Christmas Snapshot: 1995 (Part II)

This is Part 2 of our Christmas Snapshot of 1995. Last week, we focused on the gift ideas and specials provided by major retailers.

Now to the day itself...

12 000 people (largely backpackers) descended on the beach for Christmas celebrations. However that evening was marred by a riot that was initiated by the locals. Hundreds were involved with police in riot gear pelted by bottles.

Before the riot, the crowd was well behaved. There were concerns over noise from an amplifier which led to it being shut down by police. 

Also, it was reported that Sydney Harbour Casino was the first casino in Australia to open on Christmas Day without restrictions. Hundreds of bookings were received for lunch and some would linger afterwards for some gambling.

The Exodus Foundation at Ashfield served Christmas lunch to 1100 people. 

On December 23, 100 000 people attended Carols in the Domain compered by Rob Guest.

Source: Gora, B. 1995. "100,000 carol singers". The Sunday Telegraph, December 24: 12. 

In the week prior to Christmas, the Wesley Mission did the Darling Harbour Christmas Pageant in Tumbalong Park. Apart from carols, attendees were treated to a reenactment of the first Christmas. It was televised on Christmas Eve on Channel Seven.

Below are messages from the Churches but also an overview of services available over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It has become standard for cinemas to now open across Sydney on Christmas Day.

And how did the retailers fare?

Source: Brennan, W. 1995. "Xmas tills ring in last-minute spree". The Sunday Telegraph, December 24:3.

The Sunday Telegraph on December 24 provided some assistance to last minute shoppers given Christmas Eve was on a Sunday for the first time since 1989.

Source: Green, P. 1995. "Crisis Shopping!". The Sunday Telegraph, December 24: 22.

Retailers felt that trade over the Christmas season fell from 1994 and noted that the anticipated last minute surges did not happen.Were people waiting for the sales? The past decade has seen the sales moved forward with retailers offering discounts but also embracing "Black Friday" from the United States to attract Christmas sales. Post Christmas still remains large but there isn't the rush or need to wait as the past.

Source: Seymour, T. 1995. "Waiting for the rush". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 25: 7.

But this article seems to indicate that retail trade was perhaps not as bad???

Source: Brennan, W. 1995. "Xmas tills ring in last minute spree". The Sunday Telegraph, December 24: 3.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.