Every year Hallmark pulls out its ornament earlier and earlier and some time after July 1st puts out Barbie, Star Trek, Shrek, sport... etc etc.. ornaments.... and if you look really really closely... there are 1 or maybe 2 actual nativity, birth of Jesus ornaments which of course almost immediately sell out.
Why do they start non celebrating Christmas so early?
2007-07-28 10:36:26 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
Because, unfortunately, too many people have fallen under the spell of commercialism & have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.
Every year my husband & I put up a tree with a beautiful skirt under it, lights on the tree & beautiful ornaments all over the tree. Not every ornament is religious in nature, but we do not put up commercial pieces, such as the type you mentioned. We have a large collection of ornaments, most of them having a special meaning to us. Other people gave us some that mean something to them, for example, one friend works with dragonflies at the Museum of Natural History. So, she found a beautiful dragonfly ornament & gave it to us. Each year we buy one new ornament. We take one day & go out, enjoying the day & the season & browse around until we find one that feels just right for that year.
Each ornament is in a box with the year we bought it written on it & where we bought it. So, we get much enjoyment, each year, as we open the boxes and reminisce about all of them as we decorate the tree. It adds joy to it. They're not just a bunch of meaningless items. When we are finished, we set up the nativity scene along a wall shelf that has green garland across it. We also have beautiful wreaths on the doors. Also, we have Christmas music playing in the background for the season.
Hallmark sells all these non-Christmas ornaments because sadly too many people have truly forgotten how to celebrate Christmas, & they buy the junk. If people didn't buy it, they wouldn't sell it. That's the sad truth.
Christians need to get back to their beliefs & celebrate not the Holiday, but the Holy Day that it is. We need to focus on the love of the day and not on the crass emptiness that stores are pushing on us.
You could always send a letter to Hallmark, telling them how you feel & what kind of ornaments you would like to see. It's only when we speak up that things will change. I have always sent letters — to politicians, to stores, etc., if there was something I felt should change. That's one way many things have been changed in our country.
My hope is to see Christmas return to the way it used to be, and I believe it will.
2007-07-28 11:14:16 · answer #1 · answered by palemalefriend 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's more about collectible sets than anything else. Every year there's a new ornament for Barbie, Star Wars, Thomas the Train, etc. The idea is that people get hooked on completing their collections, and every year buy the latest ornament. Also, half of the stuff in Hallmark stores already has a Christian theme, so if you can't get a nativity ornament you can get lots of accessories for your model nativity scene.
Besides, I have never seen a Christmas tree decorated solely in nativity scenes. Even the most traditional trees have mostly balls and garlands.
2007-07-28 20:52:43 · answer #2 · answered by jellybeanchick 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hallmark, like the rest of the retailers ... are looking for trends -- what sells -- and those 'themes' are present in their ornament collections: whether it is Barbie (always a favorite with quite a few customers), Sci-Fi (Star Trek and others -- for those who enjoy reading/watching Sci-Fi Stories/Shows), hit movie characters, etc.
They start early because (unfortunately) Christmas Shopping seems to start earlier and earlier -- and they want to catch as many customers as possible paying either FULL price or next to full price -- and these are usually collectors or those who really want the items.
I do have 'fun' themed trees in my home -- they are definitely smaller -- but it is something that I enjoy -- just like my outdoor lighting displays (even though as I get older, I put less out -- so now I just rotate in some displays I have every year).
There are plenty of folks who do NOT celebrate or recognize "Christmas" as a religious holiday -- but who just enjoy decorating ... and that is also something to think about too.
2007-07-29 02:05:54 · answer #3 · answered by sglmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people who have Christmas trees aren't necessarily Christians. Also, to me the Nativity scene is what Christmas is about. The tree is just a fun decoration. Mine is covered in Coca-Cola ornaments. Then my Nativity scene is set up a few feet away. Also, the Hallmark company sometimes only makes a certain number of some ornaments, so they get them out early so people can get on lists to get them.
2007-07-28 10:40:21 · answer #4 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because people buy them. Apparently you don't get to decide how everyone else celebrates Christmas. Sorry.
2007-07-30 04:26:34 · answer #5 · answered by Ronnie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To make money
2007-07-28 10:44:01 · answer #6 · answered by Diane B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋