Countdown won't sell fireworks this Guy Fawkes
A customer survey by the supermarket chain resulted in two in three respondents say they "rarely or never" bought fireworks for private use.
More than seven in 10 said the biggest reason they didn't do so was because of animal welfare, and about half cited fire safety. Environmental reasons were cited by 39 per cent, disturbing neighbours 34 per cent and personal safety 30 per cent. Countdown general manager merchandise, Scott Davidson, said declining interest and conversations with store teams led to the decision. "Our customers have told us that while they still love to celebrate special occasions such as Matariki, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Guy Fawkes, backyard fireworks at home are becoming less of an occasion than they used to be. "We've decided to leave it to the professionals and we think the vast majority of our customers and our team will agree with this." The move is supported by the SPCA, which earlier this year led a multi-agency study that found a majority of New Zealanders supported a ban on the public sale of fireworks. SPCA CEO Andrea Midgen said fireworks can be terrifying to animals. "Whether that's on Guy Fawkes night or at any other time of the year," she said. "Every year animals are injured, frightened, go missing or occasionally suffer abuse related to fireworks."
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Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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79.2% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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20.8% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
The gift of giving …?
The author of “The Gift of the Magi” is O. Henry, a pseudonym for William Sydney Porter.
“The Gift of the Magi” is a poignant short story about a young couple, Jim and Della, who are deeply in love but financially struggling. With Christmas approaching and limited money, each decides to sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a meaningful gift for the other. Della sells her beautiful long hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his grandfather’s watch to buy a set of combs for Della’s hair. In the end, their love and sacrifice underscore the true spirit of giving during the holiday season.
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I would say the story underscores the stupidity of Xmas gifts … after all, it is not YOUR birthday, so how about donating something to good causes and otherwise enjoying being together?
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