Let’s have
a quick raise of hands! Who’s already feeling the Christmas spirit?
It’s barely
middle of November and Christmas is already all around us. The minute we
finished celebrating the 1st and 2nd of November, all the
stores and malls lit up the lights and brought out trees dripping with
ornaments. Even my inbox is filled with gift ideas, special holiday offers and
guides to “The Perfect Christmas”.
Why is
everyone in such a hurry to start preparing for the holidays? Of course it’s
good to start looking for gifts for your loved ones ahead of time, simply
because they will be well thought through and you could save money and your
nerves, but with over a month to go the commercial aspect of Christmas just
kills it for me.
It seems to
me that we have lost the importance of this holiday. It no longer appears to be
a family event, cultivating traditions and enriching our relationships with
people around us. We get lost in all the things that we HAVE to do, everything
has to be picture perfect. By the time that 24th of December comes,
we will be sick and tired of Santa singing carols and the whole atmosphere can
get even annoying.
When I was younger,
waiting for Christmas started on the 1st of December, when I got my
annual advent calendar. Of course as a kid I didn’t have to think about
organizing anything but I can’t remember going to the stores so early and
seeing holiday themed decorations.
How do you
feel about the commercialization of this wonderful holiday? Is the shopping
craze getting to you yet? What part of Christmas are you most excited about? When
you finally start feeling the atmosphere?
Sources:
Comments
Having been to Asia, however, I know what commercialized Christmas really means -there people are shopping crazy, buying all they can, and t hey don't even celebrate real Christmas! That's something to think about.
Personally, I buy things after Christmas, after bonus salary and when people are selling unwanted gifts on Allegro, stores have post-Christmas sales etc. ;-)
I was ill for last 2 weeks and I didn't come out of house, and when I saw few days ago that our city is getting christmas decorations it has touched me in this good way :) I love christmas :D
BTW have you seen this commercial? That was first "christmas" connected thing I have seen this year. It is so beautiful, really touching :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iccscUFY860
I agree that nowadays we forget about the meaning of this holiday. Everyone is so stressed out about proper gifts, looking good during the eve or preparing tasty meals that we do not remember about celebrating being together.
Same with my, when I was little beggining of Deceamber was the begginig of Christmas time. Now it's like in the middle of November. I don't mind, I like this athomosphere. But I am convinced that salesmen don't give a damn about holiday. They just want to sell as many stuff as possible. Even the sign on the attached picture says " Wyścig po prezenty". It's rather sad that for many christmas equals present race. In my family we don't give each other big presents. We usually give a book or something like that. And to be honest I buy those presents as soon as possbile in order to avoid all thah crowd in the shops. Actually when decamber comes I try to stay as far from shopping centers as I can. I only take advantages of sales at the end of the month. Discount is so atractive then that it pays off. I'm really excited about light instalations all over the town, especailly on "Trakt Królewski". And you? WHat is your favourite part Julia?:)
Christmas is commercialized when we let it be that way (where there is demand there will be supply) and I'm personally experiencing it as a good opportunity to make delicious things and create a warm atmosphere :) I don't mind having it sooner than in December as it ends too fast for me then.
2 months of christmas season? Why not? I'll have time to make more types of gingerbread cookies!
For me the season starts with the first snow (even if it will happen in October) or (when there is no snow but I already have christmas mood) when I say so :D
Do you want to feel some christmas? Check that out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0soVy4bItCY
what I feel about the commercialization? For me its ok, cause this holiday atmosphere in my cases is independent from shopping.
In Christmas time the best part is eating part I think :D
Now, unfortunetelly the spell has been broken :/ All that commercialization brakes this which is the most important in Christmas time.
It’s amazing time. I, as Christian- Catholic, strive about born of God, not only gift, and other trivial thing. For me the most important time is when I go to the Church in the midnight. Then take place the most important thing of this holiday. Of course this is the huge symbol, but for us- Christians- Catholics it’s very obvious and important. I think, that I’m resistant for all that shopping craze.
Moment, when I finally start feeling the atmosphere? It seems to be moment when I sit down to supper with twelve dishes , moment when I’m together with my family.
I also don't mind it because I mostly ignore these decorations and commercials, as earlier I have different things on my mind. And when Christmas is getting closer and I must start thinking of some preparations, I'm getting this feel naturally.
I hate Christmas shopping, but maybe because I hate crowded places. I have recently gone to Złote Tarasy and it was already a nightmare. And it won't improve for the next 5 weeks. In USA there are Christmas shops open all year round, but it doesn't make the Christmas fever any smaller, I think. For me Christmas is a home and family feast. I love spending time on making Christmas tree decorations (I have very ill-mannered cats and it is cheaper to make new ornaments every year and, as it turns out, they look way cooler than some regular glass balls: we have orange and lemon slices, candies, marshmallows and gingerbread on our tree), cooking, setting up the table, packing the presents, chilling in front of the fireplace, taking walks in the snowy fields... Oh, I can't wait, I've already started listening to Christmas music!