T'was the night before Valentine's Day and all through the town
Was the hustle and bustle of running around
The balloons were blown by the flowers with care
In hopes that last-minute romantics soon would be there
Mom with the cards and Dad with the chocolates
Give a good laugh to the big-building conglomerates
On spouses, on girlfriends, on boyfriends, on fiances
Make sure you have the best gift for your sweetheart this day!
Hallmark rejoiced and American Greetings in delight
Happy Valentine's to all, spend all your money tonight!
I couldn't help but watch all the frantic customers run in and out of Wal-Mart last night as I waited at the crosswalk to leave the parking lot. Every year I am more amazed at how crazy the last-minute crowds are in every store before the holidays, even Valentine's Day. I always can't help but wish I was a greeting card company owner, probably rolling in the dough by this time of year. That makes me wonder, do such companies hype up the holidays, tricking consumers into thinking they have to have their products to really make the holiday?
I am in no way bashing the gift-giving and card-sending of the holidays. In fact, I love to get a nice card in the mail, who doesn't? But I'm afraid that for some of our society, holidays like Valentine's Day and Christmas have become contests of the biggest presents or the most money spent. While it's always nice to give, and you want to see your loved ones happy (guilty). I love giving surprises, and last Christmas, I had a Razorback hat signed by Ryan Mallett and the rest of the team to give to my little brother. Sometimes we just can't help going over the top! But sometimes, too far is too far.
While I'm sure no greeting card or paper company will ever admit it, they seem to really play up the holidays, whether through their advertisements or in their stores. Looking through Wal-Mart just the other day, I noticed Justin Bieber Valentines, which is clear marketing to children. It's hard to know you have to impress your children at school amongst all the other parents lavishing them in gifts and deliveries. It's also hard knowing your child is growing up in a society that constantly wants. I couldn't do it, that's for sure. In fact, I'm probably one of them. I just think that it's important, especially around the holidays, that we remember not to get wrapped up in all the buying and letting greeting card companies own us for a few weeks out of the year. Let us love others around us with our hearts, not our pocketbooks.
Molly McAfee
Dear Molly,
ReplyDeleteEven though I happen to think Valentine's day is way over rated, yes it is nice to get a card or some flowers! This "holiday" was probably made by all the flower companies and Hallmark itself.
"Looking through Wal-Mart just the other day, I noticed Justin Bieber Valentines, which is clear marketing to children." At my elementary school, we had two little parties a year, for Christmas and Valentine's Day. We each had to bring cards to every student and a bag of candy. Who knows how much that all adds up to.
"I just think that it's important, especially around the holidays, that we remember not to get wrapped up in all the buying and letting greeting card companies own us for a few weeks out of the year." This is very true, I think people get so caught up in finding the perfect gift that they forget what the holiday is for. It's really about expressing your love to people you truly care about, not trying to find the perfect card or perfect necklace.
I really enjoyed this blog, and the poem at the top is really cute and creative. I also thought the writing in itself was easy to read and I liked your subject. :)
Bunting
Dear Molly,
ReplyDeleteI loved your blog about how holidays such as Valentines Day and Christmas being about showing others we care by using our hearts and not our pocketbooks. I agree that so many people these days think that if they buy the most expensive and extravigant presents, then that means they love them more or something, which is not the case usually.
You really caught my attention when you said; "That makes me wonder, do such companies hype up the holidays, tricking consumers into thinking they have to have their products to really make the holiday?" I got to thinking about it, and you are totally on point in saying that companies hype up their merchandise during the holidays to make more people feel obligated to buying their merchandise. Whenever a holiday comes around you feel obligated to buy their merchandise, a great example you stated is especially greeting cards, candy, and flowers on Valentines Day. Another thing you said that caught my eye was this; "Looking through Wal-Mart just the other day, I noticed Justin Bieber Valentines, which is clear marketing to children." I who am an active J-Bieber fan, have seen the Justin Bieber greeting cards and they have caught my attention, so I'm sure they catch the attention of the younger audience as well. Greeting card companies are really good at knowing what people like, what they want, and what they will buy, and produce more of that to make more of a profit.
I thank you for writing this interesting, and fun blog about greeting cards for the holidays. I definately look forward to reading more of your posts in the future!
--Goldfinch
Dear Molly,
ReplyDeleteI really liked what you talked about in this post. I understand your dilemma in the whole greeting card holidays. I loathe Valentines Day because of all the people around buying their loved ones expensive gifts. Like you said whoever we are buying the gifts for should be okay with not getting an expensive gift. If they do than they should either suck it up or leave.
I really like the poem, it really described Valentine's Day. I bet if you just sat outside of walmart for a little bit you would see people fighting about trying to get this gift or how their loved one wants that gift. It's like Christmas or Black Friday all over again. I sure that Valentines will soon become a day where the cops and ambulances go on red alert.
Another part of the post that i liked was when you said "I love giving surprises, and last Christmas, I had a Razorback hat signed by Ryan Mallet and the rest of the team to give to my little brother." I can very much relate to that. Last Christmas I spent so much money on my families gifts thinking i was just so high and mighty. I didn't really begin to think that they did really care about expensive gifts but that they were getting to spend time with me. At least i hope that's what they were thinking.
Thank you for this really good blog post. I don't know if you will, but i hope to read more of some interesting posts about the holidays being involved in corporations. Most pepole don't think about the price when buying gifts. They would probably benefit from reading posts like these.
Sincerely,
Klipspringer