Despite the many people who eagerly count the clock for this commercialized day to be over—with its fake stories and seeds of greed—America begins ramping up right after Halloween, preparing everyone to get into the spirit of… BUYING.
Extreme guilt is placed on the lonely or those whose family members are deceased or otherwise nonexistent. Photo bombs and video reels flood our screens, showing people drinking Coca-Cola with family and friends who love them. Meanwhile, we ignore the recent school shootings, the murders, the brutality, the political climate, the religious conflicts of non-Christians, and the lies that started it all. Instead, we are coerced to… buy. Welcome to the end of year retail rally we call Christmas.
I Cried When I Returned to America After Visiting a Less Fortunate Country.
It wasn’t because I don’t love America—it was because I realized America is unwell.
During my visit to a third-world country, I saw something raw and unprogrammed that I hadn’t encountered in over 50 years. There, people sipped coffee out of tiny cups that would take over 20 to fill an average American mug. Most Americans drink two or more of these massive mugs daily.
People walked where they needed to go. When I returned to America, I noticed that every car looked new, massive, and fuel-hungry. The people I visited shopped in old buildings and received rations, while Walmart and other stores in America overflow with goods. But who is paying the real cost?
In the third world country I visited, children played outside at night. In America, children are shot in school.
Neighbors socialized in person, visiting each other’s homes regularly. In contrast, within the typical American household, everyone is secluded in their rooms and corners, eyes glued to screens.
Americans, Keep Your Wallets Out!
Before Santa even pulls his sleigh into the driveway, you will be BOMBARDED with commercials and advertisements to include:
- After-Christmas sale items
- New Year party prep
- Valentine’s Day gifts
- Spring Break travel deals
- Easter dresses, bunnies, candy, and dinner
- Mother’s Day
- Father’s Day
- Summer picnics, camps, and vacations
- Back-to-school shopping
- Birthday celebrations
- Halloween costumes and candy
- Thanksgiving turkeys and travel
- Black Friday madness
- Cyber Monday deals
…and eventually, we circle right back to Christmas.
If You Can Ignore This Debacle, You Are to Be Commended!
Don’t feel bad if you decide to skip traveling for Christmas. If you have the day off, put your feet up, sip some tea, and enjoy the quiet. Call someone to tell them you were thinking of them. Christmas should be everyday, minus the retail fury.
Join the growing number of Americans embracing the #antiHoliday movement. Be proud of prioritizing peace over chaos.
#ConsumerismDetox #AntiHoliday #TrueMeaning #HolidaySurvival #ChristmasRealityCheck
