The commercialization of our holiday calendar is complete. It seems like every single national day of significance is associated with a retail promotion of some description.
The frenzy of activity at Wal-Mart on the eve of these holidays is surely a barometer of consumer confidence and a powerful measure of economic strength. Is it necessary to merchandise Christmas decorations in September, and is Valentine’s Day really all about candy, and stuffed animals? I understand that retail marketing is super competitive but I think too many of us get suckered into believing the advertising and enable the entire process by filling our carts with stuff.
The graphic below is a representational retail calendar for any given year. It has been adapted here from a calendar produced by the National Retail Federation and is published as a planning guide for retail shop keepers. If you ever get the feeling that there’s always a sale going, you’re probably right. Energetic shop keepers can keep you engaged year-round with creative holiday themed marketing.
Adapted from National Retail Federation - Green Box = sales release date, Black Box = holiday
Do you think our holidays have become over-commercialized?
Definitely, I think that in most societies the shift has been from the spirit of the holiday to things.
Two years from now, you will not be using half of the junk that you “needed” for Christmas etc…
True, it puts pressure on everyone to give stuff that others may not need. This is why the consumer is the big economic driver in the U.S.
Well said. I would totally agree. It seems marketers will use anything to try to get people in the store. Either holidays or days of the week seem to be used to get a fuss going. Where I live Tuesdays are seniors days at a lot of places. What’s next?
Tuesdays! I’ve seen a few movie theatres than offer lower prices for Tuesday tickets too. I suppose they’re trying to spread the demand more evenly over the entire week and avoid staff standing around with nothing to do…and make more money.
I dunno… Seems like we could use a few more bogus holidays in there like Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. It would also be nice if we all got the day off to shop. The frugal among us could just stay home and kick back
That’s a great idea. Flex days off work to squeeze in more shopping. Retailers would definitely support this
You forgot St. Patrick’s Day! I have mixed feelings about it. I don’t like the over-commercialization of all the holidays, but I think kids enjoy the holidays & I like to do a little something for them for most holidays. My husband refers to many of these as Hallmark holidays. Today is Valentine’s Day & he wished me a Happy Halloween this morning!
I like your husband’s sense of humor. The Hallmark store I happened to walk past today was going crazy with frantic Valentine shoppers. Great business for them.
I think I’ve weaned off the whole commercialization deal. I don’t shop that often, and often when I have to, it’s online.
Exception made of course for hardware stores. That’s totally different.
Haha, there’s always a perfectly acceptable exception. Ironically, the only shop I really enjoy spending money in never has a sale or promotion of any kind…my local bike shop.
Perfect timing – as I was walking home yesterday, there were more people out on the streets than ever before. My wife experienced traffic like no other day. The over-commercialization pushed us indoors. We didn’t want to wait for hours just to eat out on V-day. While I do think it is obsessive and it’s strange seeing Xmas items in the stores before thanksgiving even, it’s just like anything else. Everyone is trying to make a buck. It’s a sad reality, but reality nonetheless.
Capitalism promotes aggressive retail behavior, and on balance I suppose we do benefit from this competition. Although, it can be overwhelming.
Hell, yes, holidays have become way too commercialized. Some of the worst ones for me are the commercials for President’s Day sales. Because I’m sure that’s what Lincoln had in mind when he was delivering the Gettysburg address “I know what I’m doing here is ethically correct and will have a permanent impact on this country. I sure hope they celebrate my memory and legacy with a good deal on sheets!”
Ha! There’s no escaping it. Lincoln selling sheets, I don’t think he foresaw this.
There’s always a sale somewhere, right?
Sometimes I feel like I am the only person in the world, or my family, that doesn’t go all crazy for a sale or a holiday. Don’t get me wrong I love celebrating a holiday but I don’t necessarily have the urge to spend money on those “holidays”. That’s why I like the PF blogging world. I feel at home with like-minded people.
I’m always happy to avoid the crush and the frenzy, but I like a great deal too. PF bloggers unite!
I definitely think that you are right. They are over commercialized. But, it has been happening for years and isn’t something new. Maybe the new thing is to the degree that retailers are taking it to a new level. When will we start to see Christmas decorations and sales in the year 2020? Right after the 4th of July?
You’re right Hank, this is not a new phenomenon. There’s a dollar store here that sells Christmas decorations year-round!
I like this graphic. It’s pretty crazy, but usually we can avoid the holidays sales.
With a little planning you can avoid the crush, and get a great deal.
Um, yeah. Definitely. Great graphic.
Thanks Julie. It’s everywhere, and easy to become overwhelmed.
Wow the calendar looks so full when you look at it that way. The holidays are definitely over commercialized but it doesn’t bother me now because I am not a year round shopper. It can be really tough on people who have bad will power to resist spending money though. -Sydney
Self control is a huge aspect to successful personal finances. I’m pretty good at this, most of the time. Thanks Sydney.
The over-commercialization of our holidays is one of my chief issues with our country. Why does every holiday need to be just another reason to spend more money? Why can’t we just spend the holiday doing what it’s all about and enjoying each others company?
Nice graphic. Just goes to show that there is retail holiday almost every month. So we keep our wallets out all the time
Amen. It’s always the “deal that’s to good to pass up”
I’m loving your infographics Hunter! They even make you feel good by saying when you shop you stimulate the economy!
While true, your personal financial well-being should come before everything else.
There’s nothing in itself wrong with buying gifts, but I do think we often miss the point because of this. I think its far more a romantic gesture to go and buy some really good ingredients and cook breakfast in bed for a loved one, than it is to get expensive jewellery on your credit card that you can’t really afford. However there is no money in it for anyone to promote these acts of kindness, so all we hear is that we should buy this and that. It almost has the feel that doing acts of kindness is a cop out for not spending money, which of course it isn’t.
I would much rather a get a just because gift anytime of year than these mandated gifts (ex; Valentine’s day for many couples)on the specific given day.
It is mor special when someone does something because they want to not because of some stupid Holiday that will charge them top dollar!
Holidays are certainly commercialized, but people are the ones that fall into the commercial trap. Nobody is forcing anybody to buy Halloween decorations or a a big feast for Thanksgiving. I think that that’s just the way NA culture is – we’re so wrapped up in consumption that even holidays are about that.
funny! I like the stupid holidays. but I don’t go out and buy gifts!
We’d all be broke if we shopped for every holiday.
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