It’s October 12th, and you’re coming home from a late practice. There’s an away game at 4 pm tomorrow, and you forgot to pick up your partner’s Buddy-Gift for the bus. You find the closest Walmart in your area and park, speed-walking inside in need of those Reese’s and Cliff Bars. Hopefully, they’re on sale, because you’re only holding a five-dollar bill. You walk inside and stop, frozen in your tracks at the sight before you: Christmas lights, Christmas trees, and even mini Rudolphs, spread throughout the room. It hasn’t even been Halloween, let alone Thanksgiving, but Saint Nick posters are on the walls. How could this be? 

The Facts

For the past decade, companies throughout the U.S. have been marketing Christmas far too early than we would like. Let’s admit it: Christmas is fantastic; there is nothing more exciting than snow coating the ground or dipping freshly baked cookies into milk. But the early advertising throughout the stores? I’m good. With shelves being over-stocked with products no one will buy, and Christmas foods on the stand becoming staler by the minute, it’s obnoxious to see these products come so soon.

Although these advertisements can be insufferable to the public, there is a vital element most overlook during the holidays: kindness. 

“It’s motivated by greed… it’s not motivated by goodwill and kindness to others, ” Mr. Casey, an English teacher at Pentucket, states. 

Throughout the holidays, most are so focused on buying and receiving gifts that they overlook the actual element of Christmas; that is, to be kind and thoughtful to those around them. However, instead of celebrating the Christian premises of Christmas – kindness, sacrifice, consideration – we are flooded by Christmas ads on Amazon.

The ads, whether it is on a television screen or clipped to a post on Instagram, do not promote these beliefs nor what Christmas is supposed to be about. 

The Elements of Christmas

Christmas, literally, is about the birth of Jesus Christ. In reality, however, most see it as a day to slack off, receive gifts, and eat the pie your aunt brought to your house. I will admit, there is nothing better than watching Christmas movies while eating your aunt’s pie. Moreover, all of these activities are extremely family-oriented, which is how the holidays are believed to be. Yet, with advertisements promoting false accusations of Christmas and celebrating it, many can be left overlooking its true meaning or being influenced to follow the wrong one. 

Yes, kindness is crucial when it comes to the holidays. There is nothing better than receiving a smile (or gift) from someone you love. 

Nevertheless, those who do the smiling, or gift-giving, often go unnoticed. Christmas involves a variety of sacrifices, whether it is for your family or yourself. Those elements are bases to remember and reflect on, however, they often go unrecognized. 

“Christmas is supposed to be about family . . . but the media and commercials and all the early products make it more about gift giving rather than the true meaning of Christmas, which is to be kind and give to others. However, some get so caught up in gift-giving that we often forget the true meaning behind it,”  Kate Conover, a sophomore at Pentucket, claims. 

Due to companies promoting Christmas far too early, as well as the media and commercials exploiting the true aspect of the holiday, many often become ignorant of what Christmas should be and is celebrated for. In fact, it is pretty ironic, considering that ads and companies do nearly the opposite of what they should be advertising. 

Christmas will always and forever be a loved holiday. However, with advertisements promoting Christmas earlier than we would like, it can be challenging to remember the true meaning of Christmas and what we are truly celebrating it for. Not to mention, it is extremely annoying as well.