It's been a few weeks now, but Christmas is sneaking into the shops and shopping centres, into the town centres and even people's homes. Christmas trees are on offer, German ginger bread and the town centres have the Christmas lights up, even though they are not illuminated yet. It's all prepared for the "big bang" at the beginning of December.
Personally, I am not too keen on all the Christmas theme when it screams at you from every corner. Today, at Tesco's, there was a gentle reminder at the front door: a fully decorated Christmas tree and the first aisle contains all the Christmas goodies that end up in the waste bin: wrapping paper, ribbons, bags, bobbles, plastic trees, lights, Christmas cards.
In the evening, we dropped into the new Livingston shopping centre. I must say that the decorations there are just amazing! It is great to see that they take so great care about this. For some reason, however, the decorations don't ooze Christmas! They are simply stunning and I saw a lot of people who photographed each other in front of them. No Christmas music, thanks for that! Just amazing decorations. It's worth going there just to see them!
The problem suppliers face is they have to think about Christmas much earlier in the year. Some people plan for Christmas straight after Easter, and most retail businesses receive their Christmas stock around August time. Whereas the rest of us - consumers - get fed up with Christmas before it has even started, I can understand that the shops want rid of their wares before it is too late.
The shopping centre in Livingston was packed today - even at 5 pm! I suppose, the Christmas shopping has already started, without me even noticing! On TV, some brands reveal that they will start their sales before Christmas so that people can part with their cash well before the end of the year.
With regards to photography: For most photography studios, Christmas is a busy time. I had to think about Christmas in August too. I had to design leaflets, had to contact a distribution company to hand out the leaflets, then arrange an online schedule for my staff to receive the phone calls and so on... The leaflets went out in October. I was a little scared that it had been too late already, but I am thinking from a supplier point of view. In October, we have lovely autumn colours, the first foggy mornings and frosty nights. All the colours are earthy and rich, not green and red and there are certainly no jingle bells!
My trusted lab just confirmed that their last order date for guaranteed Christmas delivery is the 11th December. So I was right on my leaflet: I can only take photographs until around the 5th - 7th December. This will just about give me enough time to edit the images, make them available online, give my clients a few days to order and then I have to speed process the orders for my lab so I can receive them in time for Christmas.
Because of the retail Christmas overload, many people avoid the stress associated with Christmas shopping. They then realise, around the 20th December, they still have to organise some presents. Shops can oblige as they have stock, but we photographers - have hardly any chance to provide any product at that short notice.
So if you do decide to have a portrait taken of your family or your children - there really isn't much time left. Especially with the weekends now filling up with bookings in my studio in Bathgate.
One thing I promise though: There will be no Christmas music, no Christmas tree, no Christmas theme in my studio. Just a relaxed environment, a nice coffee for mum & dad and a fun time for the children.
This reminds me: I have to start thinking about my Christmas presents too....
Enjoy the time in November and December - with lots of autumn and early winter strolls, cold sunshine and crispy trees. :-)
Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 15:31 
