of the biggest and most popular Guy Fawkes parties. Some are blaming the cost of living crisis (Nottingham simply said it couldn’t afford the event’s £30,000 price tag) but others say that bonfires and fireworks just aren’t compatible with net zero and the fight against climate change. Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Cardiff and Nottingham are among cities that won’t be putting on official displays tonight.

Unsurprisingly, in light of the killjoy activities of the “authorities,” at-home sales of fireworks are booming (so to speak), up 50 percent from last year alone.  (Don’t expect such things to be permitted for much longer, either, She said….)

For a bit more on the history of Guy Fawkes and Bonfire night, and some of my own memories, see here: An Elimination Thought Experiment, Courtesy of Guy Fawkes.)

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  1. She Member
    She
    @She

    Full disclosure: I was supposed to be hosting a “Bonfire Night” party at Chez She this evening, but I called it off due to the very recent death of a very dear friend  and because I’m just not quite feeling up to a celebration at the moment.  But I’m going out tonight, once it gets dark–even if I have to do so by myself–with some sparklers and a few fireworks, just to make a point.

    • #1
  2. Marjorie Reynolds Coolidge
    Marjorie Reynolds
    @MarjorieReynolds

    We don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes night or Thanksgiving here of course so once Halloween is over the shops and TV are in full on Christmas Campaign mode. It’s obscene but as a Christmas lover I’m able to tune it out.
    I’m hoping to have my outdoor nativity scene making its debut in my garden this December. I had no garden until this year so my poor figurines have been huddled in an attic for the past 5 years as if they were hiding from Herod.

     

    • #2
  3. She Member
    She
    @She

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    We don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes night or Thanksgiving here of course so once Halloween is over the shops and TV are in full on Christmas Campaign mode. It’s obscene but as a Christmas lover I’m able to tune it out.
    I’m hoping to have my outdoor nativity scene making its debut in my garden this December. I had no garden until this year so my poor figurines have been huddled in an attic for the past 5 years as if they were hiding from Herod.

    Oh, I hope all goes well and that you can liberate your nativity scene for the enjoyment of all!

    • #3
  4. Marjorie Reynolds Coolidge
    Marjorie Reynolds
    @MarjorieReynolds

    She (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    We don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes night or Thanksgiving here of course so once Halloween is over the shops and TV are in full on Christmas Campaign mode. It’s obscene but as a Christmas lover I’m able to tune it out.
    I’m hoping to have my outdoor nativity scene making its debut in my garden this December. I had no garden until this year so my poor figurines have been huddled in an attic for the past 5 years as if they were hiding from Herod.

    Oh, I hope all goes well and that you can liberate your nativity scene for the enjoyment of all!

    Well I’m no good at anything DIY related but I’m blessed to know a Polish man who can do absolutely everything. He built a beautiful stone wall for me earlier this year and now he’s designing what he calls the baby Jesus house. So it’s looking good for this year. 
    The liberation from the attic to final destination began last week:

    • #4
  5. Sisyphus Member
    Sisyphus
    @Sisyphus

    Guy Fawkes Day is well celebrated in Colonial Williamsburg where, being firmly in the 1774-1776 time frame, it involves interesting tensions.

    • #5
  6. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    She (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    We don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes night or Thanksgiving here of course so once Halloween is over the shops and TV are in full on Christmas Campaign mode. It’s obscene but as a Christmas lover I’m able to tune it out.
    I’m hoping to have my outdoor nativity scene making its debut in my garden this December. I had no garden until this year so my poor figurines have been huddled in an attic for the past 5 years as if they were hiding from Herod.

    Oh, I hope all goes well and that you can liberate your nativity scene for the enjoyment of all!

    Well I’m no good at anything DIY related but I’m blessed to know a Polish man who can do absolutely everything. He built a beautiful stone wall for me earlier this year and now he’s designing what he calls the baby Jesus house. So it’s looking good for this year.
    The liberation from the attic to final destination began last week:

    I would have assumed being an angel meant you didn’t have to wear a seatbelt, but I suppose obedience is still a thing. 

    • #6
  7. Marjorie Reynolds Coolidge
    Marjorie Reynolds
    @MarjorieReynolds

    TBA (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    She (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    We don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes night or Thanksgiving here of course so once Halloween is over the shops and TV are in full on Christmas Campaign mode. It’s obscene but as a Christmas lover I’m able to tune it out.
    I’m hoping to have my outdoor nativity scene making its debut in my garden this December. I had no garden until this year so my poor figurines have been huddled in an attic for the past 5 years as if they were hiding from Herod.

    Oh, I hope all goes well and that you can liberate your nativity scene for the enjoyment of all!

    Well I’m no good at anything DIY related but I’m blessed to know a Polish man who can do absolutely everything. He built a beautiful stone wall for me earlier this year and now he’s designing what he calls the baby Jesus house. So it’s looking good for this year.
    The liberation from the attic to final destination began last week:

    I would have assumed being an angel meant you didn’t have to wear a seatbelt, but I suppose obedience is still a thing.

    Well at least he had a seat. Mary was in the boot.

    • #7
  8. Hang On Member
    Hang On
    @HangOn

    It will be a joyous day when they start coming for the politicians and White Hall. Where’s Guy Fawkes when you need him?

    • #8
  9. colleenb Member
    colleenb
    @colleenb

    I’m Catholic but I’d light a Guy Fawkes bonfire if I was in Britain. It’s tradition dang it. ‘Climate changers’ are such whiny buzzkills.

    • #9
  10. Marjorie Reynolds Coolidge
    Marjorie Reynolds
    @MarjorieReynolds

    colleenb (View Comment):

    I’m Catholic but I’d light a Guy Fawkes bonfire if I was in Britain. It’s tradition dang it. ‘Climate changers’ are such whiny buzzkills.

    I prefer a bonfire on St John’s Night myself. 

    • #10
  11. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    There are two types of people in the world: those who mind their own business and those who mind everyone else’s business but their own. If only we could cordon off the two groups somehow. The people in the latter group could bother each other but leave the rest of us alone. :)

    • #11
  12. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Good grief.  Maybe the UK ought to just outlaw the sale of food, period.  Everyone should just get an identical delivery of groceries from the government each week, the contents determined by a board of dieticians.

    Several years ago the late science fiction author Kage Baker had a story set in the future of England that featured dairy smugglers, as I recall.  How did she know?

    • #12
  13. Charles Mark Member
    Charles Mark
    @CharlesMark

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    We don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes night or Thanksgiving here of course so once Halloween is over the shops and TV are in full on Christmas Campaign mode. It’s obscene but as a Christmas lover I’m able to tune it out.
    I’m hoping to have my outdoor nativity scene making its debut in my garden this December. I had no garden until this year so my poor figurines have been huddled in an attic for the past 5 years as if they were hiding from Herod.

     

    Will you be using any live animals Marjorie?

    https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mansion-house-live-crib-cancelled-for-the-first-time-in-almost-30-years-1384124.html

    • #13
  14. Marjorie Reynolds Coolidge
    Marjorie Reynolds
    @MarjorieReynolds

    Charles Mark (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    We don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes night or Thanksgiving here of course so once Halloween is over the shops and TV are in full on Christmas Campaign mode. It’s obscene but as a Christmas lover I’m able to tune it out.
    I’m hoping to have my outdoor nativity scene making its debut in my garden this December. I had no garden until this year so my poor figurines have been huddled in an attic for the past 5 years as if they were hiding from Herod.

     

    Will you be using any live animals Marjorie?

    https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mansion-house-live-crib-cancelled-for-the-first-time-in-almost-30-years-1384124.html

    Of course they did. 

    • #14
  15. colleenb Member
    colleenb
    @colleenb

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    colleenb (View Comment):

    I’m Catholic but I’d light a Guy Fawkes bonfire if I was in Britain. It’s tradition dang it. ‘Climate changers’ are such whiny buzzkills.

    I prefer a bonfire on St John’s Night myself.

    How about both?

    • #15
  16. She Member
    She
    @She

    Oh!  I am delirious with joy!  Look what has just arrived:

    I decided to open it.  Although (I swear) I’m closing it right back up again until Christmas:

    So gorgeous.  So glorious!  Colored foil and cellophane!  (Although I do note the dearth of “The Purple Ones” in comparison with everything else, a dearth which began during a period of “COVID” deprivation (doesn’t everything?) and which continues to this day.)

    I was proud to be a Brit the morning in June of 2016 that I woke up and found that “Brexit” had passed.  But I may never have been prouder than the day, late in November of 2020. that I woke up to find that Stephen Hull, the head of digital ITV News, had posted this Tweet:

    “Inequality Street.” LOL.

    My own “Quality Street” story dates back a few more years, to that day I first decided to recapture the delight of my childhood by ordering a tub of the chocolates for Christmas.  They arrived.  I put them up on a shelf in the utility room, about six feet off the floor, and forgot about them, intending to bring them out on Christmas day as a lovely treat.

    ….

    A week or so later, I was pooper-scooping on behalf of the dogs, outside.  Everything was going as planned, until I noticed some iridescent and very attractive gleaming bits in that which I was scraping up.

    “Hmm.”  I thought.  “How pretty.”

    Sometimes it takes me a while.

    At some point, horrified, I thought, “Oh! No!”

    Oh!  Yes!

    Levi and Xena had somehow managed to dislodge my approximately 2.2lb (1kg) box of much loved treats from the six-foot-high shelf, had removed the tape holding the lid on, and had consumed the entire box of holiday chocolates, wrappers and all.

    It did them no harm.  (I was panicked for a while, then I recollected that–between them–we were looking at about 300lbs of dog, and that the proportion of actual chocolate (which is very bad for dogs) in a 2.2lb box of what also included toffees, cremes, truffles, caramels, nuts, and several other sugary masterpieces to boot, probably wasn’t of a proportion high enough to do them all that much damage.)

    And so it proved.

    • #16
  17. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    ~exults in his siphoned-off purple ones~

    #theonepercent 

    • #17
  18. Sisyphus Member
    Sisyphus
    @Sisyphus

    There is deviltry afoot. Someone check Charley Three’s stash. 

    • #18
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