When people think of Christmas, images of tall pine trees wrapped in lights and, of course, the big jolly man clad in his red and white suit come to mind. These days, however, classic holiday traditions are undermined by consumers’ main priority: holiday shopping. Satisfying extensive wish lists, buying every cookie and hot chocolate flavor on the market and spending hours at crowded malls are now central to the holiday season. While everyone loves seeing a variety of gifts under their trees, the fundamental ideas of Christmas and Santa are unfortunately being overshadowed by the shopping hype and excessive advertisement.
Beginning in November, department stores advertise their “one-of-a-kind” deals on various items, and therefore wish lists inevitably grow longer. People feel as though they have a free pass to purchase the most extravagant gifts they can find, further emphasizing the idea of materialism the holidays have created among Americans. Nowadays, many people simply expect the latest Apple gadget or designer pair of jeans. Many feel that when December rolls around, the holiday spirit is simply not as prevalent as it used to be.
“These days, I’ve noticed that everyone only seems to like Christmas because they are excited about the presents they are going to get,” said sophomore Anna Winter. “And while people do give presents as well, they usually only give for the sake of receiving.”
The commercialization of the holidays has been prominent for decades. For instance, the modern Santa Claus, a big red-nosed man with a suit to match, was actually created by the illustrator Haddon Sundblom as part of an advertisement for Coca Cola in 1931. This campaign created one of the most iconic characters in the world; however, its intention was to increase sales in a corporation, not to portray the beauty of the holidays.
Currently, the mall is one of the most hectic and most visited places. The local Westfield Topanga mall features large hanging snowflakes, strings of twinkling lights and even a giant pine tree embellished with hundreds of Christmas-colored ornaments. This aesthetic appeal draws thousands to the mall each day and further portrays the growing importance of materialism in today’s society. Rather than spending time with loved ones, individuals venture from shop to shop spending money on items that they most likely do not even need. Many shoppers are very focused on getting what they need, and in the process they walk right past charities that depend on funds collected during this season.
The holidays should be a time when families come together to share meaningful memories and create new ones. They are a time for individuals to reconnect with their loved ones and keep traditions alive, passing them on to future generations. Rather than focusing on extending one’s wish list, one should make the effort to give back to his or her community and aid those who are less fortunate.
While the holiday season undoubtedly has its perks, one must remember that the focus of the holidays should not be on shopping or eating. It is supposed to be a time of giving, kindness and family. So, this holiday season, give more than take but remember that with family, one’s presence is the best gift of all.
