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EDITORIAL Commercialism cheapens holiday season
Unfortunately, the Christmas season has become intensely commercialized and is undermining the
general good will of the holidays. One problem is that companies and their advertisers begin
targeting consumers early in order to keep up with each other. By introducing a vast number of
products, they hope to increase their profits. While this may be the backbone of capitalism, and
taking advantage of this situation may make good business sense, the corporate drive is putting a
damper on the holidays for many.
People are pressured by commercialism to spend more than they can afford. Advertisers target
children, especially during the holidays, and sometimes parents cannot, or should not, give their
children everything they want.
Another way commercialism pressures people is through Hollywood's portrayal of the average family
living happily in large homes decorated to perfection. These commercial shows also generally have
happy endings, and many families are disappointed when they try to keep up with this Hollywood
version of what the Christmas season means.
By the time Christmas is over, many people say they are relieved that the season has passed. This
relief is potentially caused by several factors:
First, people may be broke. Many people not only spend saved money, but also incur credit card debt.
Second, people can become over-exerted. Whether traveling between families, shopping, cooking or
decorating, many people barely have a chance to breathe let alone enjoy the holidays.
Some people experience an added sense of loneliness during the holidays, especially if they do not
have many family or friends.
Many people dealing with holiday pressures know the frustration that can come from Christmas. Some of
the blame can be placed on the pressures that commercialism has placed on what is supposed to be a
religious holiday. Even Christmas television shows with wholesome themes are infiltrated by
commercials to make sure we are not forgetting those items that will make our families the happiest
on Christmas morning.
According to some, Christmas should be more commercial.
"Contrary to lore, this holiday was established by Americans to celebrate worldly goods and
happiness," said Leonard Peikoff, founder of the Ayn Rand Institute and former host of a national
talk radio show, in his Media Link article, Why Christmas should be more commercial.
He continues, "It was taken over by Christianity .... Life requires reason, selfishness,
capitalism; that is what Christmas should celebrate Ð and really, underneath all the pretense, that is
what it does celebrate."
There are also many who do not attend church or claim a particular religion. They celebrate
Christmas in a secular way by honoring the spirit of giving. Regardless of how people celebrate the
holidays, commercialism, unfortunately, still lends itself to over-indulgence and feelings of guilt
over not doing more.
On Thanksgiving we give thanks for the things we hold dear in life, and the next day we are pushing
through crowds to find the perfect present. After a few hours of dealing with the shopping crowds,
most have forgotten about the true meaning of Christmas.
But perhaps we can make the holiday season simpler. We can express love for family members in ways
other than giving presents. We also can participate in holiday events that bring out the best
characteristics of Christmas. The key to the season may be giving instead of getting and ignoring our
urges to spend like crazy.
Christmas should not be about the newest holiday movie, toy or what present one may receive from
others. The true spirit of Christmas is about doing for other people and releasing ourselves from
self-interest.
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