A new festive archway has appeared in the centre of Albert Square – nearly two months before Christmas Day. But is it too early to get into the festive spirit?
Scrooge Becca Sproston argues YES whilst Santa’s Little Helper Ben McCrum argues NO…
Becca Sproston – YES
If Manchester City Council was aiming to bring a festive buzz to Albert Square, they hopelessly failed.
Three interlocking arches intertwined with lights. Sounds cute, right?
In reality, it’s an ugly, uninspiring structure – weirdly nationalistic in its red, white, and blue colours, and as far from Christmassy as you can imagine.
And don’t forget the extension lead dangling mid-air into the town hall to really bring the festive cheer with a touch of DIY gone wrong.
To anticipate the inevitable rebuttal, I’m not a grinch. In fact, I love Christmas. But put up even before Halloween and Fireworks Night? Surely not.
Christmas is a magical time of year – the Manchester Christmas Market opening in mid-November is certainly a source of great excitement.
But it is just that – a time of year.
It’s the anticipation of the coming of December, the buzz around the start of pantomimes, and the gradual drawing in of nights leading up to the big event which makes Christmas so special.
To throw out the pumpkins virtually overnight and forget Fireworks Night altogether
seems rushed and cuts out the good parts of the build up to the festive season.
“Do they know it’s Christmas” – oh but in six weeks time.
And so this lacklustre light sculpture in Albert Square represents the dilution of Christmas magic.
So no, I don’t “wish it could be Christmas every day”.
Ben McCrum – NO
Halloween is over, the days are shorter, and the people of Manchester need something to remind them that ‘Holidays are Coming’.
With the Christmas market still nine days away from opening to the public, something is needed to help us through the gloomy dark days of November.
So when I walked through Albert Square this morning and was greeted by glowing festive fairy lights atop a colourful Christmas creation, I could practically hear the opening tune of ‘Fairytale of New York’.
What was once host to the best Christmas market in the UK is now burdened with construction work as refurbishment of the Town Hall continues, and yet, Albert Square still displays its festive pride.
The towering Christmas archway leaves no doubt to the question ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’ here in Manchester.
Whilst some argue it’s too early to be ‘Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree’, I believe we should ‘Stop the Cavalry’ of Scrooges attacking the square’s new addition and start getting excited for the ‘Wonderful Christmastime’.
In a week burdened by bad news, it’s now time to look forward to ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ – and start dreaming of that ‘White Christmas’.
