It’s Christmas time and every year the consumerism that is Christmas makes me more and more sick. Everywhere you turn there are more commercials for buying presents, justifying hundreds of dollars to be spent on “your loved one”. And this comes from someone who works in marketing!
Since when did Christmas become about spending inordinate amounts of money on gifts? Ever since retailers could make a profit I guess. But really this phenomena has only sprouted in the age of mass media. And we’ve lost sight of the real point of Christmas.
You can argue that the point of Christmas from a retailer’s point of view is to maximize profit, and that is a valid argument. I used to work in marketing for a large retailer in Australia, and the profitability of a store for its whole year is determined by how successful a Christmas campaign they have. Sad isn’t it?
This year my wife and I agreed to a $20 limit on the gift we would give each other. We have friends who are astounded when they hear that, wondering what’s wrong with us. How can we keep the marriage together without expensive gifts? Where’s our Christmas spirit?
Well for twenty dollars you need to be creative. You need to think and consider carefully to get the right gift. It’s the thought that counts. It’s not a matter of going through the store flyers and circling requests. What’s the point in that? Why not go and get that yourself? Why wait for Christmas?
Christmas is a time to be with family. A time for giving and sharing. A time for kindness and love. It doesn’t just have to be about spending money.
