'It's Cliched to Be Cynical at Christmas* . . .'

Charles Dickens has a lot to answer for. 

There, I thought I'd get the humbug out the way, and then move on. Posted below are links to a selection of Christmas-related articles that have appeared in the Socialist Standard (and elsewhere) down the years. Dive head first into a Christmas box selection of articles about the historical origin of Christmas, humorous short stories involving Santa and his non-unionised and over-worked elves, and caustic commentary about rampant consumerism, I'm sure you'll agree that, unlike a tin of Quality Street in 2024, there's something here for everyone.

It's interesting to note that Christmas related articles were scarce on the ground in the early decades of the Socialist Standard. You have to wonder why: A conscious decision on the part of the Editorial Committee, or just an acknowledgement that Christmas wasn't that big a deal back in the day? I know that my Grandparents would work a half day on Christmas Day, but that was in Glasgow and New Year's Eve was always the bigger deal back then. Alcoholic spirits trumped Scalextric sets.

*And what's with the title of this post? Just another Half Man Half Biscuit modern classic.

Dec 1922: Christmas Shops by Alex Anderson

Dec 1948: Just Once A Year by Bill Waters

Dec 1954: A Slight Christmas Carol by Robert Barltrop (Short Story)

Dec 1965: Christmas, past and present by Bill Waters

Dec 1965: Christmas —the great delusion by Ivan

Dec 1969: Socialists and Christmas

Dec 1979: Festival of fools by Steve Coleman

Dec 1980: How to survive Christmas by Ivan

Dec 1981: Ghost of Christmas past by Ivan (Short Story)

Dec 1983: Having a rotten Christmas by Ivan (Short Story)

Dec 1986: Toys Galore: A Story for Girls and Boys by Ron Cook (Short Story)

Dec 1986: Xmas eve at the grotto by Tone (Short Story)

Dec 1987: Season of Goodwill

Dec 1988: Editorial: The Alternative Queen’s Speech

Jan 1991: Had a happy christmas? by Dave Coggan

Dec 1991: Editorial: Festival of Commerce

Dec 1991: Between the Lines: Humbug! by Steve Coleman (TV Review)

Dec 1995: The ghost of Christmas yet to come by Steve Coleman (Short Story)

Dec 1997: The Last Word: Why Santa should get stuffed by Steve Coleman

Dec 2010: Santa’s New Clauses (Short Story)

Dec 2020: Merry Christmas? by Dave Coggan

Dec 2021: Proper Gander: Capturing The Christmas Spirit by Mike Foster (TV Review)

Dec 2021: Stamping Out Capitalism by Dave Coggan

Socialism or Your Money Back blog

Dec 2006: Christmas Musings by John Bissett