Christmas and Consumerism

lufties

So, after watching (a bit of)the toy show on Friday, I wondered what is all the fuss about, yes its entertaining but jeez was it hyped up, and for what reason? So people will get spending of course. Is it an Irish thing to mental spending at Chrimbo. The last few years I've seen facebook friends post photos of their xmas morning, and I'm wondering if they took a loan out to pay for it all. The cynical side of me would say its a case of 'keeping up with the neighbours'.

Each to their own of course, but has anyone else noticed the mass media hysteria about spending at this time of year? Or perhaps I would do the same if I had a wife and kids;)

Bah Hamburg:D

Sulla Felix

It's not a new thing. Has been going on for decades but with social media it's a bit more in your face.

Me and my family have switched to Kris Kindle the last few years, everyone gets the one present.

It's pretty awesome, I usually have a couple hundred spare quid that I blow on books and stuff for myself instead.

wazky

You only noticed after watching the Toy Show on Friday?

Have you been in a coma for the past 50 years or so?

anncoates

Imagine that. People buying things that they want to buy with their money.

Good job it only happens at Christmas.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

When it's more about the pressies than it is about family and friends then we know we have slipped into the darkest...

...I actually couldn't give a flying **** once I have an excuse to drink for 5 days straight.

lufties

wazky wrote: »

You only noticed after watching the Toy Show on Friday?

Have you been in a coma for the past 50 years or so?

No, but I wondered if it was a thing particular to the Irish, it does seem to have gotten mental the past few years.

lufties

Sulla Felix wrote: »

It's not a new thing. Has been going on for decades but with social media it's a bit more in your face.

Me and my family have switched to Kris Kindle the last few years, everyone gets the one present.

It's pretty awesome, I usually have a couple hundred spare quid that I blow on books and stuff for myself instead.

Thats a good idea, otherwise if you have a big family it can be seriously costly, along with all the food, drink and what not.

Femme_Fatale

OTT spending at Christmas is in America, Britain, any western country really. If it's increased in Ireland it's due to the "boom" I guess (which is over I know, but money and borrowing didn't just evaporate).

I don't agree with going really really overboard on presents for children, but one occasion in the year for pushing the boat out a bit and spoiling ourselves somewhat seems fair enough to me. It's enjoyable.

RobertKK

Blame the three wise men who brought presents to Jesus, or St Nicholas who gave gifts to children at Christmas.

Even in A Christmas Carol, Scrooge ends up giving a gift to the Cratchit's...

lufties

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

OTT spending at Christmas is in America, Britain, any western country really. If it's increased in Ireland it's due to the "boom" I guess (which is over I know, but money and borrowing didn't just evaporate).

I don't agree with going really really overboard on presents for children, but one occasion in the year for pushing the boat out a bit and spoiling ourselves somewhat seems fair enough to me. It's enjoyable.

Fair enough, as a child my Chrimbos were never left wanting, and I always got what I asked santy for, but I'd imagine it stretched my parents.

It just seems nowadays, the true meaning of christmas is lost and all that matters is presents and 'stuff', a lot of which is probably tossed aside soon after.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

lufties wrote: »

It just seems nowadays, the true meaning of christmas is lost and all that matters is presents and 'stuff', a lot of which is probably tossed aside soon after.

because there's like 5 people left in the country who really actually believe that 'true meaning of christmas' bolloxology.

Killer Wench

It was a literal toy show? That is to say an actual tv show? I had friends write about the excitement of the toy show, but I imagined it was like a car show at a convention center or something.

lufties

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

because there's like 5 people left in the country who really actually believe that 'true meaning of christmas' bolloxology.

What a stupid comment, the true meaning is getting hammered 7 nights in a row:D.

Seriously though, putting worries aside(where possible), enjoying family time with good food and drink and a warm fire is what its about for me.

lufties

Killer Wench wrote: »

It was a literal toy show? That is to say an actual tv show? I had friends write about the excitement of the toy show, but I imagined it was like a car show at a convention center or something.

Throw some of the programme 'Glee' in with that and there ya go :rolleyes:

The One Who Knocks

I think we should have thanksgiving over here, ...a great holiday without all the consumerism.

anncoates

lufties wrote: »

joying family time with good food and drink and a warm fire is what its about for me.

. Does spending money on that also incur judgmental student wrath re: "consumerism"?

Femme_Fatale

Disappointed I didn't record the Toy Show actually - so many people say it was brilliant this year; even people you'd expect would have no interest in it!

Loved it so much as a kid - up until about the age of 26. :pac:
(Only kidding - not really ).

lufties wrote: »

It just seems nowadays, the true meaning of christmas is lost and all that matters is presents and 'stuff', a lot of which is probably tossed aside soon after.

What's the true meaning of Christmas though? When I was a child 20+ years ago, Christmas was about getting presents too. It's just that there's a lot more money in Ireland now. But there's still kindness, still charity drives, people still go to church and hold collections for the less fortunate, people still believe in christianity, still value using the time to spend with family and friends they haven't seen all year.

Killer Wench

lufties wrote: »

Throw some of the programme 'Glee' in with that and there ya go :rolleyes:

It's a singing toy show. Off to Google. I'm curious if it is a home shopping experience or something.

lufties

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Disappointed I didn't record the Toy Show actually - so many people say it was brilliant this year; even people you'd expect would have no interest in it!

Loved it so much as a kid - up until about the age of 26. :pac:
(Only kidding - not really ).

What's the true meaning of Christmas though? When I was a child 20+ years ago, Christmas was about getting presents too. It's just that there's a lot more money in Ireland now. But there's still kindness, still charity drives, people still go to church and hold collections for the less fortunate, people still believe in christianity, still value using the time to spend with family and friends they haven't seen all year.

Ok for example, it was not out of the ordinary to get second hand prezzies 20 years ago. Now that would not be heard of. people seem to spend for the sake of spending nowadays. As i mentioned earlier, it is a keeping up with the Jones' also because if john and mary next door are earning a low to moderate income and can afford to go overboard on their three kids, then most likely other families will feel the need to do the same.

I'm not complaining, as to see kids happy smiling at christmas is priceless. i just wondered if its all gone a bit mad Ted.

lufties

Killer Wench wrote: »

It's a singing toy show. Off to Google. I'm curious if it is a home shopping experience or something.

haha took me a while to cop on to that:pac:

Femme_Fatale

lufties wrote: »

Ok for example, it was not out of the ordinary to get second hand prezzies 20 years ago. Now that would not be heard of. people seem to spend for the sake of spending nowadays. As i mentioned earlier, it is a keeping up with the Jones' also because if john and mary next door are earning a low to moderate income and can afford to go overboard on their three kids, then most likely other families will feel the need to do the same.

I'm not complaining, as to see kids happy smiling at christmas is priceless. i just wondered if its all gone a bit mad Ted.

I think there are less second-hand presents now simply because people can afford to buy new ones, whereas back in the day they couldn't as much.

"Keeping up with the Jones" has always existed too. If some dopes want to do that, let them wallow away in their insecurity; not a whole lot one can do really, other than avoid them like the plague.

P_1

The One Who Knocks wrote: »

I think we should have thanksgiving over here, ...a great holiday without all the consumerism.

Fcuk no, imagine how bad the retail customers of Ireland would be at a black friday type sale

The One Who Knocks

P_1 wrote: »

Fcuk no, imagine how bad the retail customers of Ireland would be at a black friday type sale

We don't necessarily have to have black friday after it. I'm on about the actual thanksgiving holiday....Besides, irish retailers are already starting to have black friday sales online.