Christmas, the seasonal holiday that brings families together and temporarily abolishes family disputes. The once innocent holiday has been transformed into a “What are you getting me?” holiday. Many people believe that the true meaning of Christmas has been eradicated and that a lot of people only partake in it as it’s just ‘what you do’. The majority of the public sees the ‘true’ meaning of Christmas to be to spend time with family and reward and appreciate them with gifts, although this is not the factual meaning of Christmas. The true significance of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, although many atheist people still celebrate this holiday. Many people of the community now vision Christmas as a cultural holiday rather than a religious one. Christmas is celebrated by over 96% of Christians and over 81% non-Christians around the world. But why do so many non-Christian people celebrate this holiday? Are they merely indoctrinated by marketing and décor?
The main reason we have the custom of giving and receiving gifts during Christmas is as a representation of the presents given to Jesus, by the wise men. These priceless gifts were known to be Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh. These religious features have now become meaningless and insincere to the general public and Christmas is seen to be used as a marionette for shops and companies to earn more money. Christmas is known to be economically significant as it is a peak selling season for many traders and retailers internationally. Sales increase radically as people purchase gifts, decorations and provisions to celebrate the holiday. In the United States, it has been calibrated that over a quarter of all personal spending takes place during this season, and that the average person spends over $800 (approx 600 pounds) on gifts and decor. In the UK in 2010, over 8 billion pounds was expected to be spent online at Christmas, which is approximately a quarter of total retail festive sales.
Almost every shop you can think of contributes to the Christmas holiday, whether it’s a Christmas sale, exclusive festive items or merely simple Christmas decorations. Companies engage in the holiday excessively to help promote their businesses and merchandise, in the aims of earning more money and gaining regular customers. As the sight or Christmas is constantly incarcerating us, is it hard to suppress it? Do we feel as if we’re obliged to participate in it? It is apparent that the industries evidently export the season for economic gain, Niall Monaghan said, “I don’t have a problem with the physical decorations but I know that the shops will dismantle their decorations on Christmas Eve before they close, so they are ready for the New Year. This shows that they are not interested in the true meaning of Christmas they just want you to buy their produce."
On the other hand, many people believe that Christmas is not too commercialized and think that Christmas is supplementary the way it is. Almost every school in the UK educates their pupils on the story of Christmas and the large majority represents this story in a physical reenactment called the Nativity, where children can understand and interpret the story via theatre and acting. Around three fourths of primary schools in the UK put on a Nativity play and a Church of England spokesman said: "The Nativity play is alive and well.”[ii] As this story is frequently heard of and acknowledged it does no damage to incorporate a few additional, non-religious items for Christmas as it makes it more exciting it and helps universal it, so that everyone can enjoy it. Christians are still attending Church in order to celebrate Christmas in religious attire and they will continue to for many generations, therefore the true meaning will be carried on sustainably. Others think that the constant reminder of Christmas is a positive thing, as it adds character and ambiance to the holiday, and increases the pleasure of it. Even if it is not celebrated religiously by all, it can still be a time to enjoy and cherish. Others have the idea that it is not the retail industry’s fault that the community enjoys to indulge in this holiday, and if Christmas is what the majority prefers to spend their money on, what’s the harm?
In conclusion, this point can be taken both ways; Christmas can be seen to be too commercialized, as the true meaning can be seen to be diminishing, although schools still educate their pupils about the meaning. Just because we choose as individuals to spend our own earnings on the Christmas holiday, it is not the marketing industry’s fault. Christmas has always been a renowned, household family, what would it be without the decorations and festivity?
By Riana Krishna, Sutton High Schoo
[ii] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4102277.stm
