More People being turned off Christmas?

JupiterKid

I like Christmas but loathe the disgusting commercialism and forced cheeriness spewed forth by the media and advertsing. Add social media into the mix like FB and it can get too much for some.

The way it gets relentlessly earlier each year, the pressure to outdo others in buying lavish and often unaffordable gifts, putting up decorations and the tree in November (WTF?.)

I have a feeling that the over-commercialisation of Christmas in the West could eventually backfire on advertisers and businesses seeking to bleed people dry as more and more people just eschew the false Christmas over-consumption over the coming 20 years. In fact, I can see see this trend already starting.

Anyone else see this happening?

P_1

It has already started alright. When you have the media almost chiding people for not spending more you know a significant amount of people have already started doing so

This cheeriness was forced down one's throat listening to RTE Radio 1. One particular cringeworthy moment was on Christmas Eve, when the radio announcer said that he would repeat christmas greetings to these particular sprogs, well, because they were'nt listening to the radio the first time their names were announced. ugh.

silverharp

i cut my tv cable a couple of years back, its a very good antidote to all the fake news about what you ought to be doing or worried about at xmas. christmas is brilliant.

whisky_galore

The shops have got a lot to answer for, putting up xmas displays around Halloween is just barefaced attention grabbing for all the wrong reasons. It's not "cheery" or in the spirit of Xmas it's just a money grab. That and putting on Xmas lights in mid Nov because the local chamber of commerce says so.

bladespin

JupiterKid wrote:

putting up decorations and the tree in November (WTF?. )

This is not new or recent, lots start the second halloween's over (and then complain about being fed up with them december 26th).

Yes, it's commercial, though I think this has fallen off a lot in recent years; more ane more are leaning toward the more trad gifts and experiences.

looksee

On the one hand you have complaints about the 'nanny state' and on the other complaints about 'them' not taking over people's lives and preventing them from going too far.

No-one is being forced to spend more, 'more' depends on what you have to start with. I looked at a few of the pics on the Santa thread and thought that some silly money had been spent in some households, but I have no doubt that the people concerned would defend their right to spend their own money how they choose - other people might need to cut back but not me!

I did not think this year particularly that Christmas started significantly early - there was one year a while back when there were so many protests about christmas starting before Halloween that most places have calmed down and waited at least until November. Social media is like everything else, some people will use it to an extent that is ridiculous, others of us can be on fb but not find it necessary to engage with all the 'what I had for breakfast' nonsense.

tl:dr if Christmas is bugging you, back off and ignore it.

maccored

its called getting older, is it not? christmas has been commercial since coca cola invented the modern day santa in the 30s

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

If people are being dragged in to all the hype then they need to step away from the hype and do their own thing for Christmas. It's easy enough to avoid it and prepare for, and enjoy, your traditional Christmas if you want to.

BilboBagOfCans

Agreed that you can avoid it, it's not hard to change radio stations etc, I don't personally see much one-upmanship around Christmas but I do not follow those who push this crap so it's easy to avoid if you wish

andekwarhola

Uriah Drab Rope wrote: »

If people are being dragged in to all the hype then they need to step away from the hype and do their own thing for Christmas. It's easy enough to avoid it and prepare for, and enjoy, your traditional Christmas if you want to.

People actually want to moan about it as they presumably think it gives them a patina of intelligence or individuality.

Like endless tedious bulletins on how they don't do Facebook.

Do Christmas or don't do Christmas. Nobody gives a fcuk.

goat2

I love having home decorated, meeting family, and having a traditional Christmas Day,
The only thing I don't like is, all this commercialism that goes with it, if you want to go shopping, car parks are full, queues in shops, and having to buy presents for people, when people have ample and can buy their own, I don't like it when I have to smile and say thank you for something I did not need or want, I drop hints, a diesel voucher or a pay as you go for my phone, and still I don't get any of these, just tat

OldMrBrennan83

Turn it all off and enjoy it your own way with the people you want. Nobody is forcing anything on you.

looksee

goat2 wrote: »

I love having home decorated, meeting family, and having a traditional Christmas Day,
The only thing I don't like is, all this commercialism that goes with it, if you want to go shopping, car parks are full, queues in shops, and having to buy presents for people, when people have ample and can buy their own, I don't like it when I have to smile and say thank you for something I did not need or want, I drop hints, a diesel voucher or a pay as you go for my phone, and still I don't get any of these, just tat

So what you are saying is you want to be part of the commercialism, want to go shopping for the decorations and 'tradition', but want everyone else to not do it so you can do it in comfort?

Mr. teddywinkles

January sales after Christmas is what annoys me. Spend a ****load at Christmas and still expect people to spend more after when your broke.

Mrsmum

I suppose the other side of commercialism though is that that's how a lot of people earn their living. From what I've heard, Christmas is when shops, hotels etc do about 30% of their yearly trade enabling them to survive sometimes. Take that away from them and lots more unemployed, No? However, having said that though, all the needless tat bought is shocking.

Dirtdrifter

JupiterKid wrote: »

I have a feeling that the over-commercialisation of Christmas in the West could eventually backfire on advertisers and businesses seeking to bleed people dry as more and more people just eschew the false Christmas over-consumption over the coming 20 years. In fact, I can see see this trend already starting.

Anyone else see this happening?

No signs of this happening here in mayo anyway

goat2

looksee wrote: »

So what you are saying is you want to be part of the commercialism, want to go shopping for the decorations and 'tradition', but want everyone else to not do it so you can do it in comfort?

No, I use the same tree with past 20 yrs, Might add new decoration now and then, and did go led for the bulbs and lights, that is it
Ant every person is entitled to do as they please,
But I do shop local, and keep it local, small town, need the money to go round.

igCorcaigh

No tree or decorations this year, just candles.
I love candles.

jmayo

I believe we are definitely becoming more Americanised and that equals consumption and commercialisation to the nth degree.

We recently adopted the Black Friday sales.
We even have some now calling it the holidays.

Then add in the feckers that think they should create something resembling the Las Vegas strip.
And no I am not anti lights, a tree and decorations, it's the ones with the flashing santas, the reindeers and snowmen all over the garden, the strip lights on the gates, the lights on the chimneys, etc, etc.

igCorcaigh

jmayo wrote: »

I believe we are definitely becoming more Americanised and that equals consumption and commercialisation to the nth degree.

We recently adopted the Black Friday sales.
We even have some now calling it the holidays.

Then add in the feckers that think they should create something resembling the Las Vegas strip.
And no I am not anti lights, a tree and decorations, it's the ones with the flashing santas, the reindeers and snowmen all over the garden, the strip lights on the gates, the lights on the chimneys, etc, etc.

Vulgar stuff it is, some people have no taste.
A wreath on the door is lovely though.

OldMrBrennan83

igCorcaigh wrote: »

Vulgar stuff it is, some people have no taste.
A wreath on the door is lovely though.

Same. We do up the living room because the Mrs likes it and put a wreath on the door. I can understand the outside stuff if you've kids though.

igCorcaigh

Patww79 wrote: »

Same. We do up the living room because the Mrs likes it and put a wreath on the door. I can understand the outside stuff if you've kids though.

Oh for sure. Christmas is all about the kids. As it should be.

beauf

I'm getting tired of it all.

This year we greatly reduced the decorations. Just tired off the clutter it creates. No longer have the patience and time to waste on it.

Also tired of the cost. Only for one of the kids is Xmas mad I would have gone very minimalist.

Dakota Dan

Uriah Drab Rope wrote: »

If people are being dragged in to all the hype then they need to step away from the hype and do their own thing for Christmas. It's easy enough to avoid it and prepare for, and enjoy, your traditional Christmas if you want to.

Exactly, nobody forces anybody to spend for Christmas and the only reason the shops keep advertising is because people keep shopping. They spend a month before Christmas shopping and then off shopping again on Stephens day.

Dakota Dan

jmayo wrote: »

I believe we are definitely becoming more Americanised and that equals consumption and commercialisation to the nth degree.

We recently adopted the Black Friday sales.
We even have some now calling it the holidays.

Then add in the feckers that think they should create something resembling the Las Vegas strip.
And no I am not anti lights, a tree and decorations, it's the ones with the flashing santas, the reindeers and snowmen all over the garden, the strip lights on the gates, the lights on the chimneys, etc, etc.

You don’t need Christmas for this nonsense though, what about the yummy mummies wanting the latestv SUV in January to drive little Lorcan a mile to school and to outdo Jane next door.

igCorcaigh

You wouldn't even know we're just decades away from a serious global catastrophe.

People would need to wake up a bit.

Advertising works I guess, I haven't watched TV or listened to radio in years. Get the radio on podcast with no ads. Keep things simple.

RobbingBandit

Easter next after this weekend eggs everywhere in shops

jmayo

igCorcaigh wrote: »

You wouldn't even know we're just decades away from a serious global catastrophe.

People would need to wake up a bit.

Advertising works I guess, I haven't watched TV or listened to radio in years. Get the radio on podcast with no ads. Keep things simple.

Actually you might then have not noticed the incessant ads now on RTE radio at the moment asking if you like watching dramas and thrillers, streaming on your laptop.

Because you know what, you watching that drama through the internet, most likely hosted and provided by a non Irish private entity, produced and funded by a non Irish entity, probably over a broadband link that you pay a private company for, means that you should pay a TV license towards RTE. :rolleyes:

Yep RTE that has sweet FA to do with providing you with the show you are watching. :mad:

Maybe this belongs in a thread of it's own, but it is something that I only really noticed over the christmas period.

Badly Drunk Boy

RobbingBandit wrote: »

Easter next after this weekend eggs everywhere in shops

Ah, you forgot about Valentine's Day.

igCorcaigh

No J, I did not see or hear about those ads.
Is that plan still going ahead?
Pure Mafia shoite isn't it.

aaronjumper

looksee wrote: »

tl:dr if Christmas is bugging you, back off and ignore it.

Hard to do when people on the street, online, the radio are talking about it.

Five days before Halloween was when most of the stuff went up down here.
Lights, music, ads. 'Ah shure just ignore it, it's only everywhere'

The ridiculous build up is deffo why I've become a lot less fond of it over the years.

AndrewJRenko

jmayo wrote: »

Actually you might then have not noticed the incessant ads now on RTE radio at the moment asking if you like watching dramas and thrillers, streaming on your laptop.

Because you know what, you watching that drama through the internet, most likely hosted and provided by a non Irish private entity, produced and funded by a non Irish entity, probably over a broadband link that you pay a private company for, means that you should pay a TV license towards RTE. :rolleyes:

Yep RTE that has sweet FA to do with providing you with the show you are watching. :mad:

You forgot to mention the bit about RTE paying for the show, either by commissioning it or by buying it in from abroad.

igCorcaigh

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

You forgot to mention the bit about RTE paying for the show, either by commissioning it or by buying it in from abroad.

What?! No.

DS86DS

Christmas is supposed to be a festive time of plenty and magic. I love all the lights of Christmas.

I fear that we may be going back to Cromwell and his Puritan killjoys banning Christmas the way things are going.

jmayo

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

You forgot to mention the bit about RTE paying for the show, either by commissioning it or by buying it in from abroad.

What ???

They never say in the Ad that they commissioned the shows or that they bought them.
They actually don't say that you are streaming from them.

The inference is that you are streaming any show from anywhere, then you must have a TV license which is basically money for RTE.

AndrewJRenko

jmayo wrote: »

What ???

They never say in the Ad that they commissioned the shows or that they bought them.
They actually don't say that you are streaming from them.

The inference is that you are streaming any show from anywhere, then you must have a TV license which is basically money for RTE.

Oh, you're talking for the ads for the licence. I thought you were talking about ads for the RTE Player.


Yeah, the ads for the licence apply to watching anything on TV. That's the law. It's not an RTE decision. It's the law. If you don't like it, you who to talk to.

wakka12

Yeh.There is a lot of pressure for it to be an amazing day but it feels like a bit of an anticlimax because of the insane month long build up .Like dont get me wrong its really lovely, all the family, nice food, presents, but thats jsut what it is a lovely day but I cant help but feel a tinge of disappointment that it wasnt the most memorable amazing day of my life because of how hyped up it is

DEFTLEFTHAND

Stephens night was horrendous in my town last night. So many drunk assholes around.

The first scene we witnessed when we walked in the door was of a man being beaten. About half an hour later another man began doing 'the worm' dance move on the floor. He knocked over a table of drinks and had the sh1te beatn out of him, ambulance called and everything.




So much agression around last night.

OldMrBrennan83

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Stephens night was horrendous in my town last night. So many drunk assholes around.

The first scene we witnessed when we walked in the door was of a man being beaten. About half an hour later another man began doing 'the worm' dance move on the floor. He knocked over a table of drinks and had the sh1te beatn out of him, ambulance called and everything.




So much agression around last night.

That's standard for decades.

zapitastas

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Stephens night was horrendous in my town last night. So many drunk assholes around.

The first scene we witnessed when we walked in the door was of a man being beaten. About half an hour later another man began doing 'the worm' dance move on the floor. He knocked over a table of drinks and had the sh1te beatn out of him, ambulance called and everything.




So much agression around last night.

I thought a lot if violence had been routed out due to danger of litigation now. Obviously some people still throwing caution to the wind

meeeeh

I love Christmas because we close for two weeks and so do most of our customers. It's relaxing. Kids get their presents, we have dinner with OH's parents and go to see panto on 26th. That's it, there is a tree, there are no visits to mind numbingly stupid Santa's Grotto and no crazy outside decorations. Somehow kids really enjoy themselves despite not seeing pretend Santa (they described him like that, apparently those in the shopping centres are nothing like real deal) and despite us not going mental with plastic tat or lights. Outside decorations are not for kids, they are there to compete with the neighbours.

I heard very few Christmas songs, did all the shopping online, I'm still the same weight as I was before holidays, no one was completely plastered and I'm quite happy with the holiday we have. You don't need excess for perfect holiday and it's fairly easy to ignore it.

DEFTLEFTHAND

zapitastas wrote: »

I thought a lot if violence had been routed out due to danger of litigation now. Obviously some people still throwing caution to the wind

By the time guards had arrived the boys who carried it out had long gone.

They'll never face any consequences either as not one person in the bar had the balls to name them, myself included.


It's just so ugly to witness such behaviour. Not an ounce of class.

Joe prim

Badly Drunk Boy wrote: »

RobbingBandit wrote: »

Easter next after this weekend eggs everywhere in shops

Ah, you forgot about Valentine's Day.

Its Valentine's Month.

DEFTLEFTHAND

As it was happening I noticed a gold chain with a cross attached swinging out of one of the perpetrators.

So this guy is a Christian, the irony of it. I wonder did Jesus behave like that when he had a few jars in him.

whisky_galore

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

As it was happening I noticed a gold chain with a cross attached swinging out of one of the perpetrators.

So this guy is a Christian, the irony of it. I wonder did Jesus behave like that when he had a few jars in him.

He threw a few slaps in the Temple once.

freshpopcorn

I really like Christmas and I think about Christmas during most of the year.
Family/friends know me as the Christmas nut. I'd be the one called to decorate for people source decorations/presents/etc.
I do start buying bits and pieces that are on offer if I see them in the lead up to Christmas when I know they are the lowest there going to go.(Within reason)
I decorate the windows/outside of the house on the 8th of December and the rest during the next week or ten days. However everything is left up until the 6th of January. We've a Christmas candle that is light on the every night from Christmas Eve until the 6th of January.
I do notice some of the people who decorate in November/etc tend to take down there decorations early and they know very little about traditions(be there religious or local)of Christmas and Christmas decorations/etc are disposable and get thrown out at the end of the season.
Locally I've noticed a lot more people decorating the outside of there houses/etc compared to other years.
There's always being a commercialisation at Christmas even when I speak to people in there fifties about it.
Some people don't like Christmas tough. There are either to many decorations or not enough presents are to lavish or cheap. Same with everything and you can't keep them happy.

igCorcaigh

jmayo wrote: »

What ???

They never say in the Ad that they commissioned the shows or that they bought them.
They actually don't say that you are streaming from them.

The inference is that you are streaming any show from anywhere, then you must have a TV license which is basically money for RTE.

I wonder what the EU would think of that.

DEFTLEFTHAND

whisky_galore wrote: »

He threw a few slaps in the Temple once.

He let a few roars out of him. The traders disrespected his fathers house.

I don't think he pummeled a man on the floor with ringed fists.

Ipso

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

He let a few roars out of him. The traders disrespected his fathers house.

I don't think he pummeled a man on the floor with ringed fists.

You haven’t read the book of Danny Dyer?

BBFAN

This has been my first Christmas at home for 5 years and it's only made me remember why, Christmas Day is such a huge disappointment. Too many drunk dysfunctional people in the same place (of course that may only be my family).

I actually love Christmas Eve in Dublin City Centre, magical atmosphere.

I do feel terribly sorry for anyone who's lost someone in the run up to Christmas though, there is absolutely NO avoiding it.

No matter how much some people here can say just ignore it, it's on the radio, television, shops, streets, everywhere. It must be heartbreaking if you're grieving.

Also, people who say "cheer up it's Christmas" can go FCUK OFF. It's not compulsory to be happy.