Over-commercialization strikes holidays again

It’s the middle of October, and it’s time for some Halloween shopping. But as you walk through the doors of Macy’s, you see red and gold tinsel hanging on the walls. Seven-foot trees stand near each doorway with round glass ornaments hanging on each branch. Is it really Christmas already?

Over the years, the stores seem to be bringing in their holiday inventory earlier and earlier in an effort to drum up more business in what is almost always their most profitable time of the year.

Junior Ashley Joshi thinks that stores are starting to over commercialize the holidays, particularly Christmas.

“The day after Halloween, all the stores put out their Christmas displays and start the sales,” Joshi said. “Costco even had its displays out before Halloween.”

Joshi also thinks that retailers go “a little overboard with decorations.”

Freshman Abby Foss says that when stores start the Christmas season too early, it detracts from the celebrations of earlier holidays, such as Thanksgiving.

“Stores should know that Christmas does not start in November, but in December. So while everyone is scrambling to find Thanksgiving stuff, many stores have already set up for Christmas,” Foss said.

Sophomore Drew Bryan says the excessive commercialization of the holidays actually takes away from their meaning.

“The only thing I don’t like [about the holidays] is all the advertising that is taken advantage of because of the holidays,” Bryan said. “They’re always advertising so people will buy presents for their kids or friends or relatives, just so they can make money. They don’t see the true meaning of Christmas.”

Sophomore Maya Srinivasan says over commercialization “completely undermines the true meaning of the holidays, which is to spend time with family and friends, not to benefit businesses.”

Srinivasan also finds the early advertising of stores to be irritating.

“The early ads are annoying because people don’t really get into the mood of the holidays until closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Srinivasan said. “When I see a [store’s holiday advertisement] too early, I feel like they are being overly eager to sell their holiday merchandise.”

Junior Sanjna Verma disagrees, however, saying that the all the commercialization actually makes the holidays more enjoyable for her.

“I like it, personally, when it’s commercialized,” Verma said. “The holidays are always my favorite time of year because everyone is so happy! Even if the media has over-commercialized [the holidays], I honestly don’t mind.”

Verma thinks that the holidays remind everyone to take time to relax and enjoy themselves.
“Everyone forgets to take a little bit of time for themselves when they get older, so … the holidays … [are] a good reminder to have fun sometimes,” Verma said.