DEBATE: Has Christmas become too commercialised?

No. It has just evolved In 2013, a poll by the Pew Research Center found that Christmas is celebrated more than any other holiday in the US with 90 per cent of Americans celebrating Christmas, including 80 per cent non-Christians. According to Pew, a third of Americans actually see Christmas as more of a cultural holiday. Even 87 per cent atheists said they still celebrate Christmas. And America is not alone. There is something warm and cosy about Christmas. Whether you are religious or not, Christmas is that time of the year that simply spells out celebration with your loved ones and reflection on the year you have had. It has always been like that and it probably will remain the same for a long, long time. So when people say that Christmas has been commercialised, I wonder what they are going on about. What is different right now is the realisation that this is not 1990 but 2015, so people actually have more and better ways to advertise their products and services. I mean, what do you really expect? Christmas is such a big deal and to say that by advertising they are commercialising the holiday, you are deliberately ignoring the fact that these people are running businesses and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with seizing the opportunity and riding on the ‘Christmas mania’ to increase sales. Businesses were advertising all year long and sales were there, the difference during the Christmas holiday, is that almost everyone is interested in stocking up. Some people are interested in buying gifts. Everyone seems to advertise what they sell and everyone else is interested in knowing what is on offer. So many people are on holiday and this is their opportunity to spend on their loved ones. Look around you in May, how many families can you see in a shopping mall? Where would they get the time? At least 80 per cent of all the parents are able to finally spend quality time with their children without the stress of work. This is the time and, luckily, for the business people, this is the time to cash in. Also, everyone seems to be busy these days. Television and the Internet keep you up to date on what is in, who is selling what, the price and for those who need gifts to be shipped in; commercials do come in handy about all that. People who misunderstand the whole essence of Christmas are the ones who complain that it has been commercialised. For those of you who buy gifts, if you do it as a responsibility instead of something pleasurable, you will curse all the way from your home to the shops. That said, it’s true that Christmas has changed over time, but to say that it’s too commercial is an exaggeration. nash.bishumba@gmail.com It’s just a commercial holiday, let’s keep it that way Let’s be honest, we all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket; actually, I tend to think that it’s run by some secret eastern syndicate, you know, the likes of Freemansons, Skull and Bones or The Knights Templar, because the spending and the reasons for spending are beyond this world. Forget the entire hullabaloo about Christmas being all about family and celebrating the birth of Christ. It’s just another time to spoil kids and have endless parties, especially with ‘summers’ who are back in town to show us how they “roll” back home.” Kids will most probably ask for new clothes and shoes, adults will be busy spicing up meals, making a zillion phone calls inviting visitors and buying drinks they can barely pronounce. Well, all this can be construed as preparing for a family gathering but how many people do invite their family members? Some people rarely see their relatives, let alone invite them for Christmas. What is supposed to be a religious period has become an occasion that is prepared three months in advance for someone whose birthday we are not even really sure of. While most people only go to church on Christmas and with less and less people believing in religion and some not believing in Christ at all, it shows us that society sees Christmas as a shopping holiday and society is only too happy to keep this momentum going. And for this reason, we end up with images of luxury sofas, big houses, nicely wrapped gifts shoved in our faces and expensive holidays. Basically, it’s the old age trick of the carrot enticing the donkey. Work hard, earn money and spend it all during the holiday season. These days, it is safe to say that even a country’s economy depends on Christmas sales and that numerous marketing strategies by boutiques, telecom companies and other top-of-the-range stores to sell their products threaten the holiday of yore. In fact, the true meaning of Christmas has descended to lower levels as a result of an intense marriage between Christmas excitement and reckless spending. Although people would like to spend more time with their families around Christmas, and celebrate it the old traditional way, it is quite difficult in an era where people work round the clock. Personally, I’ll be at work on Christmas. Reason? I have to earn a living and when I get off that day, it’ll be time to spend, spend and spend. So, the question is, is it commercialised or not? Your answer is as good as mine; whether we like it or not, the tables have turned, the rhythms are now more upbeat (contrary to good old Christmas carols) and the spending will be over the top. As people will be nursing January blues, butchers, bar owners, hotels and restaurant proprietors and transportation companies will be smiling all the way to the bank. It’s the law of supply at work here. Happy Holidays! dean.karemera@newtimes.co.rw

Lifestyle

DEBATE: Has Christmas become too commercialised?