posted on November 24, 2002 10:45:33 PM new
...on Christmas gifts? The number one gift for kids again this year is a computer... probably about $1000.00 average. On TV, they show young couples buying each other cars like Lincolns and Audis with big bows on them. Sure, companies will do anything to get you to buy but it seems to be working and getting worse each Christmas. Do you think it's too late to turn things back to where a few simple items would suffice for gifts?
posted on November 25, 2002 03:57:03 AM new
I think we are. I guess it's a case of strong marketing from the producers of these products to the consumers. For some people they just don't feel complete unless they have a new car every three years. The salesperson is trained and well versed to compell you to feel it is needed.
If you ever watched The Waltons on TV, protrayed during the 1930's, they received usually one gift. The parents saved for this, and the kids were soooo greatful for the gift. I know this was only a TV show, but just a point in mind.
posted on November 25, 2002 06:00:16 AM newAre We Going Overboard on Christmas gifts?
Yes IMHO. We are also going overboard on Christmas decorations. I might add I feel the same about Hanukkah and Kwanza.
We have family who celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. The presents for Hanukkah used to be small tokens. Not anymore.
Two years ago I read "Simplify Christmas" by Elaine St. James. I had wanted to stop all the insanity before but hadn't.
I quit sending Christmas cards, ecologically unsound anyway. I no longer buy any Christmas decorations, unless they are recycled from antique or thrift stores. I use greens and holly from my yard. The trees don't seem to mind and I don't have to store them.
I quit giving items from the shopping malls. Two years ago I gave recycled items (like Fostoria for a collector) I found for almost nothing and gift certificates that don't have to be stored.
My kids (college age) received certificates from our favorite used book stores, small items from their college book stores and gift certificates from video stores, movie theatres, ice skating rinks, etc for Christmas & birthdays. Last year we gave them certificates to their favorite restaurants--dinners for two.
I feel in my small way I am screwing the multi-nationals and those making plastic gee-gaws that pollute the environment.
A few years ago someone in the medical community was on TV talking about how having a whole month of CHRISTMAS was too much for small children. I wonder how they would feel with over 6 (almost 7) weeks of Christmas decorations and toy commercials?
posted on November 25, 2002 08:39:53 AM new
Where do you get 6 or 7 weeks? Some places have had their Christmas decorations up since before Halloween.
I refuse to shop in those stores
The funny thing is...this morning on the news a shopkeeper was talking about how no one really starts REALLY Chiristmas shopping until after Thanksgiving anyways.
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We call them our heroes...but we pay them like chumps
posted on November 25, 2002 09:07:41 AM new
You are right mlecher! I didn't count that right.
I think the problem worsened because no one told these malls, department stores, 7-11s or others what they thought.
How many people actually want Christmas decorations up before Halloween or Thanksgiving? Many of the U.S. holidays are Hallmark moments, meant to make money for retailers and card makers. Thanksgiving never caught on financially so we can just skip over it!
I hope all reading this will call a mall or
department store and let them know what you think. I just called the executive offices of one department store and I am about to call a mall office in my area.
posted on November 25, 2002 12:52:23 PM new
Good for you aposter! I especially agree about cards... what a waste of trees! Actually, the whole gift-givng ritual confuses me as I wonder how it went from celebrating Christ's birthday to us getting expensive gifts we usually don't need. I remember getting my first Barbie AND an outfit one Christmas... I'll never forget it. It makes me wonder what a child would do today if it only got 1 Barbie and an outfit.
posted on November 25, 2002 01:16:19 PM new
Christmas, originally, never was about Christ's birthday. It was a Pagan celebration of the Winter Soltice. It was hijacked by the Catholic Church to bring more "barbarians" into the church.
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We call them our heroes...but we pay them like chumps
posted on November 25, 2002 02:52:13 PM new
I do not celebrate holidays. It's not a religious thing, it just seems like so much nonsense to me. Even Birthdays. And the worst offender is Christmas. I wholeheartedly approve of there being at least one day a year when people are supposed to be nice to each other. I'd rather see that happen all year long. I think that those who feel that they have to have a special day to celebrate their religious figure's birth should be entitled to go to do worship. Why shouldn't they praise his birth all year long? If it's good enough for one day it likewise ought to be good enough for all year long, don't you think? And let's not get started on the commercialization of Christmas. Where are we supposed to put all of that new junk when I already have so much of the old junk from past Christmases that I have yet to throw out? I've been telling people for years: if they can't make it with their own hands or in their own words, then don't send it or give it to me, as it will go into the trash can. I only save those things that have any meaning to me anymore. In fact, I enjoy gifts of such a personal nature all year long - why make it just one day?
