Is Christmas Too Commercialized?
by For how long have we heard those words?
It is true! Christmas is too commercialized, but I am not sure that it is ‘becoming’ that way. I think it just continues to reach new ridiculous heights.
This is my sixth decade on this wonderful planet, and I am sure the outcry to tone down the commercialism rang out already when I was a mere child.
I have to admit that it is unfortunately something that seems to be taken for granted these days by most people including myself. Although I will never lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas and the need to help out those in need at what can be a very difficult time for many people.
Although this commercialism has become second nature, I was reminded the other evening in a rather subtle way while I was watching Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer on TV.
I watched it with a friend as I had many times with my kids while they were growing up. Everything seemed normal until my friend pointed out that they had ‘cut out’ a song and then they cut out something else later.
At first I thought she must have missed something when she was letting the dog out, but it finally occurred to me why they actually cut out parts of this classic TV show.
To make room for commercials of course! I am sure the number of commercials in 1964 when Burl Ives first rolled onto our TV screens was considerably less than today. Imagine! Cutting up a classic like Rudolph!
But, you see … It isn’t only Christmas that has become so commercial.
It is a way of life!
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Post CommentAbdul Sabour Ayoubi
On December 18, 2008 at 9:02 am
I totally agree with you, these days most things lose their values. Commerical are everywhere.
nutuba
On December 18, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I don’t know what they cut out, but believe it or not — are you sitting down — they may have cut out all references with the actual word “Christmas” … Supposedly the school board in one of North Carolina’s counties was going to ban the song “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” from their “holiday” program because it contained the word Christmas. That ended up not happening. (Can anyone actually confirm that?). Good grief …
Maybe they’ll ban the word “Holiday” eventually when they realize that it comes from Holy Day …
Anyway, I enjoyed your post.
Glynis Smy
On December 18, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Christmas? Christmas? Oh yes I remember that! words to come do you think?? I think this year the giving of a gift and receiving will be changed from years before, no one has the money to spare, the gifts will be tokens and the receipient will be pleased to receive something cheerful for a change. Kala Krystuena from Cyprus.
IspellBad
On December 18, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Intresting!
S A JOHNSON
On December 18, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Such an interesting article. I think that most holidays are very much commercialized though it does make me a bit sad that they cut scenes from Rudolph…That sucks. Looks like I will just have to buy the DVD. ^_^
Christine Ramsay
On December 19, 2008 at 5:27 am
Such a true article. Christmas in the shops in this country starts back in August and goes on forever. I really don’t like the commercialism. Perhaps this year we could make a point in giving a donation of some kind to charity.
Christine
A True Christmas Lover!
On January 2, 2009 at 8:39 am
It is unfortunate that we have come to this.
boertjie
On March 15, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Good one Dan!
Lynda V.E.
On November 7, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Actually, Christmas already has become too commercialized. Seems like everywhere I’m bombarded with ads for products I don’t need or want….meanwhile people completely forget the REAL reason for Christmas in the first place….the birth of Jesus Christ. I don’t participate in the commercialized aspect of Christmas, but I do celebrate the religious (Christian) aspect of it.