Even the Grinch realized that Christmas wasn't about consumerism. It's not about all the fancy things you can buy and how much you can spend. Yet it seems the amount of money spent just keeps climbing. I remember reading an article which stated that over 500 billion dollars was spent shopping for Christmas presents in December in the USA. It also said 60% of Americans incurred credit card debt and 78% of people wished the holiday wasn't so materialistic.
If were all so uncomfortable with making all of these purchases and going into debt over them well we watch our neighbours in need struggle for things like fresh water why do we keep doing it?
Consumerism can be a devastating psychological addiction that saps our financial resources, well-being, and hope. In our attempt to fill a void that stems from a generally hopeless life, consumerism is a way for many to seek temporary fulfillment and joy. It is what experts like to call extrinsic motivation and it reaches its peak during Christmas season.
by Andrian Iliopoulos
I agree with Andrian 100% it's disgusting what consumerism does to us all. I really think we need to step away from the excessive shopping and get back to the family, friends, meals and just spend quality time together. That's what I think Christmas is about.
”In the end, money isn’t what we’re after . . . is it? What we’re really after are the feelings, the emotions, we think money can create: that feeling of empowerment, of freedom, of security, of helping those we love and those in need, of having a choice, and of feeling alive.”
By Tony Robbin
I wish you wonderful holidays and hope that you all can enjoy time with you loved ones.
Christmas is about love and repentance
Agreed! The big businesses have taken over and have been doing it for a long time! Enjoy your Christmas!! :)
It is very easy to fall into this trap. There are so many things surrounding us that try to get you to buy into the consumerism. It's important to remember that the most important things in life are free. Friends, family, loved ones, being surrounded by those people is all that matters. Especially this time of year.
Yes Indeed ;) Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy (Almost) New Year!
You're so right! Friends, family and loved ones are all that ever matter. It's this time of year that we need to take the time to emphasize on that and not on the purchasing of materialistic items
This is quite similar to what I was saying in my most recent post. Also, our obsessive focus on holidays is kind of an escape from the drudgery of every day life, rather than looking for a way to change things, we wait for holidays because we know those days will be "special" burn the increase in consumerism during these holidays may suggest that we don't find them special enough to justify such a crappy day to day.
Yes Indeed ;) Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy (Almost) New Year!
Yes like the scapegoat for exestential depression. We need to make some serious changes in society. This is why I love this platform, blockchain and crypto's. Perhaps we are slowly changing the world
It's not perhaps, we are definitely having an impact, but I hope we can have a more focused impact. Looking forward to 2018!
Me too! I think a lot of good stuff is coming in 2018
I can't stand Christmas and all the commercials and how the stores put out all the Christmas stuff in October
Agreed! To many advertisements, to much buy, buy, buy!
Indeed! And the stressed put on family members to pick the "right" gift in my eyes is disgusting. When did we devolve to the point where Christmas was about this? I hope everyone is able to get with their loved ones and look back on how long you've been able to cherish each other, and for new friends, what great things you'll be able to do next!
Your comment brought memories of ridiculous movies or commercials where children freak out because their $500 present wasn't the $700 present then the parents feel so bad and rush all around to get them the right thing. Enjoy your time with family, friends and loved ones is all we need to be doing
Thank you for the reminder! Money can't fill the void in our heart, which can only be filled with love, joy, and peace. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
You are so wise @cheneats Money will never fill the void. Love, peace and happiness sure will you're right. Merry Christmas!!! :)
Thank you! I am learning from you!!
I completely agree with you....more time for our family and friends, more time for the time together and less for shopping!Happy Holidays!!🎄🎅😘
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Merry Christmas Brother!
Thank you dude! Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!
Thank you Brother
Merry Christmas Bro :) bring health happiness
I am follow
Merry Christmas to you as well.
A wonderful post and I could not agree more. We as a nation and society have lost sight of what this season means. Billions are spent on an event that should be about peace, love, family, friends and yes it is after all a religious event in the first place. A small gift is one of wondorous love. It is not about more and bigger gifts and hours spent in the shopping mall. While all this takes place millions are hungry, lonely and sick. More people are starving in this world then ever before. Let us all think about world peace. I too love this platform and can not help thinking that 2018 will be a most wonderful year.
I agree let's use 2018 and crypto's to better the world.
agreed.. see my wallet...woohoo, however I am thinking of a small way to pay it forward with my Steemit earnings.
You're amazing :) Also no trees fell on your house :)
whew....good to know and thanks for looking
No problem at all. Did you see the picture of the cottage on your road?
Yes. We saw it and I thought it looks awfully familiar. Now I know which one it was. WoW.
Have a Merry Christmas with your family! Christmas is a bout family and sharing time together. Not about the gifts or other commercial trappings.
Yes you're so right! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
merry christmas @hendrix22
Merry Christmas!
You need to send this message to the NFL because if I see that stupid Raiders fan at the Chiefs family dinner one more time, I'm going to throw my TV out the window.
I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and I'm looking forward to more of your posts and contests in the new year.
Hahahahh Well I suggest not turning your TV on today to watch any football because you're going to see that stupid ass commercial 100 times lol.
Merry Christmas to you and your family as well Chops :)
Great post, totally agree. It has no sense to give so much importance to the gifts, but when people is buying me stuff i don't want to be an ass and not give something back. It's a fucking trap
Oh I hear you lol!! What are you supposed to do sit there and refuse the gifts or accept the gifts and not give gifts lol. The trap is unavoidable for now. We need to think of something to do about this
Merry Christmas Bro :)
Merry Christmas dude!
Very wise words. Sorry, not everyone understands this. I will share these articles with my followers. Perhaps, thanks to the article, this truth will be understood by someone else. Merry Christmas! Good luck to you and good.
Merry Christmas Cranium! We all just need to keep doing what we do and more people will realize what's actually important in life. We can change the world!
Totally agree! Merry Christmas :-)
Merry Christmas! I hope you and your family have wonderful holidays
Its sad we live in a world with so much disparity between those who have and those who don't. Funny how crypto always gets related but hopefully we can tighten the gap and not see so much disparity in the future.
I hope so too! I think we can close the gap which is one reason why I made this post. Spreading awareness always helps a little bit. :) Merry Christmas buddy!
Absolutely man, you as well! Hope Canada's treating you well this time of year was -20 in alberta this morning! Cant say I miss that but do miss a white christmas! Merry Christmas man enjoy it!
-20 gross I don't miss that one bit. I lived in Edmonton for 10 years even Halloween was fucking snowsuits. :(
haha funny you say that I still have some pictures from when I was younger and just looked like a fat ass GOKU with my snowsuit under my outfit.
Hahahahh yep lol. So brutal
Merry Christmas to you as well buddy!
These words struck a chord. We are comfortable buying and buying, why not use the money instead to help those in need after all, Christmas is about showing love to one another. Thanks for sharing
I agree 100% let's use some money on those that need. I don't mean need presents I mean those that need real things.
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Merry Christmas!
All store roll up their Xmas sales bonus and we rush towards it forgetting what Xmas is all about. It is about love, acceptance, sharing and repentance. Nice one @hendrix22
Yes Christmas has nothing to do with shopping or what's on sale they just push it more and more every year.