Is Christmas too commercialized these days?

1. 46

   MummyDearestposted 12 years ago

   Is Christmas too commercialized these days?
   
   I find that children have expectations these days, what they should or want to have instead of being thankful for a gift. Do you think the media, advertisement tries to capitalized on it? Or are parents to be responsible? What happen to values?
   
   

   replyreport
2. 69

   Alecia Murphyposted 12 years ago

   Yeah, I think you are right. It's a combination of things. I think the media is responsible but yet people buy into it by doing things like Black Friday. Also, the overt focus on gift-giving instead of togetherness never helps. I don't give everyone in my family gifts partly because of finances and partly because it's not my job. While it's nice to give, I'd rather give of my time and affection than something that'll be hidden in the back of their closet 364 days a year.

   replyreport
3. 73

   moonfairyposted 12 years ago

   I agree with Alecia Murphy...it's a combination of things that reminds me of the "perfect storm" but it's not so perfect. I can't stand it when I see Christmas decorations put out in stores right next to Halloween decorations. And the fact that some retailers are beginning a "black Thursday" is making me ill. if the consumer doesn't buy into it, then the retailers would stop, but sadly that won't be the case. I bet the parking lot in all of the places that are opening at 10, 11 or midnight on Thanksgiving will be jam packed. It's really kind of sad, don't you think? I wish we could celebrate one holiday at a time, and revel in it's meaning.

   replyreport
4. 46

   MummyDearestposted 12 years ago

   First of all, thanks for your feedback. What prompt me to this ask this question was the thought of how my son's reaction would be like in future towards Christmas celebrations. As a parent, we would want to give the best but I believe that doesn't mean by giving the best toy on the shelves. I would like to teach him that Christmas is time for family to get together, the joy of celebration and love. But honestly, i think kids these days would like to see something 'tangible' and that was advertised on tv.
   
   Alecia, i agree with you that there is an over focus on gift-giving.. and unfortunately these expectations are perceived as a 'norm' which shouldn't be the case.
   Moonfairy, I too agree with you..I was doing last minute shopping for a few Halloween stuff on Halloween day itself and found the shelves that used to stock Halloween goodies were replaced with Christmas goodies. It was crazy when Halloween is not even over yet and retailers already started with Christmas.
   
   I was reading an article not too long ago and it says that an average family in Ireland (where I am residing ride now) spends an average of over €900 for Christmas and almost €500 of it are for gifts and that is speculated to be the average spending for this year even with the economic downturn. And people are taking loans out to buy gifts so that the family could be happy? I think that is partly why the country is having so much problems because the nation is on borrowed money.
   
   I am not against gift giving but spend within our means and I think that kids have to be taught that there is more to Christmas than just loads of gifts and I hope that I will be able to teach my son that.
   
   For now, I am lucky enough that my son is still young and don't understand it yet. We will see how it goes in years to come..will i succeed or will i also succumb to the pressures of the media!

   replyreport
5. 67

   Cat Rposted 12 years ago

   When I grew up Christmas was about family, good food, setting up the tree together. We didn't have much and the few gifts were special to us.
   
   If I see the things that people do today, it gets me disgusted with Christmas. I would never even consider returning a gift!
   
   Christmas is not about family anymore, it is about what you can give!
   
   It's a shame!

   replyreport