Commercialism Crowding Out Family Time

What has happened to holiday traditions of not only one holiday at a time but a focus on family time?

For a number of years Christmas has become so commercialized that advertisements have begun before Thanksgiving even arrives and Halloween items are cleared away and replaced by Christmas items.

Sure, some people do shop early and prefer to do so but many of us still prefer to take each holiday as it comes and that means none or not much Christmas shopping until Thanksgiving is over.

Actually, not everyone crowds around a table with the traditional turkey, dressing and veggies anymore. Many opt to go to a restaurant, which is fine and the upside to this is — there isn’t any kitchen to clean up. If that has become a family tradition so be it.

What is more bothersome is Christmas commercialism crowding out Thanksgiving. Now we have stores opening on Thanksgiving day. There was “Black Friday” when stores opened earlier than usual the day after Thanksgiving.

That worked real well with people crowding into stores, especially the so-called big box stores, for bargain prices on certain items. So now we have another commercialized tradition — opening on Thanksgiving evening.

Some employees might not have as many family members to celebrate with or if they do won’t mind earning extra income to go in to work. But it all seems like we’re losing more and more of what two of our special holidays really mean.

Thanksgiving was meant to be, and up until recently before all the marketing bargain busters ripped it apart, about getting together with family, enjoying a day of conversation and maybe ball games. It probably still is for many people. But for many others, it’s shopping time — go wait in long lines for marked down prices that might save a little money. At what cost though? Precious time with one’s children or parents, aunts or uncles.

We Americans are being manipulated into giving up time that has traditionally meant family time at Thanksgiving.

As for Christmas, well, it has become so commercialized until we often forget it is about the Christ child who was born in a manger.

Oh, there is still some religion left in that holiday but mostly people are thinking about what the kids want Santa to bring and what can be afforded right now. And kids don’t want just any toy any more. No, they want the latest high- tech machine on the market, the new X- Box, new PlayStation, new games, an updated cellphone. Too many Santa letters from first- and second-graders prove they want what they see either other children having or in TV commercials.

What happened to a truck for Johnny and a cute and simple doll for Jane?

We’ve moved into a new age in more ways than one and it’s really a shame to lose the traditions of family at Thanksgiving, simple toys for Christmas and just a more relaxed, enjoyable time when family meant more than some crowded store where long lines mean not everybody even gets a bargain.

It was more of a bargain a few years ago when holiday time meant family time.

Pat Harris