holidays and commercialisation

[GAT-X207]

how does everyone feel about the commercialisation of holidays? take christmas as an example. its supposed to hav little->no gifts and consist of quality time spent with the family. i find it a bit absurd that its turned into a cash grab for most of today's society?

also one questions bothers me: easter. its suposed to celebrate the ressurection of jesus christ. if thats the goal, then why did a rabbit that hands out eggs have to do with jesus's resurection? there seems to be no logical precession to lead to this outcome.

[semper]

My family spend christmas eve, chirstmas day, boxing day and the day after together. And when I say family I mean, me, my mum, my sis, my 2 grandparents, three aunts, two uncles, seven cousins, and another member of the family. We always go and visit the cemetary to lay reef's on the graves of my family members in the local area. We always receive and send cards and gifts from family members round the world. Exchange lots and lots of phone calls.

In recent years I have also sent presents and spent an hour or two talking to my best mates in NZ over msn on christmas itself. AND on the rare occasion I also go see my dad, his girlfriend and her family.

So nope..id say christmas is still pritty much all about the family for me. We do have gifts, but im 100% certain all of the above would happen without them.

As for easter we dont celebrate it in anyway. Maybe get the young ones a easter egg, the older ones of us get a card and a bit O cash. No one cares what Jesus did on easter 2000 years ago. It has been shoved in everyones face so many times the majority of people are beyond caring. Big deal the guy came back from the dead.. so did Obi Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Qui Gon, Sauron, Neo and daniel jackson..

[Fear Of The Duck]

1. xmas songs and decorations in the middle of october annoy me. it's just... feels out of place and wrong to me...
2. family: thay're on the other side of the galaxy so there's only skype chat
3. gifts: already bought meself one
4. easter: dunno what bunny is doing there, but an egg is a symbol of life, that's why.

No one cares what Jesus did on easter 2000 years ago. It has been shoved in everyones face so many times the majority of people are beyond caring.

aye. sad as it is, but that's what happens when ya try to shove things in ppls face... ya need to ba a bit sneaky if ya wanna succeed (learn from socialists, they're good at this).

can anyone tell me WHAT HAS THAT OVERGROWN, RED DWARF SANTA CLAUS TO DO WITH XMAS?? it's just plain stupid...

now... business ppl aren't responsible for all this... it's normal guys that go crazy for all that crap... business just makes money on ppls stupidity (as always..)

[GAT-X207]

i hate it that stores expliot holidays so much. first its newyears, then on jan2 its valentines day, the feb15 easter etc etc worst is christmas on nov 1st.

[Phlamingoe]

Christmas exploitation actually starts on Black Friday

[Asami Ayano]

Do you know that about 50% of sales are during the Christmas season. So if you think commercialism doesn't belong with Christmas, then you are sorely mistaken.
Our GDP is practically fueled by cosumerism and investment to fuel that consumtion. So if we stop spending at Christmas, you will see a sharp decline in the enconomy. Santa Claus more than just brings little children presents, it gives adults their jobs and maybe even their 401k or IRA.
Yes, it is a cash grab, and I don't mind.

On the other hand, these symbols also popularizes the holiday and keeps the spirit alive. Once again, I will use Christmas...

During the Christmas season, it's true that it's a lot of gifts etc. But it also teaches us to share. During Christmas, the Miracles are no longer made by God, but by people, even non-christians, in the giving mood. Christmas is a time where the true SPIRIT of the holiday can prevail. PArt of that is tied into consummerism.

[mondomadmun]

I don't mind that christmas is so commercialized. but I dont mind it simply because I ignore what it has become.

I spend time with my family any time of the year that we are all available. Christmas is usually a time when everyone doesn't have to work so it is always a time i get to see my family.

The reason why i loathe "christmas" is when my children where younger they didnt understand the true purpose of christmas, and bringing up 2 kids as a single parent really hurt around christmas time. It made me feel like a terrible person not being able to afford the gifts my kids begged me (and santa) for.

The consumeristic side of capatilism is one of the reasons I spent a lot of time in the 70s as an anarchist living in a commune (squatting really). I am still sickened by what the media has driven christmas too, but it all comes down to your personal choice in how you celebrate christmas (and your life). So try not to complain, and live your life merry and free!

[Solus]

...Big deal the guy came back from the dead.. so did Obi Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Qui Gon, Sauron, Neo and daniel jackson..

im sorry you feel that way... i'd make notes as to the origins of the characters you mentioned as examples, but theology isnt what i want to talk about, nor do i wish to join that horde that parade it in your face. doing that is no better than destroying christmas or easter... im happy you have your family to spend christmas with, I know a family where Grandparents are foster parents to 3 beautiful little girls, THAT in my eyes is what the season is about, and the couple that foster parent these kids I really respect... so far as to say they are hero's to me in some respects.

I too am concerned about the consumerism involved with Christmas. Gone are the days of simple gestures and kind loving words. now it seems to be get the better thing and spend much money... as far as I'm concerned, i greive in some respects. Ive known families that suffer through christmas every year. Fortunately i am not in one of them. but it makes me sit back and think, the silly little problems I have (like little money, being rejected for jobs, girls) are nothing compared to the problems those familys have. it should be that we can come together as a community and support those people, remind them that we are here and remember that whatever problems we have we can push past it. Dont get me wrong, as a human being in our civilisation, I would love big and expensive things for christmas however i know i dont need them. My church managed to get many MANY gifts for the needy in our area and that just makes my day. That is what it should be about.


oh my... that was quite a rant... considering im only 18... well lol i guess things have been brewing for a while...

REGARDLESS, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, I SHOULD BE IN THE FORUM BEFORE NEW YEAR COMES.

*hugs all and departs*

[Apadizamek]

Do you know that about 50% of sales are during the Christmas season. So if you think commercialism doesn't belong with Christmas, then you are sorely mistaken..

bwahahahaha. That is the one of the stupidest things i've ever heard.

[Angnoch]

No one cares what Jesus did on easter 2000 years ago. Big deal the guy came back from the dead.. so did Obi Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Qui Gon, Sauron, Neo and daniel jackson..

ROTFLMAO thats just great
I mean really wow

[vinny d]

Yeah except those guys are works of fiction. Jesus actually did exist. Some may not believe his teachings or what he did, that is not the discussion. You can not deny the fact that he did exist. Historical records prove it. So take that and shove it up yodas butt if he has one.

[Angnoch]

so you are gonna go ahead and tell me a real live person died and then came back to life, Jesus existed but the sheer impossibility of that isnt lost on you is it

[Fear Of The Duck]

so you are gonna go ahead and tell me a real live person died and then came back to life, Jesus existed but the sheer impossibility of that isnt lost on you is it

hint: to avoid being called a muppet due to total compromitation of yer logical thinking skills ya should re-read vinny's post and re-edit yers.

[semper]

Yeah except those guys are works of fiction. Jesus actually did exist. Some may not believe his teachings or what he did, that is not the discussion. You can not deny the fact that he did exist. Historical records prove it. So take that and shove it up yodas butt if he has one.

Excuse me... Michale Shanks, Frank Oz, Keanu Reeves, and Alec Guiness are not works of fiction.

You can sit there and happily tell me all you want that Jesus was holy and all that, but there is as much proof that he did what he did, as there is for the above doing what they did. The only difference is, people are certain all the aboves miracles were due clever technical work. Jesus has doubt as to the falsness of his argument because of fear, generations of conditioning and the fact there are no records other then a 2000 year old misguided book of morals to prove what he did was done. For all we know in 2000years Michale Shanks may be in just the same position. Did he ascend and come back? Prove to me he didnt.

Lol..so shove that up thou owns arse..if thou has one.

[Fear Of The Duck]

Yeah except those guys are works of fiction. Jesus actually did exist. Some may not believe his teachings or what he did, that is not the discussion. You can not deny the fact that he did exist. Historical records prove it. So take that and shove it up yodas butt if he has one.

Excuse me... Michale Shanks, Frank Oz, Keanu Reeves, and Alec Guiness are not works of fiction.

You can sit there and happily tell me all you want that Jesus was holy and all that, but there is as much proof that he did what he did, as there is for the above doing what they did. The only difference is, people are certain all the aboves miracles were due clever technical work. Jesus has doubt as to the falsness of his argument because of fear, generations of conditioning and the fact there are no records other then a 2000 year old misguided book of morals to prove what he did was done. For all we know in 2000years Michale Shanks may be in just the same position. Did he ascend and come back? Prove to me he didnt.

Lol..so shove that up thou owns arse..if thou has one.

hint: to avoid being called a muppet due to total compromitation of yer logical thinking skills ya should re-read yer first post, vinny's post and re-edit yers last.