The lights are switched on, the trees are put up, like it or not, Christmas is fast approaching. Christmas is a time of love, joy and happiness, the Yuletide season truly is the most wonderful time of year. But, in light of the £6 million John Lewis advert, the question has to be raised, has Christmas become too commercialised?
Many would argue that Christmas has become too commercialised. One local shopper said that ‘Christmas is meant to be about happiness, but instead everyone appears to be obsessed with presents and TV adverts.’ The shopper has a valid point, although the festive adverts emphasise the joyful atmosphere of the season, the extraordinarily high budget for adverts could be more wisely spent, for example, donated to worthwhile charities which are so often forgotten during the Christmas season.
Moreover, the British population would appear to love to share happiness in the form of gift. Last year, Britons spent £22.5 billion on Christmas, whilst receiving a gift is a truly wonderful moment, it is questionable whether £22.5 billion is a reasonable amount of money to be spent on our loved ones. Also, our obsession with gift giving is also detrimental for many people, not everyone can afford to splash their cash on presents, yet society tells us that gifts are essential to ensure Christmas runs smoothly, this put a financial strain on families across the county, to the point where many people get into debt to ensure that their loved ones get the gifts they want. Big brands hardly curb our fascination with presents, well known businesses such as Selfridges opened their festive doors ridiculously early, their Christmas shop opened one hundred and forty three days before the big day. Now, I am by no means a professional Christmas shopper, but surely no one needs one hundred and forty three days to decide what to give their loved ones?
Obviously, Christmas will always be the most important time of the year for many people, and rightly so. However, during this festive season. don’t forget the real importance of Christmas, showing your love for those who you care for. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Lily Carlse, St. Philomena's High School
