Christmas: Has it become too commercialised?

[-:Undertaker:-]

Christmas: Has it become too commercialised?


http://www.coca-cola.co.uk/content/en_GB/img/about-us/AM_706x264_Christmas_trucks.jpg

Every Christmas this debate arises, and why not again this year? Each year at almost every Christmas, the commercialisation of the festive season appears to deepen every year - with earlier opening times and later closing times for shops, the appearance of Christmas goods in the shops earlier and earlier every year and seemingly every item having a Christmas theme on it's packaging.

But does this ruin Christmas or enhance it? You could argue that in a broadly free market economy this behaviour can only be expected by retailers and that having all the Christmas themed adverts, goods in stores and so on merely makes Christmas more magical - especially for younger children.

So what do you think? Is Christmas becoming too commercialised or is that just a modern day part of the festive season that does no harm?


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The debate is open to you.

[AgnesIO]

To be honest, I don't think Christmas has been "non-commercial" for many years. I simply think we have become more aware of it as we have grown older, and also the new technological advancements in advertising and obviously the internet. Shops have always been trying to make it as commercialised as possible.

I guess it has become far more commercialised now, we are more in to material goods than ever - which is inevitably going to make any events that involve receiving goods more commercialised. I think it is sad to see shops stocking Christmas items in August (or even earlier!) - but I pity the people who buy the items more than the shops who are making vast profits out of it.

Personally, I do wish Christmas was more about being together - but as a kid I won't pretend I thought in this way; mainly because the main thing that is always talked about at home, at school, at parties is "what do you want for Christmas", rather than "what are you looking forward to doing at Christmas" (where I hope the answer will stop being "GETTING PRESENTS".

[Reality]

I think Christmas has become to commercialized!
The leading months to Christmas are becoming more and more over exaggerated, shops are putting up decorations in early November the adverts come on in mod November.

However I think that as you get older you start to lose the spirit of it all, like Halloween my younger brother asked me to carve a pumpkin with him I said no and only because I said I'm too old to do that now it's fun when you're young!

I don't mind buying presents but, you do lose the spirit as it's being more commercial .

[Calum0812]

I think a ban should be put on Christmas adverts before December. I saw one in October and it is just a bit stupid. I went to Liverpool today and it's great to feel the festive atmosphere with everyone having some Christmas lights and stuff but when the Coca Cola bus came I just thought it was a bit of a joke that so many people would go to see a bus. A bus. Too commercialised? Yes.

[Daltron]

Mid October I was walking through my local Westfield shopping centre at night to the gym and noticed people putting Christmas decorations up. The next night they were all up and on. This is before Halloween had even taken place. I feel like it's just something a lot of business' are cashing in on as a promotional tool and why not?

We live in a very westernised world where materialism trumps any form of idealism as years progress and I think Christmas has become over commercialised, however I don't think this is a bad thing. If materialism and commercialism brings people together then I don't see the harm!

[AgnesIO]

I think Christmas has become to commercialized!
The leading months to Christmas are becoming more and more over exaggerated, shops are putting up decorations in early November the adverts come on in mod November.

However I think that as you get older you start to lose the spirit of it all, like Halloween my younger brother asked me to carve a pumpkin with him I said no and only because I said I'm too old to do that now it's fun when you're young!

I don't mind buying presents but, you do lose the spirit as it's being more commercial .

Not relating to the thread; if you are British (your location says England), it is commercialised, not commercialized :L Anyway, back to the actual debate aha

Personally, I love buying presents for my close family and friends - not because of the commercial thing, just I enjoy giving to others. On the other hand, I wish I could be more spontaneous - to me, the fact it is Christmas shouldn't matter all that much. I am unsure whether the companies are to blame for making the adverts early, or the consumers for buying things earlier and earlier.


I think a ban should be put on Christmas adverts before December. I saw one in October and it is just a bit stupid. I went to Liverpool today and it's great to feel the festive atmosphere with everyone having some Christmas lights and stuff but when the Coca Cola bus came I just thought it was a bit of a joke that so many people would go to see a bus. A bus. Too commercialised? Yes.

Definitely disagree with a ban - businesses shouldn't face more red tape; if they wish to advertise a Christmas in January, they should definitely be allowed. However, I would think whoever thought this was a good idea is a bit of a fool. The Coca Cola bus is an interesting topic, though. People love to see the Coca Cola advert, it is almost a tradition - I don't think people really care that it is Coke (I am personally no closer to buying cola, than I am before I see the lorry!) The trucks were first released in 1995, so definitely not a new phenomenon.


Mid October I was walking through my local Westfield shopping centre at night to the gym and noticed people putting Christmas decorations up. The next night they were all up and on. This is before Halloween had even taken place. I feel like it's just something a lot of business' are cashing in on as a promotional tool and why not?

We live in a very westernised world where materialism trumps any form of idealism as years progress and I think Christmas has become over commercialised, however I don't think this is a bad thing. If materialism and commercialism brings people together then I don't see the harm!

Admittedly, Halloween is a perfectly "missable" event :L Totally agree with you about the materialism bit though. My only question would be whether materialism is bringing people together, or just creating greed (image of chubby little spoilt kid flying into my head right now.. "I WANTED FOUR NEW GAMES. YOU ONLY GOT ME THREE". I know this clip is for a birthday, but this is what I am imagining:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgjdsy1MpR0

[Calum0812]

Definitely disagree with a ban
I was exaggerating with the ban ;)

[despect]

I've always wondered why exactly shops put out Christmas products so early. I think the shops basically put out their Christmas products to build up unnecessary hype way too early. I think that's probably why people get tired of Christmas when it actually hits Christmas day haha. (Could just be me being a kill joy of Christmas) lmaoo.

[Catchy]

I think Christmas has become to commercialized!
The leading months to Christmas are becoming more and more over exaggerated, shops are putting up decorations in early November the adverts come on in mod November.

However I think that as you get older you start to lose the spirit of it all, like Halloween my younger brother asked me to carve a pumpkin with him I said no and only because I said I'm too old to do that now it's fun when you're young!

I don't mind buying presents but, you do lose the spirit as it's being more commercial .


whatttttttttt I'm nearly 21 and I did pumpkin carving in october with my flatmates, we had a blast!