The commercialization of Christmas has made us forget its true meaning

In the days leading up to Christmas, long lines at stores, deals at malls, and the constant bombardment of advertising remind us that the holiday season is not only a time of celebration, but also of consumption.

Although many families see this holiday as an opportunity to strengthen family togetherness, the pressure of marketing and commercialization has diverted its original meaning.

“I think a more interesting question is who doesn’t benefit financially from Christmas, and I think it’s the everyday consumer who may go into debt or use their savings because they think gifts equal love,” said Yolanda James, a social studies teacher at CHAH.

This phenomenon especially affects working families, who face both social and emotional pressures to meet the expectations imposed by marketing.

“The way Christmas is thought to be celebrated is through family gatherings and spending time with loved ones without spending so much on material things,” said George Carrillo, a student at CHAH.

According to George Carrillo, Christmas should be celebrated with family gatherings and spending time with our loved ones, which is similar to what Marianny Gomez a CHAH student said below.

“Christmas should be celebrated with your family, showing affection and love for being able to be together and overcoming the difficulties they went through during the year and moving forward overcoming them,” said Gomez.

Each family has the freedom to decide how to celebrate Christmas, but it is important to be aware of the impact of marketing and social pressures.

Beyond gifts and shopping, this holiday should be a reminder of gratitude, love and strength. In the end, the most valuable thing is not found under the tree, but in the people around it.