Does any other country 'wreck' Christmas the way the U.S. does with all it's commercialism & selfishness?

Question

No, I'm not a Scrooge, but I so long for a simpler, happier Christmastime. A place where not every t.v., radio station, store clerk & billboard doesn't scream 'Buy me, Buy me, Buy me!' I am so sick of the greediness, too. Now we should buy Visa Gift cards, so people can get what they REALLY want? Why don't we just give evryone a $50 bill and be done with it then? The t.v. makes even the sweetest kid seem like a selfish little brat when all you here is " and I want............for Christmas" The commercials bombard the kids and teens with 100s of things they 'need'. And since when is it okay to ask for a $200-400 gift? (video systems and the like). I thought gift-giving was in remeberance of the gifts given to the Newborn Babe? Aren't gifts supposed to be given by the giver to show love & appreciation? Not demanded by the receiver? Why do so many houses have giant Santas in front w/a million lights, but no stable? Is there a place where Christmas is still simple & revered? :(

Merry CHRISTmas all!

Answer 1

Australia's just as bad.

Commercialism, and then they ignore it. It's not a religious holiday, it's a time to go to the beach and have parties.

Disappointing. Don't worry, the US doesn't have the market cornered on commercialism. That's a world trend in countries with cash.

Answer 2

I agree with you totally and that is why I do not do the Christmas thing any more. Everyone says I am a scrooge, a bad person, even think I am nuts. That is ok because for years every year I was literally sick, depressed and couldn't figure out why. I found out why and now I am none of those things. Simpler, happier, is a thing of the past for most. My kids enjoy gift cards to their favorite restaraunt, gas station, food store and department store. Never complain just hope they get their favorites. The thing is Santa does not give them, I give them when I feel like they might need a couple. Surprises all year long.

Answer 3

I know u were looking for other countries to put their 2 cents in but I couldn't resist reading what ur take was and I agree with u. I was on another post and was on my somewhat soap box about peeps in my neighborhood having a Christmas Tree up right after Halloween. And the top news worthy stories all day on Thanksgiving was about these idiots camping outside stores to save some $$ as cold as it was. and the black friday shopping and all these peeps getting trampled on to save $$ How insane is that.
It's very commercialized and the kids are very selfish. I almost put shellfish. LOL my headache is finally subsiding.
God Forbid if we even mention GOD ANY MORE IN ANYTHING ESPECIALLY DURING CHRISTMAS THE STORES DON'T DARE SAY CHRISTMAS SAVINGS WE DON'T WANT TO OFFEND THE NON-BELIEVERS.!!!!

Answer 4

I totally agree with you. It seems to start so early, just a ploy to get people spending. Santa arrived in our mall on 11/02/07!!People are panicking that they can't get their shopping done in time while charging gifts they can't afford and probably won't be used. I am going to make my Christmas simple and buy only what I can afford and not give gifts to everyone I've ever known. We should bear in mind the reason for the season!

Answer 5

Sadly, no. It seems the pressure and stress gets elevated year after year, that is if you refuse to succumb to it but it takes a very strong person to refuse to fall for it.

I think the trick is to find a balance or a compromise.

I don't know how much I should be spending on gifts. I'm cutting back this year because enough is enough. But everything is so expensive so that's easier said than done.

Answer 6

"Christ"mas sure isn't like it used to be. Greed is not only in "Christ"mas but in every living, breathing second for most folks. What a shame.
The true meaning of "Christ"mas has been lost to corporate America and all of it's greedy little fiends.