A shift in the holiday spirits – Are they becoming too commercialized?
Here is the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la….
In recent years, you may have noticed how early the Christmas music starts playing in our grocery stores, and malls begin to promote holiday sales. Right after Halloween, Christmas Tree secures its place right at the entrance of the stores. As if there is no Thanksgiving in between. Thanksgiving comes and goes that we don’t even realize. Our shopping list start to build up with Black Friday Deals and it continues till Christmas. Media plays a very important role in shifting our and kid’s attention from the holidays spirits to the new attractive products. Kids see a new advertisement on TV which shows new and latest products. Kid’s movies also hit the theaters at the same time. One week post Frozen 2 was released, I passed through the seasonal section at our grocery store. One entire shelf was filled with Frozen 2 themed bags, water bottles, and a few other things. And yes, there was a little girl who was trying to convince her mom to get her the bag. 🙂
Edits: www.canva.com
Christmas or any holiday for that matter is meant for enjoying family time. Growing up, we used to wait for the holiday season not just for gifts but also for meeting our cousins, distant relatives and spend a memorable time with them. Those memories used to last till the next year’s festive season. But is it still the same? Are the holiday spirits still the same? Now, we plan to make big purchases around this time of the year, we get gifts for our kids. There is nothing wrong with this. Holidays and Festival is the time to get in the festive mood. But it is also the time to relax, enjoy and cherish just our living. Is it the time to light up the house with family, to adorn the Christmas tree in decorations and strings of lights, to spend time with friends who have been far away. Because once this holly-jolly season is over, these memories will stay with us.
Don’t bother too much about sales and discounts. Don’t worry too much about the gift you will be giving to your friend who has invited you for a get-together. Holidays spirits, festive vibes should have nothing to do with advertising and sales. An expensive gift is not the only way to demonstrate affection, despite the claims of many advertisements. They make gift buying seem like an obligation and it makes holidays become all about the presents and not family.
So, this holiday season, instead of looking forward to all the presents you will give, go celebrate the true meaning of the holidays. Enjoy the festival season in its true holiday spirits.
Totally agree…. Festivity is all about gifts and shopping now a days, thats why I make sure to tell my kids the importance of each festivals and the story behind it only if I know it myself.
That should be our approach.
Thats a lovely observation. As time is passing our circle of close family and friends is reducing but for the better of course. In the end what matters is how connected and comfortable are you, with these people who yiu choose to call friends and family. Gifting and attending functions all come later. They are all done for namesake.
I completely agree. I always believe in quality over quantity. Festivals are the special moments and to be spent with people who matter the most to you.
Festivals and holidays for me has always been about memories. That’s what ur focus is on always. I loved your take on it and totally second your thoughts.
True Preet. Festivals give us a chance to take a break from our busy routine and create some beautiful memories.
Festival gives us a break from our regular hectic schedule and to create beautiful memories. It should be with family.
Yes Snigdha. Festivals are an extension of happiness and should be celebrated in its true sense.
I think everything is commercialized today. People also look forward to festival sales. But true essence of festival should not be lost amidst all this.
Teaching kids the core of the festival is very important. Yes things are getting very much commercialised and sometimes we tend to incline towards these offers. If you are waiting to purchase for big items then these sales help us to get the items at good price.
Sale are always tempting. Thats where we need to control.
I completely agree that it has become too commercialised during the festive seasons. I think because of that the whole essence is being lost to an extent. I hope people do cherish every bit of the festivals and not just about giving gifts.
Yes, festivals are more than just gifts and sale.
I believe in staying at home and spending time with family and celebrate every festival… Great thoughts.
Thanks
True, I have a post on this topic this year explaining more about what Advent is all about. The worst sale I saw was underwear in SantaClaus style. Uff that was too much!
Yes, I read that post Cindy and leant a lot from your blog post.
I completely agree . Yes everything seem commercialised these days including festivals . But holidays for me are still same fun with family. We don’t do much
Same here. We do basic things and more of family time.