Christmas is very close and all the kids are eager in anticipation of what
Santa will bring them this year for being good. And parents think it is so
sweet when their little ones scribble their wishes down and send them to Father
Christmas. Of course, we let them trust in Santa Claus’ existence since it is
universally accepted that this is a part of childhood.
So we are made to believe that Christmas is for the kids and therefore
keep up the pretence of this old man who gives presents away for good behaviour
only, independent of the income level of the parents. The parents feel bad if
they can’t afford the wishes of the kids and try their utmost to create a
perfect Christmas as it is shown in so many movies – with a kind and loving Santa
Claus. The so-called free market with all its monopolies never tires of reminding
us from August onwards what is needed to create such a special event. They even
sell snow in spray cans so that Christmas can be just like in Hollywood.
But who actually is that kind, old man with a bag full of nice gifts for
the children called Father Christmas or Santa Claus?
According to the legend the primary inspiration for Father Christmas/Santa
Claus came allegedly from Saint Nicholas of Myra. He was a Christian bishop and
famous for his gifts for the poor. But this figure was blended over the years
with several local folklores (Germanic, Nordic countries, pagan etc.), hence,
he appeared in a variety of different coloured costumes with various helpers
and utensils, until multinational companies discovered him as a great
advertisement icon. Coca-Cola was not the first company, but their massive
advertisement campaign in the 1920s manifested the good old Father Christmas in
the Coca-Cola colours red and white in our brains to such an extent that this
representative of Christmas managed even to push Christian figures out of the
focus of attention on Jesus’ birthday party.
So let me get that into perspective. Some folklore mixed with a
religious figure finalized by a multinational corporation is put in front of
our faces from August onwards to remind children to start scribbling down their
wishes. The parents are made to believe that they should give in to such a
sweet effort and to fulfill all the expensive wishes of the kids, picked from
the capitalist catalogue whatever the cost, so as not to destroy their
childhoods. And since the stores are filled up with potential Christmas
presents from August onwards there is enough time to spend over four months of
wages on copious amounts of presents from the multinational companies. Of course
all the goods are overpriced, justified by the corporations by the seasonal increase
in demand. All that companies are concerned about is using children’s pester
power to make maximum profits.
And as soon as Christmas is over, everyone is stressed, in debt and half
the presents are of no use whatsoever and go to the skip or are being exchanged
for vouchers. In the meantime, the big companies are working on a plan to
increase the importance of the Easter bunny for a healthy childhood.
And we think, we do it all for
the kids
Merry Christmas!
