We had barely gotten past Halloween when the onslaught of “holiday” commercials began. I think it was a Walmart ad. All I remember clearly was the personal panic that immediately set in.
It must be my age. Every year I now face the “holidays” with increasing dismay and trepidation instead of the usual joy. They make me tense and uncomfortable instead of those visions of sugar plums I seem to recall from my ancient past. I used to absolutely love Christmas, what happened?
I guess it was a combination of good old American hard sell in their desperation to improve their bottom line by the end of another bad year, in combination with all the nauseatingly sweet and happy families in those ads which we all know are pure fiction.
Why do the Hallmark ads bring a wee tear to our eye? Because we all know they aren’t real life. They are the life we wish for, not the one we have. And those male fantasy commercials where he buys her that special piece of jewelry for Christmas and she then falls into his arms for a night of amazing sex….PLEASE!
I admit, when Mike and I first met, we had a lot of fun going out to buy our first tree together. We were so happy to have someone to share the holiday with. But now, a few years later, it all seems so crass. It has turned into a gigantic bother. The tradition has soured.
I swear if Jesus could come back and see what’s being done in his name, he would probably slit his wrists. It has really turned UGLY for me. Pushy people from advertisers on down. How nasty.
We have decided to opt out this year. No shopping, no gifts, no nothing. Enough is enough!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this post and I’m going to share it on FB!
And You’re so right about Jesus. He probably would slit his wrists. ugh!
Hate to be Scrooge like, but this has to end somewhere! Laura Lee