Christmas is a time for family, not fortune-making for business

Kian Hagerman

Every year it seems that stores start the Christmas season earlier and earlier, making the holiday less special by artificially extending its length.

This year I noticed that displays emblazoned with old St. Nicholas were already set in stores, not only before Thanksgiving but even before Halloween.

I have often heard from those around me how silly it seemed that Christmas should start as early Thanksgiving, but I think that things are becoming absurd.

To me it seems obvious the intent behind the slow creep of Christmas into the rest of the year; retail companies want to milk the profit-making potential of the holiday for all it’s worth.

This should be abhorrent to anyone who celebrates the holiday not as a time of receiving material goods, but rather as a short period where families come together and enjoy each other’s company.

When I think back on Christmas, while I remember myself as a child overjoyed at opening gifts, what I remember most was the time my family spent together in the days surrounding the holiday.

Even at a young age I understood that these few days were something very rare in a life where we are rarely given the means and opportunity to gather together for joyous reasons.

Attempting to wield Christmas as a mere instrument of business is despicable; even today this activity has encouraged many I know to be more cynical about the nature of the holiday.

That isn’t to say that there is no place for turning a profit by supplying a demand for holiday-themed merchandise; but what is wrong with starting the rush on Black Friday?

In the modern world, there should be no need to trample one another in department stores, as technology gives consumers the ability to purchase products and receive them without ever leaving home.

People shouldn’t rush so much, and try so hard to make the year go by faster.

Appreciate the time that you do have, and the moments that are special will be made all the more so.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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