On the Commercialization of Christmas
Red, white, and green fill the packed aisles of grocery stores and the frosted windows of street shops. You sip on a peppermint mocha, listening to Mariah Carey and watching passersby walk past rows and rows of string lights and garlands. Whether you like it or not, December has rolled around–it's Christmas in New York.
In the US, millions of people ready their trees with holiday ornaments and fill their shopping carts in preparation for a Christmas gift-giving frenzy. Ironically, it seems like the holiday hats and cheery presents are appearing increasingly earlier in the month as the years go by. With all the festivity, it's hard to define this season with just one concept–is this actually a holiday, or just a mass-marketed corporate campaign?
It is true that Christmas has its roots in Pagan traditions, later being adopted by the Christian church to commemorate the birthday of Jesus Christ. Nonetheless, its origins seem to take a backseat to the frantic shopping sprees and consumerism which dominates the Christmas season. As early as the 1800s, Christmas themes began appearing in advertisements within major cities such as New York City and Boston. The commercial campaigns spread rapidly–mass advertising commercials and storefront displays filled with holiday tunes and decorations have infiltrated our country until it became what it is today. In 2021, a total of $886.7 billion dollars were spent by consumers on Christmas-associated purchases, a figure which has only climbed higher and higher.
Even Santa Claus, a hallmark Christmas figure, has a history which is overlooked in our country–the concept of Santa originated from the story of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop who inspired those around him with his generosity and philanthropy. Unfortunately, the most glaring difference between Christmas in the US and other countries is the magnitude of historical depth that is sacrificed for the sake of commercialization. In the pursuit of profits, retailers inundate consumers with advertisements and promotions, diluting historical narratives and transforming the holiday into a spending spree.
It could be argued that this version of Christmas is not necessarily for the worse. After all, the US is a melting pot of cultures and religions. As such, our deviation from other countries' tendencies to hold tightly to historical contexts or conventional practices is not an abnormality by any means. However, the degree of superficiality and historical detachment with which Americans approach Christmas may feel concerning. Rather than creating a holiday spirit, all the commercialization surrounding Christmas may be taking away from it. It could truly boil down to the question of what a holiday should consist of in the first place–if a holiday contains a core meaning that transcends materialism, how can consumerism and pop culture contribute to these meanings without overshadowing them?
No matter your opinion, it might not be a bad idea to pause and reflect on what you consider the true meaning of the holiday season to be. While the vibrant decorations and festivals may imbue a sense of joy in many people, it is also important to consider those who celebrate different holidays, refrain from participating in major festivities, or opt to not commemorate a holiday at all. Making every time of the year a more happy and inclusive space for all–that's a cause that is always in season.
