As December flies in, the excitement for big-name holidays grows throughout the town. It’s finally everyone’s favorite time of the year. The time when inflatable snowmen dance in the dark and overpriced lights sparkle during sunset. The time when department stores extend their holiday hours to lure those on gift hunts, and the time when gym membership sales skyrocket. The sweet smells of coffee and cinnamon linger in bakeries while gingerbread houses are held high on supermarket shelves. Unfortunately, decorations and aromas are not the only thing that shine during this month, quite literally. Ironically enough, the holiday season also calls for heightened senses of cynicism. Whether it’s due to superficiality or utmost devotion to the holiday spirit, I highly doubt the excess amount of frivolous activity is due to jolly St. Nick. Call me what you please, but I think capitalism is to blame. Yes. Capitalism has single-handedly driven us away from the true, selfless, spirit.
Maybe it’s the endless ‘blowout sales’ and the pushing and shoving at the nearest outlet mall. Or the highly anticipated gift unwrapping during winter break. Regardless, it seems everyone and their mother is always at the mall, or trying to find parking. More people are ‘wrapped up’ in the holiday hustle and bustle and seem to forget the season of giving.
Think about it: when is the last time you sat down and actually listened to a Christmas playlist? Chances are, it was fairly recently. Most of those chances, however, would be incorrect. Faintly humming to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas’ while looking for presents in Bloomingdale’s does not count.
Americans seem so intent on gifting — or regifting — that we forget the little things. Holidays are supposed to reflect our happiness and appreciation for those ‘little things.’ Instead, they signal our material-obsessed brains that it’s go time.
To me at least, the holidays mean much more than just doorbusters at Neiman Marcus. They remind me of years of my family decorating our Christmas tree right after our fourth serving of pumpkin pie, setting up lights on our front lawn, and dancing to Sam Smith’s holiday album while making hot chocolate. It’s the time when friends host ugly-sweater parties and Target Christmas socks are a staple fashion statement.
Now, I understand not everyone is obsessed with the perfect Pinterest board Christmas. There are more important things to do and talk about than planning Secret Santa, but the holidays can serve as a great getaway from the disturbing realities the rest of the year brings. While that is painstakingly true, I think it’s time we get our head out of our shopping bags and smell the somewhat nauseating aroma of peppermint Yankee Candles.
Capitalism, which preaches private enterprise and self-preservation, is not only the center of our economic practices, but also the center of our cold, egocentric hearts. Unfortunately, this pushes us towards isolationism and away from the collective spirit of giving during the Holidays.
It seems that no one knows that Aleppo is controlled by rebels who torture civilians and threaten the safety of innocent residents. But of course, everyone is so enthralled in the scandalous sales of upscale department stores that no one pays attention to what happens on the other side of the world. The least we can do as narcissistic Americans is to enjoy Christmas movie marathons and binge-eat candy canes without a care in the world, right?
