Walking down the street this time of year, it is not unusual to see people scramble in last-minute efforts to find gifts for loved ones.
However, amidst all the chaos, adults fighting, and children crying, would it be fair to say that the commercialization of this time of year has ruined the whole meaning of Christmas?
Gratitude seems to have faded, along with the caring and generosity that typically accompanies Christmas — a time of year for a family.
The Problem?
Whereas in the past Christmas was what it was, a time for family, kindness, appreciation, and the thought of giving rather than receiving.
Now Christmas is solely about receiving, selfishness, and the price tag.
Years ago, Christmas was a more simplistic time; a cheap toy was the perfect gift.
The children were raised with near-perfect manners and so appreciated what little they received. This alongside the absence of overly-complicated and expensive technology made everyone's lives easier and cheaper. But of course, nothing lasts forever.
To give my 2 cents on the issues surrounding Christmas today. I would be inclined to believe that the issues that Christmas face stems from that of the commercialization and marketing from giant companies, desperate to satisfy their unquenchable thirst for financial profit.
You need only look around the streets upon which you stand, the windows of shops are littered with sales or advertisements all stating that the particular product they supply is the 'perfect gift for a loved one this Christmas.'
Even to look upon the television, you will see advertisements for Christmas products.
It is undeniable that everywhere you look; you will be subject to marketing pressure encouraging you to buy, buy, and buy.
'Those headphones you have placed under the tree that cost 30 euro? they're good, but they're not up to the minimum price tag your kid wants of 200 euro, come to our shop, we have what you need.'
And it's not just you being exposed to this pressure and brainwashing, children are too, anything less than the best as they've seen on television and you may be the victim to a bad attitude or crying for the entire day, or even week.
The companies have a gun to your head, and there's little you can do about it.
Commercialization is the cause, but what is the effect?
The effect of those layers upon layers of advertisements has resulted in a time of year that was previously rather calm and civil but is now full of aggression and panic.
Every single parent this time of year seems to revert back to their natural and primal state.
For example, parents rush to the stores to get that one perfect present they've seen on the television for their child, the only problem? Everyone else has seen the same advertisement.
So what do you get when you have more customers than product all in one location? Screaming, shouting, and fighting. The adults, for a time, essentially become children.
Rather than parents teaching their children to appreciate what they have been given even if it is not what they wanted, some parents would rather act like wild animals, disrespecting one another and those poor souls unfortunate enough to work the holiday period, all for the perfect gift.
A recent survey conducted by members of Australia’s Shop Distributive Allied Union (SDA) this December 2017 found 85% of 6,000 fast food retail staff to be exposed to some form of abuse from disgruntled customers.
The organization has launched a campaign in order to counteract the issue. The 'No One Deserves a Serve' campaign calls on customers to simply be more civil towards staff this Christmas while shopping.
At the end of it, all come Christmas day, you either have an overly-happy family due to the gifts being exactly what the children wanted or a family that would appear to be broken down due to some serious family relationship issues. But of course, it simply comes down to the gifts.
The Christmas focus having shifted entirely from family to material gifts.
The Solution
Now that it has been established that the cause of the shopping chaos is because of the increased pressure by shops during the Christmas period, resulting in desperate and aggressive parents.
What is The Solution to the chaos?
The solution, in my opinion, is twofold.
Parents, remain civil, ignore the advertisements you see and do not go into a violent panic because of a gift.
Ensure Christmas is about family as it once was, rather than gifts.
However, if parents accomplish the above then perhaps Christmas may possibly be restored to its former self.
And perhaps then people may wander the streets, admiring the festive lights, and browse shops in peace without a hoard of aggressive and pressured shoppers causing trouble and ruining the atmosphere in trying to please their designer child.
