Between all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday, TV footage of hundreds storming Best Buy and Suburbia Mall at 5 in the morning, an excess of shopping news coverage, stores calling them Holiday Trees instead of Christmas trees, etc., I’m left wondering… what are we celebrating again?
I’m not terribly religious, but there’s a message that has become almost completely drowned out in a flood of XBOX, MP3, and lead-free toy ads. It’s NOT about seeing how much hard-to-get stuff you can lay your hands on. The end of year holidays are about spending time with family, enjoying home-cooked meals, decorating, listening to Christmas songs, and for many, celebrating the birth of baby Jesus. It’s also that time of year where you show your appreciation of those around you. Yes, we do that in a materialistic fashion, and that in itself is OK, but we’ve taken it to excess. How does one say ‘I Love You!’ in presents? Is it the number of presents, or the total dollar value? Is it the thought involved? Is a handmade macaroni picture frame more valuable than a $75 sweater?
I guess the core of what I’m trying to figure out is: how can we show that we love and appreciate the people in our life without the Retail Arms Race?
Interesting post. I enjoyed reading it. I, for one, am soooo looking forward to going home for Christmas this year, the number one reason being, to see and spend time with my family and just BE home. I have not been home in a year, the longest I have ever been away. I find myself literally CRAVING to be home. I am more excited this year than any year in recent history and I even have my "holiday" shopping about 90% complete, whereas this time last year, I was at 0%! That being said, I must admit that I find myself asking, "Hmmm … did I get this person enough? I don't want to look cheap …". I know that is not in the true spirit of the season. I do enjoy getting the people I love the "perfect" gift. I am always listening, making mental notes and jotting down ideas months in advance. There is no greater joy than seeing the look on someone's face when you give them the "perfect" gift, but is that, too, selfish? Am I merely getting off on the feeling that giving the perfect gift gives ME??? Things that make you go … hmmmmm …