DURING THE PAST WEEK, we’ve been bombarded with news stories and advertising campaigns aimed at Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, all with the underlying theme of spending.
Honestly, I am tired of the greedy, materialistic consumerism that grips us during the pre-holiday season.
Are we so materialistic that we have to skip or cut out early on family gatherings, fight each other in the aisles and buy items simply because they are on sale?
I get nostalgic for those days when we weren’t quite so materialistically-inclined.
But, if I’m honest, I can look back and see that even during the 1960s, when I was growing up, we, too, focused on the gift aspect of Christmas more than we should have.
Remember “the Christmas catalog?”
I could not wait for the mailman (not carrier) to drop off the J.C. Penney Christmas catalog in our mailbox at the end of our southwestern Minnesota farm driveway.
My siblings and I fought over who got to look at the Christmas catalog first. By the time all six of us had thumbed through the wish book numerous times, the pages were worn and creased. We drew up Christmas lists from the catalog, wishing for the doll or the Army tank or the spotted Twister mat featured in the photos.
Rarely did we get any of those requested items; our parents simply did not have the money. Even though we certainly dreamed and wished and dreamed and wished some more, we were content with whatever gifts we received.
Today, however, I think many parents feel obligated to give their kids whatever they ask for. I don’t agree with that line of thinking. Kids need to learn and understand that they cannot have everything they want when they want it.
But first, we as adults need to curb our own greedy consumerism and our desire to have everything we want when we want it.
WHAT’S YOUR OPINION on consumerism this time of year, or in general? Let me hear your thoughts.
© Copyright 2011 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Well you know my opinion and i loved reading yours.. we certainly agree! c
Yes, we do.
About 26 years ago we received Christmas catalogs from Sears and Penney’s. After dinner on Thanksgiving the catalogs were set out, and the kids with paper and pencils started their wish lists. It was easy shopping for me, our kids had one article of clothing, one toy and one educational.
Doesn’t work that way now with grkids, but since I’m not “in charge” I have given up shopping for all of the nonsense the kids want now, they all get a $50.00 Bond that is to be put away for college.
I do love the magic of CHRISTmas and celebrate from late December to Epiphany on January 6. Our tree finally was taken down January 5.
The $50 bonds are a great idea. If the kids don’t appreciate it now, they will when they’re older. My oldest daughter recently found some savings bonds given to her as an infant. Now as a 26-year-old she’s delighted to have that bonus money.