It seems like the holiday season is arriving earlier and earlier these days. Now that Halloween’s over, we can start focusing on Christmas, right? No! This is not how it should be. Christmas has been made into a holiday that people just go absolutely crazy over, and I cannot stand it. I believe that it is because of the media and commercialization that has made us forget all about Thanksgiving and about the true meaning of Christmas.
This picture accurately describes what happens to us around Christmas, especially on Black Friday. This month is supposed to be spent being thankful for what we have. Nowadays, it is being spent wishing for things for things we don’t have that we have to beg people to get it for us as a “present.” I’ll discuss in a different paragraph how outrageous the money we spend on Christmas. Black Friday is an event I have only done twice. Once my cousins, my sister, and I went because my cousin Sara wanted something from Circuit City; kids, ask your parents about Circuit City. We waited in line in super cold weather for like an hour and whatever she wanted was gone. That was in 2009, that’s how long it’s been since a Circuit City has been in our area. Then, a couple years ago, my boyfriend and I had went just to see what they had, and it was a nightmare. I don’t even think we got anything and ended up eating breakfast at Bob Evans because that’s a Black Friday well spent! At any rate, I refuse to participate in Black Friday. People just get crazy! There were people murdered and trampled on Black Fridays in the past. It makes me so sad that our world has become so greedy and lusting for things we don’t even need. There’s not ever anything that I would want to get that is worth standing in line in cold weather and worth dealing with people who are NUTS. I’d rather get it online, or get it at the regular price.
Of course, sales don’t really matter to the media because it is an unwritten rule that we have to spend loads of money for our friends and family on Christmas, or we’re not worthy human beings. I looked it up and saw a general consensus through every website that in 2015 the average family spent up to $800 on Christmas! This is bonkers to me. Last year, some of my gifts were crafty, and I spent maybe $200. An example is almost every time my cousins and sister are together we get a picture together. So, I found all the pictures that I had throughout the years and made a collage and put it in a frame for my sister, my two cousins, and my aunt. Printing out the pictures and purchasing the frames probably cost me less than $30. It wasn’t a costly gift but I know it meant a lot to them that it was so personalized. That’s the kind of thing I like to do.
I hate it that we are forced to celebrate Christmas before we think about Thanksgiving. The Hallmark Channel started playing Christmas movies on Halloween weekend. At least Freeform (formerly known as ABC Family), knows how to do it right and starts playing Christmas movies 25 days before Christmas. I remember watching Christmas Vacation in September without thinking anything of it. But, the network was showing all of the National Lampoon’s vacations in a marathon, which was legitimate. I can deal with watching Christmas Vacation in a time that’s not Christmas. I wouldn’t like the movie Elf being broadcast in September. I also don’t like to listen to Christmas music until at least December 1st. I used to in the past listen to Christmas music before. I saw a post on my Timehop a couple days ago saying that two years ago I had started listening to Christmas music while it was still October. Shame on 24 year old me, shame! My family doesn’t start decorating the house until after Thanksgiving as well. When the Powells do Christmas, we do Christmas, there are decorations EVERYWHERE.
Also, in the commercialization with the hustle and bustle, we miss the true meaning of Christmas. I am a Christian, and I do believe the reason we have Christmas is to celebrate Christ’s birth and life. But, I also understand that there are some people that do not believe in that, and it’s okay; I won’t disrespect you for your beliefs. Even if someone doesn’t believe in Christ, he or she can still find joy and meaning of Christmas that reflects spending time with loved ones, which is the other good theme of Christmas. The media has made it all about buying the biggest presents, which store can decorate the most, and sending out the best Christmas cards. All that stuff is good, but it’s not what Christmas is about. To believers and non-believers, we can all agree that Christmas is about spending time with loved ones and giving the gift of time and love (see what I did there.)
In conclusion, while I love Christmas much more than the next person does. I encourage you, please, take time this month to remember to be thankful. Stop, take a breath, and don’t think about Christmas until December 1st, that’s all I ask.
