It seems to me that the most common thing that I have been hearing from people concerning the holiday season is that they are practically broke now that their preparations are finished. I find this very dissatisfying. Why are people spending hundreds of dollars on stocking stuffers? Why do people feel the need to buy dozens of gifts for their children? For some, Christmas is a time to take a moment for introspection and to reach out to those in need. For others, Christmas is a time to buy all of those things that you've wanted all year, but couldn't justify getting. Some people try to do both, but it seems to me that the rampant materialism of our culture is growing ever more dominant.
I feel like we are bribing our children to be good for one month out of the year, and then we reward them with more toys than they will ever have time to appreciate. Saint Nicholas, who was a symbol of humility and generosity, has become Santa Claus, who is a symbol of getting what you want regardless of how many times your parents have threatened you with coal. Even the most rotten child still gets their dozens of presents on Christmas morning, because what parent is really going to give out coal? So these children grow up expecting to get what they want, no matter how they act, and each year promises better gifts than the last. Then they have children of their own, and the cycle continues.
Here is what I think: children do not need much for the holidays. If they only ever get a couple of gifts, then that is what they think is normal. If you spent the season focusing on doing good deeds and looking for opportunities to help those around you, then that is what Christmas will mean to them. Now that I'm having a child of my own, people keep telling me that I have to do this or I have to do that. Christmas isn't Christmas if I don't follow the American tradition. Yet when I hear all of the complaining about how much money was spent and how there's still so much left to buy, I think to myself that I don't want that kind of Christmas. I don't want the focus of the holiday to be on the presents and the stockings. I want my children to contemplate on who they can help, rather than what they can get.
Well, I appreciate your willingness to let me vent some of my feelings. I really do love this time of year. I just hope that the attitude of materialism never fully takes over what is really important. Please take the opportunity to reach out to someone in need, and keep the spirit of Christmas as it should be.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
