An American Humbug
By Humbug
It seems that the American Christmas has become a more secular than religious observation. Mention "Christmas" and the topics turn immediately to shopping, malls, lights, gifts, wrapping, Santa Claus, parties, and food. Holiday commercials on television begin in the middle of October before the Halloween holiday. Singing Santas and elves tout the virtues of various products even before the pumpkins have been carved into jack-o-lanterns. Everyone jumps on the Christmas gift bandwagon, even urging homeowners to buy the house a new roof or windows just in time for the holidays. Traditional holiday carols are twisted into sales jingles, urging everyone to buy, buy, buy!
The American Santa Claus is a far cry from the tradition of Saint Nicholas, or even the Santa from the poem, "The Night Before Christmas". The American Santa has come to represent the "getting" aspects of Christmas rather than the "giving". He has become a conduit of wishes from the mouths of children to the purse strings of the buying public. Children make out huge wish lists and make sure all the relatives know what they want. Santa sits in many stores listening to these lists while parents cringe at the bottom line cost to satisfy these desires. There was mention of a "Christmas guilt syndrome" in some parents who feel they are not able to satisfy the wants of their children. In a recent survey of children between the ages of six and ten years of age, only 5 out of over 150 children mentioned the birth of Christ as having anything to do with the Christmas holiday.
According to the media, everyone must look their best for the holidays and the associated parties.
Viewers are urged to spend hundreds of dollars at the spa to tone up their bodies to look good in the
fabulous fashions required for the holiday events. Caterers advertise their fantastic menus suited to
holiday entertaining and jewelers not only suggest many gems for both men and women, but also to
hang on the tree. These trees are now supposed to be decorated with a different theme each year
which means that a complete new set of ornaments and accessories are required, since last year's
things are now out of fashion. A new tradition every year is best if one attends to broadcast and print
media.
Not only are the people to be pumped and primped, but the home is also to be at their brilliant best,
inside and out. Many dollars are spent covering the house with lights and objects of decor. In the
United States lights which hang to look like icicles which is fine when hanging from the eaves of a
northern home but look rather strange strung on a Florida palm tree. Moving lighted displays of
Santa and reindeer are often found in suburban yards and lights which chase themselves round
windows make one dizzy. Any pine-like tree in the yard must be covered with twinkling lights. The
power companies count the extra dollars these displays add to their coffers. Neighborhoods seem to
burst into electric ‘one upsmanship' to see which house can have the most lighted displays.
"Grandma Was Run Over by a Reindeer" or "Jingle Bells" woofed out by various dogs come from the radio. Whiney songs about how someone was too drunk to make it home for the holidays do little to represent the real spirit of Christmas. Movies about how a child manages to hijack Santa's sleigh or a tale about how the desire for a gun is the central focus of a child's holiday say nothing positive about the American Christmas. The Queazy Bake Oven which makes dog biscuits with dog drool and mud and crud cake is touted as one of the more popular children's gifts of the season.
Many forget that not all families are able to afford even the most simple of holiday gifts or are able
provide a special meal on Christmas. There are many organizations and agencies which engage in
drives in order to provide for those who otherwise would just have another day in their unsatisfactory
lives. Those who remember that the Christmas holiday is one of giving, not receiving, donate
clothing, food, and gifts to make the holiday more memorable for those who cannot provide for
themselves. Some families invite young servicemen in training into their homes for Christmas
dinner. Others adopt elderly people who have no family and treat them as treasured relatives
throughout the year. Scouting groups hold food and clothing drives for their respective communities.
Church members give of their time to prepare and deliver Christmas dinners. Those who show they
care by giving to others reflect the true meaning of the Christmas holiday.
© Humbug 2002
