(for reference I'm 31 yrs old)
I guess I'm not as 'sick' as I am 'sad' that it has turned from being a more family-oriented atmosphere to one of buying stuff and having it pushed in your face wherever you go - even in your own living room through the television.
What happened to making candied popcorn balls, carol singers, bags of nuts, oranges, snow sledding, turkey, making ginger bread and other candy for the family......
It's just lost all of it's appeal.... anyone agree?
2007-11-02 01:58:35 · 23 answers · asked by Feta Smurf 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Yeah - I'm an agnostic and don't believe in the 'true meaning' stuff... but the traditional stuff - it was nice.
2007-11-02 02:10:02 · update #1
YES! I hate it! I'm so sick of being expected buy buy a load of materialistic CRAP and recieving a load of materialistic CRAP... jeez...
I guess it's everyone's really fast paced live you know... like, instead of writing a letter to someone, it's now a text message inshich not a single word reaches over 4 letters long, lol and all these drive through mcdonalds, eugh!
And yes, it's become just some holiday for the kids where they get loads of exencive toys that the advertising compnaie's have made them want!
It's so urh...
2007-11-02 02:05:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes, so agree with you. The commercials, the turning on the economy for profit during holiday season's it's just plain simple rediculous. i think to put up Christmas in the stores before even Thanksgiving is here is far a crime. i am not going for it any more. I am also stop purchasing electronic items or gadgets.
I want more a sullable Christmas so like my German grand parents had done . I love it it was peaceful, family orientaed. With good food, a visit to the Christ vasper as we call it over there. A walk and stroll through the Christmas forrest that was powedered and covered with snow. It was heaven for me a child who was raised by alcoholic parents.
Today, I find it more pleasant to go to a good movie, have a nice family dinner , enjoy our home and do things that please me and my family and friends. I think it got out of hand.
2007-11-02 07:02:09 · answer #2 · answered by angelikabertrand64 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh yes, I'm sick of it big time.The adverts get the volume turned off as soon as they come on in our house.I make a fuss of my kids at Christmas, but don't spend silly money on them.I buy some gifts, then give them cash (as they are older now) and they buy stuff in the January sales.
I'm opting for an old fashioned Christmas this year.Hubby & I aren't buying gifts for each other.And we are taking my in-law's out for a meal instead of buying them things.I gave them the choice, that is what they opted for.
My boys make a gingerbread house each every year.And this year I'm getting everyone to help in the kitchen so we all muck in.TV viewing is to be kept to a minimum, and I've bought a few board games.
EDIT:I'm 37 btw.
2007-11-02 02:11:40 · answer #3 · answered by CMH 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Now my question is, what is commercialism? I don't give to wickity sh!ts about gifts, for me personally, but people make you feel as though you are a mental case if you start to do that family stuff soon. I love to do it early. To get the full effect of Christmas. These months are the best.
I buy for immediate family. but if you do all that, but want to buy alot, what is the harm? Maybe your getting the best of both worlds.
I understand where your going here. but everything has changed. more jobs, pc ness of it the holidays. As long as you do your part to keep the traditional Christmas alive noone can complain about you.
2007-11-02 02:10:19 · answer #4 · answered by Evey 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For reference - I am 70 at the beginning of March.
I do agree, up to a point.
Christmas always used to start early at home and school.
In the latter, no photocopying machines, so our writing lessons in primary school, were taken up with copying Christmas Carols (replacing tatty copies) in time for early morning services and end of term Carol Service.
Preparations for Nativity Plays - don't suppose they are allowed anymore.
Decorations had to be made - paper chains.
Pine cones had to be gathered during walks in the Countryside - to paint and thread with wire for the Xmas tree or branches. (I have two pine trees in my garden and throw bags of cones away every year now - nobody wants them)
Cakes and puddings were made weeks in advance.
Christmas sweets - fudge, toffee, coconut ice to be made.
New dresses to be made
We had a local Carol Singers group who went around the streets singing for a local Charity - so lots of rehersals.
Presents to be made (a pair of gloves or socks to knit)
Parcels to be wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string and sealing wax
What has been lost is the family and personal touch - what has been gained is a real fairy-land of lights, colour and a different "magic" for children.
We don't bother about Christmas - just us two old codgers on our own (grandchildren live in the Middle East). Nothing special about Christmas food - you can have anything you like now, anytime you like, so no different from the usual menu.
We don't bother with decorations - nobody to see them.
Even Christmas cards are a drag with the new post office charges - I can't work out which size envelopes attract a surcharge.
2007-11-02 02:23:19 · answer #5 · answered by Veronica Alicia 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The American economy depends on it.
2/3 of our economy is consumer spending driven. 70% of retail sales occur between Thanksgiving and Christmas. You have the stats, now do the math.
Yes, it is over commercialized. Yes the "true meaning" is ignored. Even by you. Christmas (the religious holiday) is supposed to be a representation of the birth of christ. Even the things you mention have little to do with that.
Although I am an atheist, I celebrate the tradition of Christmas. One time of year you can get together with family and play nice. Not to mention the magic of the excitement my two year old has!
Just scale down and do what you want, and you will be happier. Ignore the rest. You don't have to shop til you drop, you don't have to buy your kids/family the latest and greatest, and you don't have to go into debt to pull it off.
The only thing you can control, is you. Be happy and you will have no regrets.
Peace
2007-11-02 02:07:41 · answer #6 · answered by Gem 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I agree, we keep it traditional in our home. And everyone has control of that. My children know that's when they get the things they need, maybe a toy thrown in, but mostly shoes clothes etc.. We love Christmas, we make cookies, grandma comes over and we paint our ornament for the tree. My mother-in-law has over 1,000 for her tree, a lot of antiques passed from her mother and her mother. It blew my mind when places said we can't say Merry Christmas, but Happy Holidays. If it is what you believe they shouldn't be able to take it away. If people make it all about money, and the latest games, then that's how their children will be and expect of them. And people are hurting each other waiting in line for the latest and greatest crap. $600 for a game system, and there are so many children that won't get anything! This is a touchy subject for me, and could go on for days about it.. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
2007-11-02 02:11:42 · answer #7 · answered by 3030gal 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. If it weren't for my kids, I don't think we'd celebrate much at all. It is TOTALLY about presents and spending money. It is NOT about Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward men. It is NOT about celebrating the birth of Christ. It is about people lined up at Wal*Mart at 400 in the morning so they can be first in line for a Barbie or camping out for a Wii.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is about good food, family, and being together...and football. LOL
I am also 31.
2007-11-02 02:25:50 · answer #8 · answered by ♥♥Mrs SSG B♥♥ 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Christmas is NOT about food nor anything in reference to your second paragraph.
Christmas is about the Birth of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ.
I can't stand it when I'm in the stores and I hear kids yelling.. I want, this & that. I often wonder if the parents have told their children what Christmas really stands for.
Personally, I love Christmas for what it stands for and despise the commericalism. Oh, I enjoy spending the day with my family.
2007-11-02 02:11:39 · answer #9 · answered by kidlet_animal_luv 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Absolutely yes, I have always told my children I will buy and budget for them what they really need, otherwise, as Christmas as a big capitalist spending bonanza, forget it, Jesus Christ was born on in a stable, not in Walmart or Argos.
2007-11-02 02:27:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋