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When it comes to the blatant commercialisation of Christmas, local dad, Peter Smythe (43) says there’s only one thing he hates more than the ‘Xmas’ abbreviation.
No, it’s not people saying ‘Happy Holiday’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas’ – but yes, that riles him up too.
It’s not this new push to eat seafood instead of turkey on the 25th of December – but yes that also makes his blood boil.
“It’s these fake bloody trees you see everyone getting” he says to a couple neighbours, over a few Budweisers during a street Christmas party last night.
“In my opinion, if you are putting up a Christmas tree, it should be a real one. It’s always been that way”
It’s for this reason that Peter and his two kids, Daisy (4) and Stan (7) are driving 60 kilometres out of town this arvo, to pick up a REAL Christmas tree.
Like the ones you see covered in snow in the American movies.
Usually an evergreen conifer, such as a spruce, pine or fir – the idea of a Christmas tree originates in Northern Europe – but has infiltrated Australian culture to the point of them needing to be absolutely mandatory – through the Village Roadshow Christmas movies like Home Alone that used to be broadcasted every December back when free-to-air TV was popular.
However, as Pete points out… It’s a bloody shame if you are going to go the easy route and get a fake one that you can re-use every year.
“YEAH CAN I BRING THE CAR IN HERE MATE” says Pete in an overly blokey tone to the old codger whose making a killing at the gate of his Christmas tree salesyard in the regional outskirts of town.
“YEAH JUST THROUGH THERE MATE THEN CHUCK A U-BANGER UP THERE” the old codger shouts back.
“YEAH CHEERS MATE, THANKS MATE, WANNA BLOODY SHOW THE KIDS A REAL AUSSIE CHRISTMAS MATE” says Pete.
“YEAH NO WORRIES BLOKE! ONLY 100% MISSOURI PINE HERE. $100 BUCKS AND YOU CAN TAKE WHATEVER ONE YOU WANT”
“$50 FOR THE MORE BANGED UP ONES UP FRONT”
