General discussion
-
Topic
-
Rant of The Week – Holidays (06/11/2008)
LockedWoo Hoo! It’s that time of the week again, so get out your violins and ear plugs while you listen to me whine, rant, stomp my little foot and just basically give my feeble opinion (as little as we all know that is).
In light of Father’s Day fast approaching this Sunday (June 15th, for those who actually observe this holiday) this week’s rant is about Holiday’s. Not Holiday’s per se, but rather how commercialized holidays have become from when the holiday was first celebrated. It seems anymore the significance behind certain holidays is becoming lost or rather over-shadowed as more and more companies turn it into just another day for making money. Not that there is anything wrong with companies wanting to increase their profits but I have no doubt the commercialism would have certain people rolling over in their graves. I know it makes me want to roll over in mine and I’m not dead yet.
Heck, some holidays I never even heard of – such as Bean Day (Jan. 6th), Peculiar People Day (Jan. 10th), Elmo’s Birthday (Feb. 3rd), Toothache Day (Feb. 9th), Respect Your Cat Day (Mar. 29th), Jump Over Things Day (April 6th), Dance Like a Chicken Day (May 14th), Vinegar Day (June 16th), Be a Geek Day (July 14th), Race Your Mouse Around the Icons Day (Aug. 28th), Big Whopper Liar Day (Sept. 15th), National Babbling Day (Oct. 15th) and my all time favorite which I do endorse whole heartedly – National Men Make Dinner Day (Nov. 7th). Nevertheless, as strange as these holidays may be somewhere some company has turned even the strangest holidays into a money maker and we buy into all this garbage.
What happen to the days when Holidays were meant for spending time with family and friends? When commercials on TV were about the true meaning behind certain holidays and I don’t mean the weird holidays, but the ones like – Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, Easter and Veteran’s day just to name a few. When did holidays become such big money makers? And more importantly, why do we buy into all of this?
Has anyone noticed how Christmas items start wandering onto the shelves in July? By October, you see Halloween items on one shelf and across from them you are looking at a Nativity scene. That is just too freaky for me. Come on, at least wait until Mr. Headless Horseman has rode off into the night before placing Santa Claus next to him.
Not only have businesses started pushing holidays earlier and earlier each year, but it seems every company is jumping on the band wagon even those that have nothing to do with the holiday. The other day I got some junk mail in my post box – Save for Father’s Day it read – all bra’s, panties and panty hose 20% off! What?!?!?!? Just what my Dad needs – another bra! 😉 At least the grocery store was offering tampons “Buy One Get one Free” for their Father’s day special. Now that is something Dad can really use – stops them nose bleeds every time!
I don’t know about you all, but I’m tired of seeing what I consider sacred holidays being turned into nothing more than dollar signs. What should be a time of good will and celebration instead leaves me feeling pressured and stressed. While I’m not obligated to buy anything, I feel I should.
How about you? Do you find yourself feeling pressured to – buy buy buy? As each new holiday approaches do you find yourself left with a feeling of dread?
How do you handle the commercialism of Holidays? Do you buy into all the garbage?
-Tammy 🙂
PS: Now I’m off to buy gifts for my Dad, my Father-in-Law, my husband, and the milkman. :p