There are great many things I still do not understand about American culture. I'm not opposed to having things, or buying necessary items, or a few indulgences once in awhile. However, at least in this country buying things is practically a competitive sport. We buy crap for the sake of buying crap: never mind the fact that we don't needed it or what effect it will have on our credit card bill, it's cheap or the TV told us to, so it must be good.
This is especially pertinent given the Christmas season. For those who are devout Christian, Christmas has a certain meaning. For everyone else it's superficial. Marketers keep extending the time to advertise Christmas-themed stuff. It was Thanksgiving to New Years, but it's getting earlier. I've already seen attempts at Christmas themed marketing, and it's not even thanksgiving. The season seems more a product of marketing than religion.
Look at how many people line up before the sun comes up the day after thanksgiving at Wal-Mart so they can be the first/only one to buy cheap shit from China.
It's as if there is that is always flashing "Spend Money." It's there year round, but it's particularly pronounced during the Christmas season. It adapts to theme, using Christmas music (which I don't care for). Is it any wonder I consider the Christmas season, largely artificial: i.e. more a product of marketing than religion.