THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF CHRISTMAS

When I was in Florida in September, I noticed the stores were getting their Christmas displays and merchandise ready for the Christmas season. Summer goods disappeared and Christmas decorations took their places on the shelves. I really dislike having to deal with Christmas in September. I’m glad I didn’t hear Jingle Bells or Silent Night as I strolled through the aisles! Oh well, I thought, that’s just the way they do it now in the States, and probably Canada, too.

I get back to Merida only to find the same damn thing! In September, Home Depot, Servi-Star, Sam’s Club, and COSTCO, each had their Christmas merchandise displayed for sale! And, GOOD GRIEF!!!! People were actually buying it! (Am I missing something here??) I even saw Christmas goods at my favorite supermarket, MEGA! It seems the gringo stores are influencing the local stores, and to be competitive, the locals are putting their Christmas goods out earlier, and earlier so as to not let the gringo stores get a jump start on them! (As I said before, I dislike having to deal with Christmas in September.)

I’m old enough to remember the way Christmas was celebrated by my (then) large family. The biggest part of the event was the gathering of the entire family for Christmas dinner. We embraced the religious aspects of Christmas and the spirit of the season. Gift giving was an added pleasure and always a welcomed surprise by kids, and not an obligation on anyone’s part. Things were actually simpler and less complicated then. The tree never went up until after Thanksgiving and all the leftovers were gone! Progress, ‘ya gotta luv it.

Have I mentioned that I dislike dealing with Christmas in September?