As 2014 draws to a close, many people are taking the time to reflect on the past and to start anew. However, they must overcome one final, financially-draining obstacle: the holidays.  Come September, Christmas trees and boughs of holly can be seen adorning the aisles of stores. As early as November 1, we are hounded by businesses constantly advertising their holiday sales and the slew of new products being released just in time for the season.  Dozens of stores open earlier each and every year for their Black Friday blowouts while most of us are just barely over Halloween.  Many people feel that the holidays are being shoved down their throats.  Businesses have been using this method to garner the attention of customers’ since the dawn of consumerism.  The evolution of technology has allowed for companies to take marketing to a whole new level and has caused advertising to seep into every aspect of one’s life.

Advertisers do extensive research to learn the habits of this faction and design campaigns to perfectly relate to the tastes of their target demographic.  Based on their findings, an ad campaign is created that will entice and evoke response from potential customers.  Once the content is released, consumers from all over are witnessing countless sales pitches through television, radio and internet.  If the commercials make a great enough impression, people will become more tempted to buy the product and share the information with others.  During this time of year, companies attempt to gain our interest by reminding us of the very elements of the holidays we are abandoning.  Commercials showing the faces of children as they open their presents or families around the dinner table are used to tug on the heart strings of consumers and make them want to buy into the fantasy being portrayed.

The bombardment commercial society is faced with is more than evident of the holiday season’s abandonment of its pious roots.  While a more secular celebration is observed in this day and age, the true spirit associated with the holidays has come to its demise.  A season once characterized by family and giving, it is being replaced by more commercialized, materialistic festivities.  Businesses have manipulated the concept of giving so that it becomes synonymous solely with spending money to please others or remotely make a difference.  Society needs to help shift the focus back on the true essence of the holidays- home, hearth, family and generosity.  Through small acts of kindness and a stronger appreciation of family, society can experience the warmth and comfort that these advertisements provide.