Bah humbug…Don’t do it

 

“Capitalism isn’t concerned about your financial struggles.” Dr. BLR

 

Every so often, I find myself explaining, primarily to my students, that I don’t celebrate any holidays or birthdays. When I say any holidays or birthdays, I mean just that. Some will remark, well, how about your kid’s birthday? My response is that they were born once, so no, I don’t celebrate those either. At that moment, I get a strange look, followed by a “why?” 

The simple answer is that all of these holidays, birthdays, or events were made up without my input. Not that I am defiant, it’s just that I like to decide when and where I will spend my money. I will then try to head off the following comment, which goes like this: “You don’t have to spend money. You can make a gift.” I then follow up with, "Yeah, okay, you tell that to your kids.” 

The good thing is that I sat my kids down very early in their lives and explained my position. The confused look on their faces told me they didn’t understand. Of course, they’re kids. I then put it to bed and said I didn’t need a special day to celebrate them. I would do it every day if I wanted to. When they smiled, I knew I had won and wouldn’t have to address this anymore. 

Now, to my bigger issue with this nonsense. Most societies grapple with capitalism. It is both cherished and despised. I am no fan, but I understand its importance. No, I am not a Marxist, but I like to see “all” people able to afford a very comfortable life. When holidays, birthdays, and the like come around, people who really don’t have the means will literally go broke to please their children or impress someone. The cost of this lunacy drives many people into debt, and it spirals out of control. I’ve seen it in full view, and I sit back and watch. It’s said that it’s best to learn from someone else’s mistakes rather than your own. 

Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas are the three holidays that stand out and frustrate me the most. First, let me go on record and say that no, I am not cheap. I don’t have a spending limit for myself. Whatever I want, I buy, regardless of the cost. It is when I feel pressured to spend money on others that I cringe. My kids don’t have this worry either. Please, don’t tell them. I believe holidays were created to pressure consumers into spending money on things they don’t need. Most people live paycheck to paycheck and don’t have a “rainy day fund” in case an emergency arises. 

Okay, the holidays. Valentine’s Day is a scam. If you love someone, you shouldn’t have to wait for this day to come around every year just so your significant other can feel special. You should make them feel special every day and be spontaneous. The cost of flowers, chocolate, stuffed bunnies, cards, and whatever else companies produce to get consumers to buy is getting out of hand. A simple “I love you” or “I like you” should suffice. Again, I am not cheap.

Next, Easter is a religious holiday, and I am agnostic, so it doesn’t register. However, spending money on clothes to look fashionable in church is nonsense. I understand the rituals that accompany this holiday, but shouldn’t you be able to come as you are, even in a pair of jeans and a collared shirt? Asking for a friend. Dyeing hard-boiled eggs to eat later is a waste of time. Don’t get me started on the cost of jellybeans, chocolate, and marshmallow rabbits. 

Last, and the most expensive holiday, Christmas. Deep down, I have a personal issue with this holiday. Growing up, I believed in the mythical figure Santa Claus, and no, I won’t do any research to figure out why and where he came from. Until I was about eight years old, I thought the fat white guy actually made my gifts, along with his pint-sized elves, at the North Pole. I fell for the bullshit that if I were awake when he arrived, I would receive a lump of coal as a present. The truth came out one day when I was being nosy and found all of my gifts in my mother’s closet, days before. At that point, I thought it was cruel to lie about it, but I understood. While we were by no means rich, my siblings and I received many toys. As I got older, I promised myself that if I ever had children, I would never let a fat white man take credit for something I did, just calling it as I see it. 

In recent years, I’ve noticed that Christmas advertising has been put on steroids. With food prices skyrocketing and energy costs going through the roof, how in the hell do companies expect us to buy brand-new cars, diamonds, and other outrageously priced gifts when our incomes don’t match the cost of those goods? Even if we do purchase them, we will probably be locked in for 60-72 months, paying an exorbitant monthly bill. I envision many people having their purchases repossessed and their credit cards maxed out. Herein lies the bigger issue for society.

In the 1930s, sociologist Robert Merton developed a sociological and criminological theory, called strain theory, which holds that society pressures individuals to pursue the American dream but doesn’t provide them with the means to do so. I believe individuals spend beyond their means to feel better and to avoid acknowledging their poor financial situation. This might explain why we have so much crime in society today, yet no one wants to talk about that correlation. I will. The mirror is often a place many don’t want to face for fear of having to be honest with themselves.

So, what am I trying to say? If you have the expendable funds, by all means, live your life. For those who don’t, please be smart and don’t get caught up in trying to keep up with anyone. Holidays are man-made for a reason, to get consumers to spend money they probably don’t have. Teaching your children this valuable lesson will save you a lot of heartache and explanation. By the way, I gave my kids money in the middle of December so they could buy themselves something because they know not to ask on Christmas. Bah humbug.