As Hollywood sentimentalism likes to remind us, "Christmas is a time for giving"; the toy industry takes the bait!

     I was out shopping for birthday presents for my soon-to-be three year old today.  It's the school holidays here in France but, fortunately, most parents found better things to do with their time than to take their children to the local toy shop.

   I was carrying out a second visit after a prior perusal, two days before, had left me empty-handed and with no clearer idea as to what to buy.  This time, however, I was accompanied by my eldest daughter whose five-year-old wisdom served as a counter-balance to my dithering-parent syndrome. 

   My first visit had been a waste of time because the staff were still busily preparing the shelves with every possible toy, gadget, puzzle or game available.  I was surprised, therefore, to be greeted by a new display piece when I returned this afternoon: the Playmobil Nativity Scene and various Advent Calendar products by Playmobil and Lego Friends.     

Playmobil commercializes the real meaning of Christmas.  It's a start?

     As a practising Catholic, I am unsure of what to feel when I see such products on sale.  Happiness: for the first time in so many years, the real story behind Christmas is being represented publicly.  Resignation: this Christian-orientated product was hanging right next to boxes of Father Christmas figurines.  Suspicious: is this attention to Christianity as Advent gets set to commence an attempt to draw people back to simpler values or is it just further profiteering?

     I should point out that I actually live in the south of France; a predominantly Catholic country, despite what the media will have you believe.  I strongly doubt any such Christian sympathies are being expressed in the United Kingdom at this time but if I am wrong, I would be delighted to be put right.