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It's not love if you're not willing to go into debt for it.
At least that's the message this year's round of Christmas commercials seem to be saying over and over again. I've seen so many jewelry ads that you'd think there was some sort of national decree that every woman must have a minimum of four carats worth of diamonds to be able to walk in public.
Don't like what your wife bought? Get yourself a luxury car! Kids, don't forget that unless your folks buy high-end electronics, they are awful, mean people. But if they bring home a gift for you wrapped in the blue and yellow of your local electronics store they can redeem themselves. Call me a grinch all day long, but I'm completely turned off by the way Christmas is being marketed this year. It really seems like it's worse than ever. Or is it just in my head? 13 comments from 8 users
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posted by
Smokey
on Nov 28, 2007 at 11:37 AM
I really haven't seen any difference in this years marketing compared with earlier years, Christmas should be a time of peace, love, celebration with family/friends/strangers but that seems to get lost many times amid the christmas gifts. Perhaps it isn;t the marketing that has changed but the expectations of society that have..It seems so many people just 'have to have' this or 'absolutely need' that. The true meaning of Christmas has been lost for many and sadly it seems many children don't truly understand what Christmas should be. Instead they are more focused on what they want/need/just have to have.... posted by
weebles
on Nov 28, 2007 at 11:59 AM
You may be right about it being the same, Smokey. This year I'm watching college and pro football, so maybe I'm just seeing more commercials than usual. But, wow, do I feel like the spirit has changed some.I myself will be doing some big-time supporting of worthy causes as my Christmas gift this year, and have asked that friends and family give in my honor if they feel they must do something on my behalf. I am embarrassingly blessed compared to so very many people, both in America and abroad, and I will be much, much happier giving than receiving this year. But you'd never know it from the commercials. posted by
sunshine
on Nov 28, 2007 at 01:01 PM
Weebles,I don't know if the marketing has changed, or if I am just more aware of it this year too. I'm really turned off by the commercials this year... Sears is saying, "Don't just give a gift - Grant a Wish". I remember when a thoughtful gift was enough! There are others, but they don't come to mind right now.... but the whole attitude of having to buy big expensive gifts to ensure those on your list have a nice Christmas. My kids are young (4, 2, 6mo) so I am glad I can teach them right from the start that Christmas is about so much more than gifts! We buy them a few practical things each year. My 4 y/o loved shopping this year for the Operation Christmas child shoeboxes. He really carefully selected things he thought another little boy would like. It was so sweet... and I hope to show him the joys of GIVING, rather than receiving as he grows up. Yes, you're right - it is almost embarassing how blessed some of us are... and a lot of us still want more... When thousands of children starve to death every day, we are making sure our families get all the material luxuries they desire. Sad. posted by
Smokey
on Nov 28, 2007 at 01:08 PM
"When thousands of children starve to death every day, we are making sure our families get all the material luxuries they desire." That is so sad because it is so true. posted by
GINGER
on Nov 28, 2007 at 02:44 PM
I've been feeling the same way this season and was wondering if it was just me.I was also wondering how much of the "I want,I want,I want" attitude is led by advertising and to what degree the advertising is led by the attitude.I also think that part of the problem is the shift from Christmas being a religious holiday to it being about Santa bringing gifts.I don't want to shove my own religous beliefs on anyone and I accept that teaching my kids that aspect of the holiday is up to me.But-I'm really getting sick of Santa being the"reason for the season".I also wish that there was a list of needs that people in the community have that might not be gifts for kids.Sometimes what people really need to get out of the tough situation that they're in is a car part,or child pickup or care afterschool.How many seniors have needs that could be easily resolved but they're too proud to ask?I have wood that I'd be happy to donate to a senior who needs it to keep warm by the way,if anyone knows one.I asked the Senior Center last year but they didn't know of anyone.
posted by
Joty
on Nov 28, 2007 at 05:38 PM
Hmmmmm, I see a few of you have sort of joined my club...
posted by
bunee
on Nov 28, 2007 at 06:12 PM
Hmmm, I have spent the last five years avoiding T.V. and marketing during the holidays. Sadly a lot of people celebrateChristmas just for the presents! So glad to hear that Christmas holds something meaningful for you guys. People really need to open their eyes and understand that these kind of messages are extremely manipulative and meaningless. It also puts many people into serious debt! With a recession coming upon us, we need to hang onto every dime! I also think it's important to help people in need whether it's at Christmas time or anytime throughout the whole year. It doesn't have to be monetary, it can be a kind gesture. I was observing people today...and watching to see how many people show that they care about others even if they don't know them. It's hard to tell from just a glance, but I'm hopeful there are some who still care. posted by
sunshine
on Nov 28, 2007 at 09:50 PM
The other commercial that really gets under my skin right now is of a mother watching her two kids play outside in the snow - I think they have remote control helicopters or something like that. She said, while watching out the window, "I'm all for peace on Earth.... and in my house that means having two of everything". Then it shows the kids with their matching toys. Nice. No wonder there are so many selfish brats running around! They don't have to learn to share when Mom and Dad will just buy 2 of everything.... What a great message to send.
posted by
madkow2747
on Nov 28, 2007 at 09:55 PM
I haven't seen that one, Sunshine- that sounds like an awful commercial! Reminds me of a quote by Steven Wright: "One Christmas, my grandfather gave me a box of broken glass. He gave my brother a box of bandaids. Then he said to us, "Now, you two share.""
posted by
Joty
on Nov 29, 2007 at 11:43 AM
This morning I watched GMA and they were at the White House where Mrs. Bush was showing off the Christmas decorations.This included a 300 pound gingerbread replica of the White House covered with white chocolate. How much did that cost, and how many families would that have fed?
posted by
weebles
on Nov 29, 2007 at 03:51 PM
Well, I feel a little better knowing I'm not the only one. Sometimes when all of the messages get thrown at you over and over again, you start to feel like you're the weirdo for rejecting it.
posted by
awsmom8
on Nov 30, 2007 at 12:49 AM
I try to get presents that match the person. When my husband was alive, every year he got a box of 3 packets of EXTRA butter microwave popcorn as he sometimes complained about the light popcorn. It would be wrapped up with a bow under the tree on Christmas morning. This year my son is going to get a box of his very own chocolate covered cherries as he had a big fit when he discovered an empty box of the them in the trash. My daughter is going to get her very own tube of tooth paste wrapped up as she throws a fit when her brother doesn't put the lid back on. And the kids will get their usual in their stockings--a new tooth brush but they always smile when they pull it out. They even look for it to be sure I put it in there.But I have never gone into debt for Christmas and am not about to start now. posted by
Joty
on Nov 30, 2007 at 05:24 PM
The commercial that pisses me off is Burlington Coat Factory. A woman asks a very little girl if she believes in Santa and the little girl replies, "I believe in cashmere." Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
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