Thanksgiving Day hasn’t arrived and already Christmas décor has invaded retail and department stores.
Commercials instigate us to start buying soon, in order to find the best gifts and deals. Yes, you know who you are, you ultra-mega hyped Christmas fans who start planning to purchase presents and decorations around Halloween.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying gift giving is bad or evil. I’m simply stating Christmas should not revolve around extravagant purchases.
The bible presents the story of The Three Wise men, that traveled from the east to Bethlehem, where Christ was born, and brought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
As you can see, gift giving has been around for a long time. Although, I don’t think The Three Wise men bought these gifts at any department store. So, when did this commercialization begin? It has been a work in progress whose full bloom may be appreciated nowadays.
After eating a delicious Turkey [or meal] and enjoying quality time with the family, we assemble the gift lists and prepare ourselves for an unforgettable shopping experience. Buckle up everyone, Black Friday has arrived. Some get up before the sun in order to find a good parking spot. Others choose to camp outside the stores, all in the desperate search for the perfect gift at a good price.
Before stampeding through a store’s doors with a shopping cart at full speed, we should consider if it’s really worth it. How good are the sales anyway? Are they good enough to endure frantic people and inefficient store clerks? Are they good enough to stand in long lines? Are they good enough to guarantee you won’t find a particular item another day?
In fact, ShopperTrak’s statistics show revenue from Black Friday has decreased where as the first half of November proved to be more rewarding, considering stores began promoting aggressively sooner.
For example, stores promote their lay-away services, which allow many to pay little by little and avoid the harsh blow of leaving your entire paycheck at the store’s register.
We also see Christmas movie trailers, whose premier dates are around Thanksgiving.
These and other advertisements, makes us yearn for the perfect gift. After all, if you find a “good” deal, why shouldn’t your grandmother’s cousin twice removed receive a gift? You might not communicate frequently but that’s not a problem. Christmas is all about gifts and she can’t possibly be left out right?
Between all the lists and shopping, we perceive Christmas to be dreadful. Sometimes, the weather might play a discouraging factor. To top it off, you must visit the mall, which is full of combat mothers, grumpy fathers, boyfriends who need “Gift-Giving for Girlfriends 101,” girlfriends debating between Modern Warfare 3 and Halo and last but not least, pet owners buying the perfect Santa suit for their canine friends.
Oh! How to forget; try counting how many times you listen to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” I openly admit I love holiday music but when you hear it at every store and radio station in the beginning of November, it may get tiresome.
This sounds crazy right? Well, that is the current definition for Christmas. Everyone complains about the economy and the loss of jobs but when Christmas comes around, we forget about it. We purchase what we like, even though it may become a financial burden later on.
How can we fight this consumerism? It’s simple: enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas as separate holidays, establish a budget and simply say no. Sometimes, you have to say no to the kids who want every item on their list, to the excess of food, to the customers who think their needs are above the rest, to the crazy advertisers, and to your inner voice telling you to shop more. No matter who cliché it sounds, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.
It’s a time when families reunite, share and cherish time with each other. Don’t grant consumerism the power to dictate what Christmas should be. Yes, these gifts are treasured amenities but amenities nonetheless. Yet remember, there is no need in becoming the Grinch.
It’s important to establish a balance and please those you want without forgetting the true meaning of Christmas.
A sincere Christmas card or a visit to a relative has more meaning than a sweater. At times, we lose focus and prioritize material wealth and life is too short for that.
Perhaps your grandmother’s cousin twice removed didn’t want a designer vase; she would’ve enjoyed a simple phone call instead.
This year, don’t go crazy on the gifts. Instead, focus on creating a balance. Spend your time creating special memories. Not only will this prove much more satisfying, it can avoid starting a new year with financial worries.
If you didn’t get what was on your list, don’t fret; be grateful instead.
Maybe your not-so- favorite- relatives are coming over; remember not to focus on the negative. Trust me; I’ve had my fair share of experiences. Now I look back at the memories and regardless of what happened, I treasure them and I invite you to do the same. Remember, Christmas is a joyful time to reunite, share with family and friends and mend relationships.
Personally, Christmas is my favorite season of the year. It feels almost magical.
No matter how short it may seem the solution isn’t to let this frenzy overpower us months in advance.
On the contrary, if we slow down, we’ll notice the magic is still there. We just have to let it happen and when it does, treasure and enjoy it as most as we can.
Xelmarie Medina can be reached at xelmymedina@gmail.com.