My thoughts on…the Christmas shopping craze
December 7th 2006 -
It has begun. It’s barely the first week in December and already advertisers are starting their ad blitz. In fact, it started from around mid-December, the time I heard the first Christmas carol on the radio. Who pays for those anyway? My guess is major corporations, trying to get people into the Christmas spirit so they can lure them into stores and rape their poor little wallets sooner.
You can’t watch TV nowadays without seeing ads for the “hot new toys” or holiday sales. People, there’s no such thing as a sale during Christmas time! Why would stores lower prices at the most profitable time of the year? The closest thing to a sale at this time of year is a slight reduction in the prices of existing to clear room for Christmas stock. Every company wants to get in on the action, even those selling the unlikeliest of presents. Have you seen those car commercials with cars wrapped with bows? What’s that about?
“Hey honey. You’ll never guess what’s under the wrapping of that giant car-shaped mass.” *unwraps gift* It’s a car! Oh thank you honey! I’ve always wanted one!” “Yeah. And don’t think for a second that I’m trying to bribe you into staying in this relationship. And don’t think that just because you’re the only bit of happiness in my miserable existence that prevents me from ending my life I have to impress you with this blatantly open display of my own insecurity.”
Who would buy someone a car for Christmas? Even rich people buy cars for their kids only on their 16th birthday. I’ve been watching enough “My Super Sweet Sixteen” to know. Big retailers are getting kids into the act, those lovable profit-boosting little buggers. Companies like Wal-Mart are encouraging kids to make wishlists, so they can nag their parents to death about what they want. Is it any wonder that the world has become so materialistic?
Parents, especially you middle-aged working class moms, listen. You brought your kids into this world. Women, you’ve carried them for 9 months, had to endure several hours of pain, not to mention the food, shelter, clothing, etc. Men, well, you’ve had to foot most of the bill and the lack of “lovin’” during those first few years. YOU OWE JUNIOR NOTHING! If you want to get him that cool new toy, fine. But you’re under no obligation to get it for him. No wonder many of these brats boss their parents around. Is that Tickle Me Elmo (or whatever toy is hot right now) really worth the trouble of fighting with other parents, risking getting trampled and your Christmas bonus? And at the end of it all, he’ll play with it a couple times, then throw it in his heap of forgotten toys and forget about it by mid-January.
Instead of throwing presents at them, teach your children the true meaning of the holidays. Family, togetherness, kindness, and most important of all, Jesus’ birth. That will stay with them a lot longer than that new toy will. I guarantee it. And this doesn’t just go for the kids, it goes for the adults too. Let’s all search of the true meaning of Christmas this holiday season.
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Melody Says:
December 7th, 2006 at 10:13 pm
That last paragraph says it: let’s not forget de reason for de season.
Enemy of the Republic Says:
December 7th, 2006 at 10:51 pm
Leon,
You are a great blogger, but now it’s time to preach to the ignorant and show them the truth. This should be read aloud at every mall with a megaphone.
owen Says:
December 7th, 2006 at 11:33 pm
just passig time I guess, after a certain point you grow taller that the christmas tree and you lost the glee that surrounds it but a so it go money makes the world go round
Kingston Girl Says:
December 8th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
I never got huge expensive presents at Christmas as a kid - in fact the ones I loved most were ones where you had to do things and a parent had to help you - like making clay figures. I guess it is the thought and the promise of time from someone you love that made it for me.
Crankyputz Says:
December 8th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Hear! Hear!
Abeni Says:
December 9th, 2006 at 8:20 am
Preach, Leon. It’s tough though for parents with kids wanting all the stuff they see on tv.They just have to balance it with what their pockets can afford
cool destiny Says:
December 9th, 2006 at 11:42 am
Excellent post. I’ve sworn that I will not spoil my son. I have 2 educators as parents, who believe in books as gifts. I hardly had toys as a child. Lucky for my angel, his dad is into video games so they can both play that together. I can get one gift (PS3 of course) for the both of them. They have a new elmo out I forget what it’s called though. He rolls on the ground and says some funny stuff I think.
I was never into the extravagance of Christmas, especially now that I have bigger and better things to do with my money like furnish my new home, so no over spending for me at all.
Island Spice Says:
December 10th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Amen Bredda Leon.
I know a man who gave his wife a BMW for christmas - a huge display of I’m sorry for cheating on you this year..
Love the pic btw .. where do u find these things?
jbeauty Says:
December 11th, 2006 at 11:45 am
Enough said! i am not going out of the way and in crowded stores to spoil my child. christmas is just one day. Point well taken Leon.