Christmas and Consumerism
Jeanwah
Posts: 6,363
Christmas time, or "the holiday season" if you prefer gentler, more politically correct words in your ears, carries with it a frantic all-out blitz of seasonal advertising. As the end of the year approaches, consumers are reminded constantly to go ahead and spend any cash we may have managed to save during the year. The companies desperate for our dollars are merciless in their attack. Any reason their research indicates might possibly entice a consumer to purchase a product becomes a lofty principle woven between alluring images. Shopping rises to foremost concern in the national agenda.
In our daily lives within this capitalist culture, we are exposed to advertisements at such a constant rate that I don't think I would even want to know a statistical estimate. In fact, I'm sure my brain has a stat stored away that it overheard somewhere, but did not allow access to my consciousness in a vain attempt to protect me from pain. Despite the obvious inundation of manipulative messages, how often do people actually take the time to contemplate what they are absorbing? Most are too afraid to consider the situation seriously.
A closer look at some of the ludicrous pitches is instantly offensive to anyone with even a slight sensitivity. The most shockingly offensive holiday commercials for me are those that casually encourage people to purchase absurdly luxurious items for their loved ones this holiday season.
Lexus, in a series of commercials depicting some alternate universe of infinite wealth and leisure, sets the standard for upper crust gift giving. We are shown just how happy and proud our husband or father will be when he sees his gigantic new SUV with the leather interior and CD player sitting in the driveway wrapped in a red bow. Who buys someone a car for Christmas? Especially a luxury car! Is Lexus targeting the elusive professional athlete demographic, or just trying to make the rest of us feel bad about ourselves? Even Shaq only bought each of his teammates a Rolex after winning the NBA title. He didn't give out a fleet of giant luxury vehicles to show his thanks.
Meanwhile, jewelry cartels and department stores conspire to counsel men that no gift pleases a wife more than a diamond necklace, ring, bracelet, or at least earrings. Grateful wives clad in silky lingerie imply exactly what gift men should expect in return for their expenditure. The price is not quite as lavish as the tag on a Yuletide Lex, but we're still talking about dropping five grand on a single gift. Of course, the wives see the ads too, so the gift certainly would produce some level of perceived happiness as promised. Diamonds are pretty and expensive; it can't be denied.
These advertisements are not spoon-feeding us complete lies, but they are clearly intended to manipulate. Every day, we sit prone for hours before television screens and passively absorb images and words intended to convince us that the purchase of certain products will satisfy something inside us, or in some way improve our lives. It might be different if these assertions were founded in some sort of rational thought. Personally, I find it difficult to justify how spending far too much money on an overpriced, unpractical vehicle or fashion accessory could provide any valid or spiritually sound sense of happiness.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the unselfish pleasure experienced by witnessing the appreciative excitement a well-chosen gift produces in its recipient. And I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with getting giddy when someone gives you a great gift either. As long as the reaction is true, there is no problem. The difficulty arises in determining for one's self exactly which reactions are in fact true reactions. We must learn to step back and question the nature of our desires in order to find out whether they originated from an ad we saw fifty times this week, or if they arose from honest, spontaneous emotion. Sifting through the overabundance of external information and influence to discover our true selves is the tricky part.
In our daily lives within this capitalist culture, we are exposed to advertisements at such a constant rate that I don't think I would even want to know a statistical estimate. In fact, I'm sure my brain has a stat stored away that it overheard somewhere, but did not allow access to my consciousness in a vain attempt to protect me from pain. Despite the obvious inundation of manipulative messages, how often do people actually take the time to contemplate what they are absorbing? Most are too afraid to consider the situation seriously.
A closer look at some of the ludicrous pitches is instantly offensive to anyone with even a slight sensitivity. The most shockingly offensive holiday commercials for me are those that casually encourage people to purchase absurdly luxurious items for their loved ones this holiday season.
Lexus, in a series of commercials depicting some alternate universe of infinite wealth and leisure, sets the standard for upper crust gift giving. We are shown just how happy and proud our husband or father will be when he sees his gigantic new SUV with the leather interior and CD player sitting in the driveway wrapped in a red bow. Who buys someone a car for Christmas? Especially a luxury car! Is Lexus targeting the elusive professional athlete demographic, or just trying to make the rest of us feel bad about ourselves? Even Shaq only bought each of his teammates a Rolex after winning the NBA title. He didn't give out a fleet of giant luxury vehicles to show his thanks.
Meanwhile, jewelry cartels and department stores conspire to counsel men that no gift pleases a wife more than a diamond necklace, ring, bracelet, or at least earrings. Grateful wives clad in silky lingerie imply exactly what gift men should expect in return for their expenditure. The price is not quite as lavish as the tag on a Yuletide Lex, but we're still talking about dropping five grand on a single gift. Of course, the wives see the ads too, so the gift certainly would produce some level of perceived happiness as promised. Diamonds are pretty and expensive; it can't be denied.
These advertisements are not spoon-feeding us complete lies, but they are clearly intended to manipulate. Every day, we sit prone for hours before television screens and passively absorb images and words intended to convince us that the purchase of certain products will satisfy something inside us, or in some way improve our lives. It might be different if these assertions were founded in some sort of rational thought. Personally, I find it difficult to justify how spending far too much money on an overpriced, unpractical vehicle or fashion accessory could provide any valid or spiritually sound sense of happiness.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the unselfish pleasure experienced by witnessing the appreciative excitement a well-chosen gift produces in its recipient. And I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with getting giddy when someone gives you a great gift either. As long as the reaction is true, there is no problem. The difficulty arises in determining for one's self exactly which reactions are in fact true reactions. We must learn to step back and question the nature of our desires in order to find out whether they originated from an ad we saw fifty times this week, or if they arose from honest, spontaneous emotion. Sifting through the overabundance of external information and influence to discover our true selves is the tricky part.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
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I love Christmas.....
I love everything about it...........Take me piece by piece.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....0 -
i'm glad i don't watch much tv, occasionally i flip around and some of the shows and commercials remind me why i don't watch....don't compete; coexist
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'0 -
My family did no presents last year (little kids excluded), and it was GREAT. We're doing it again this year.
It's not even the money, although it is great to NOT drop tons of dough at the end of the year-- it's more a matter of convenience. None of us need anything, thankfully. None of us are big into shopping, especially at this time of year when people will (ironically) kill for a parking spot, or run you over bouncing from store to store-- maybe this only happens in NY
? We figured, why put ourselves through it all just because everyone else is?
Looking forward to another stress-free, peaceful, Christmas!0 -
Me, too.Pepe Silvia wrote:
i'm glad i don't watch much tv, occasionally i flip around and some of the shows and commercials remind me why i don't watch....
I have a media marketing degree because I loved the psychology and business behind advertising. Now I can't stand what it does to people. It's really quite sick the intentional manipulation it plays and society that falls for it all.
Things do not equal happiness. Obligatory spending at Christmas is nothing but what society expects, even when most gifts are crap and things that no one even truly needs or wants.0 -
VINNY GOOMBA wrote:My family did no presents last year (little kids excluded), and it was GREAT. We're doing it again this year.
It's not even the money, although it is great to NOT drop tons of dough at the end of the year-- it's more a matter of convenience. None of us need anything, thankfully. None of us are big into shopping, especially at this time of year when people will (ironically) kill for a parking spot, or run you over bouncing from store to store-- maybe this only happens in NY ? We figured, why put ourselves through it all just because everyone else is?
Looking forward to another stress-free, peaceful, Christmas!
Right on, Vinny! Convincing my family the same is extra difficult as they are a materialistic brood.0 -
Jeanwah wrote:
Me, too.Pepe Silvia wrote:
i'm glad i don't watch much tv, occasionally i flip around and some of the shows and commercials remind me why i don't watch....
I have a media marketing degree because I loved the psychology and business behind advertising. Now I can't stand what it does to people. It's really quite sick the intentional manipulation it plays and society that falls for it all.
Things do not equal happiness. Obligatory spending at Christmas is nothing but what society expects, even when most gifts are crap and things that no one even truly needs or wants.
I would hate to have the outlook that you have...
The world is going to shit
The government sucks
My job sucks
I hate Christmas......Take me piece by piece.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....0 -
SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:Jeanwah wrote:
Me, too.Pepe Silvia wrote:
i'm glad i don't watch much tv, occasionally i flip around and some of the shows and commercials remind me why i don't watch....
I have a media marketing degree because I loved the psychology and business behind advertising. Now I can't stand what it does to people. It's really quite sick the intentional manipulation it plays and society that falls for it all.
Things do not equal happiness. Obligatory spending at Christmas is nothing but what society expects, even when most gifts are crap and things that no one even truly needs or wants.
I would hate to have the outlook that you have...
The world is going to shit
The government sucks
My job sucks
I hate Christmas......
is christmas only about buying people cheap crap (most likely made in china) that they will hardly ever to very rarely (if ever) use? really?
better than the outlook you seem to have of 'meh, my life and small bubble is ok, fuck everyone else!!'don't compete; coexist
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'0 -
If that is what YOU believe Christmas is all about....Pepe Silvia wrote:
is christmas only about buying people cheap crap (most likely made in china) that they will hardly ever to very rarely (if ever) use? really?
Then that is your choice.....
Im glad I dont have your attitude either.......Take me piece by piece.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....0 -
Well...IMO it's getting TOO 'Commercialised'...Buy this!...Buy that!...and it's a Bit "Hypocritical"...It's a DAY of 'Giving' and 'Caring'.....Hang on! Shouldn't people be LIKE that EVERY DAY of the Year?0
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At least I don't sit back and believe that living the American Dream of owning crap and living in a bubble is essential to being happy.SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:Jeanwah wrote:
Me, too.Pepe Silvia wrote:
i'm glad i don't watch much tv, occasionally i flip around and some of the shows and commercials remind me why i don't watch....
I have a media marketing degree because I loved the psychology and business behind advertising. Now I can't stand what it does to people. It's really quite sick the intentional manipulation it plays and society that falls for it all.
Things do not equal happiness. Obligatory spending at Christmas is nothing but what society expects, even when most gifts are crap and things that no one even truly needs or wants.
I would hate to have the outlook that you have...
The world is going to shit
The government sucks
My job sucks
I hate Christmas......
Things don't make one truly happy Speedy. And I never said my job sucked.0 -
Exactly. It's not "giving" nor "caring" if it only happens once a year.i_lov_it wrote:Well...IMO it's getting TOO 'Commercialised'...Buy this!...Buy that!...and it's a Bit "Hypocritical"...It's a DAY of 'Giving' and 'Caring'.....Hang on! Shouldn't people be LIKE that EVERY DAY of the Year?
I'd like to know how a gift of the Clapper or a Snuggie defines how one feels about another person.0 -
Instead you sit back and let life pass you by...Jeanwah wrote:At least I don't sit back and believe that living the American Dream of owning crap and living in a bubble is essential to being happy.
Things don't make one truly happy Speedy. And I never said my job sucked.
Because you are too busy whining and complaining about everything.Take me piece by piece.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....0 -
Assumptions, assumptions... :roll:SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:
Instead you sit back and let life pass you by...Jeanwah wrote:At least I don't sit back and believe that living the American Dream of owning crap and living in a bubble is essential to being happy.
Things don't make one truly happy Speedy. And I never said my job sucked.
Because you are too busy whining and complaining about everything.0 -
Exactly...Jeanwah wrote:
Assumptions, assumptions... :roll:SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:
Instead you sit back and let life pass you by...Jeanwah wrote:At least I don't sit back and believe that living the American Dream of owning crap and living in a bubble is essential to being happy.
Things don't make one truly happy Speedy. And I never said my job sucked.
Because you are too busy whining and complaining about everything.
Like you assume I own crap and live in a bubble....Take me piece by piece.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....0 -
SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:
If that is what YOU believe Christmas is all about....Pepe Silvia wrote:
is christmas only about buying people cheap crap (most likely made in china) that they will hardly ever to very rarely (if ever) use? really?
Then that is your choice.....
Im glad I dont have your attitude either.......
well, no, that's not all i think it's about but that is the aspect being discussed here and you seemed to disagreedon't compete; coexist
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'0 -
Have you ever given or received The Clapper for a Christmas gift??Jeanwah wrote:
Exactly. It's not "giving" nor "caring" if it only happens once a year.i_lov_it wrote:Well...IMO it's getting TOO 'Commercialised'...Buy this!...Buy that!...and it's a Bit "Hypocritical"...It's a DAY of 'Giving' and 'Caring'.....Hang on! Shouldn't people be LIKE that EVERY DAY of the Year?
I'd like to know how a gift of the Clapper or a Snuggie defines how one feels about another person.
Would you ever buy one of these for your parents??
Your children??
Your nieces/nephews???
Would you go out and buy one for grandma/grandpa???
Or would you maybe take a little time, and put some thought and effort, in to buying a loved one something they actually might cherish and enjoy???Post edited by SPEEDY MCCREADY onTake me piece by piece.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....0 -
Wow, how can Christmas create so much tension? The original poster is entitled to his opinion but I have to disagree totally with his view of Christmas. Its a wonderful time of the year when families and friends come together and put everything else aside. I get the point about expensive gifts a,d cars and diamonds. I agree with you there but just dont buy them, and dude, stop watching telly if it turns you into a rabid buyer. I dont let advertising get past my eye lenses. Im a retailers worst nightmare. Noone can make me part with my money unless I have thought it through and feel that what Im buying is going to be a benefit to the person intended. Christmas is about sharing and hopefully re connecting with the people you love. Good food, drink and conversation. Some time off work for most.
I work at a christmas soup kitchen in the morning (7am til 2pm) on the day and then go home for dinner with my family, pop around and see friends. Get home at about 8pm and get drunk and listen to PJ, have more food. Thats a magical day and I love it. If someone has no where to go that day and wants to have dinner with me and my family then they are welcome, the more the better in my opinion. Some might be eating cheese and crackers but we have plenty of drink :-)
Anyways, christmas is a fantastic time and I love it!0 -
i am for the most part anti-consumerism but i understand the hypocrisy in that in owning an iPhone ... having said that - i'm part of a birthday group of friends where when it's someone's bday - we'll all pool our money to get one thing they really want ... for me - they make a donation to a charity on my behalf ... it's the best gift i can ever get ...0
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Very well written by the OP. As a parent, the toughest part of the year is trying to swing the pendulum in my kids' hearts between the true spirit of Christmas (the giving) vs. the true spirit of consumerism (the getting). We abandoned the 'gift orgy' Christmas morning a while ago (for financial reasons when our family was younger, but for other reasons now). Each member of our family buys one gift for every other member of the family and then everyone gets one from 'Santa.' On Christmas morning, everyone watches as one painstakingly chosen gift at a time is presented and opened. It's something very special and my kids have actually said they prefer that to opening a pile of presents twice as big all at once (as they do when we inevitably visit the grandparents during the holidays). Anyway, that works for us. As the years have gone by and money has become a little less scarce, we've resisted the urge to buy more and have never regretted it.
So I guess holiday consumerism isn't a bad thing, as long as it's not the ONLY thing, IMO.I smile, but who am I kidding...0 -
philthehip wrote:Wow, how can Christmas create so much tension? The original poster is entitled to his opinion but I have to disagree totally with his view of Christmas. Its a wonderful time of the year when families and friends come together and put everything else aside. I get the point about expensive gifts a,d cars and diamonds. I agree with you there but just dont buy them, and dude, stop watching telly if it turns you into a rabid buyer. I dont let advertising get past my eye lenses. Im a retailers worst nightmare. Noone can make me part with my money unless I have thought it through and feel that what Im buying is going to be a benefit to the person intended. Christmas is about sharing and hopefully re connecting with the people you love. Good food, drink and conversation. Some time off work for most.
I work at a christmas soup kitchen in the morning (7am til 2pm) on the day and then go home for dinner with my family, pop around and see friends. Get home at about 8pm and get drunk and listen to PJ, have more food. Thats a magical day and I love it. If someone has no where to go that day and wants to have dinner with me and my family then they are welcome, the more the better in my opinion. Some might be eating cheese and crackers but we have plenty of drink :-)
Anyways, christmas is a fantastic time and I love it!
Wow...The only CHRISTMAS'S I remember is where YOUR trying to have an ENJOYABLE Day!...yet ALLLLL Day your getting...from Everyone is "When are you getting a Job?"...or "When are you Moving OUT?"...or "What are you doing with your LIFE?"...COMBINE that with the 'HYPOCRISY' of the Whole DAY!!!...
:? :?0
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