I Guess EVERYTHING Is For Sale!

[Nice n Easy Rider]

Just when I thought the commercialization of Christmas couldn't get much worse I opened this morning's paper to read a letter-to- the-editor in which some parents complained about a local mall's policy. It seems the parents were in line with their kids to have them go up and sit on Santa's lap, etc. After about an half hour wait they were approaching the front of the line when another family was ushered directly up to Santa. A staff person then announced to the distraught folks who had been waiting so patiently that this family had paid the $65 for the "premier Santa package" which allowed them to bypass the line.

 

And before we get into a deep discussion about the meaning of Christmas (I think we all know that it has lost much of its original meaning) let's just try to agree that little kids should be able to have a little fun once in a while. Another thing adults have figured out how to take the joy out of.

[Bob Palin]

No no, that's capitalism at work, it's a good thing - haven't you been reading the posts here?

 

(And Christmas lost much of its original meaning when it was taken over by Christians)

[elkroeger]

Another thing adults have figured out how to take the joy out of.

 

Boy, you nailed that. Premier Santa Package... What a crock.

 

I guess it all comes down to getting in and out of there before the rush. One disturbing sight I witnessed a last year was a man and his 6 year old kid, out in front of the grocery store, on Halloween night. They were trying to decide between the three damaged pumpkins that were left: Rot, cracked open, or a big gash down the side... Hmmm.

 

Something tells me that kid gets ripped off every year.

[notacop]

Ho,Ho,Ho. Who's birthday is it anyway and who's the fat guy in the fur lined hat?

 

Years ago we made a 'Donation' To the Christian school our youngest attended and had a house visit from a very good Santa. The door had been left unlocked and at the prescribed time Santa came crashing in with his Ho-Ho and scared the crap out of the kid. Card charge $20, look on his face priceless....

Turned out well though, the Santa was really prepared with family info, etc. had the son totally stoked by the time he left.

[Ken H.]

And those kids will become spoiled adult a-holes with a chip on their shoulder that the world owes them everything.

 

Some great parenting there. Not.

[Agent_Orange]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkyqODDF-LU&feature=player_embedded#!

[pbharvey]

Call ahead seating for Santa, nice.

[russell_bynum]

No no, that's capitalism at work, it's a good thing - haven't you been reading the posts here?

 

I don't see a problem with that. I wouldn't pay for it, but as long as I was given the opportunity, who cares? It isn't like the Mall Santa is supposed to be a charity....it's a money-making endeavor.

 

Would it be less terrible if it was based on calling ahead and making a reservation rather than paying $65?

[russell_bynum]

And those kids will become spoiled adult a-holes with a chip on their shoulder that the world owes them everything.

 

Some great parenting there. Not.

 

It depends. If the parents make a big deal about how "unfair" it was that someone else is fortunate enough to be able to afford opportunities that they might not, then yeah...that could be a really bad thing. But it certainly doesn't have to turn out that way.

[Ken H.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkyqODDF-LU&feature=player_embedded#!

Well that’s something to watch indeed. Disturbing images, but what a message.

 

“....try cursing and heavy drinking. The results will be inevitable – death.”

 

[Ohio48]

No no, that's capitalism at work, it's a good thing - haven't you been reading the posts here?

 

I don't see a problem with that

 

Well, sure you don't.

[Ohio48]

And those kids will become spoiled adult a-holes with a chip on their shoulder that the world owes them everything.

 

Some great parenting there. Not.

 

+1.

[leikam]

Buying a better spot in line is as old as queuing. Either with time or money, you're paying for access to something that's in demand.

 

As for "commercializing" Christmas, your parents shouldn't be complaining about the "premier Santa package" but the fact that Santa is being used to bring people into malls in the first place. Why isn't Santa at a park or any other non-commercial place?

 

Unpaid access to a retail marketing gimmick doesn't make Christmas less commercial.

[Linz]

Christmas in retailing lost me when our local Mall had "Christmas" Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other cartoon characters plastered all over the place.

 

If retailers could schedule the second coming around June, we'd be assailed by non Christian effigies of commercialism almost all year round. Bah. Humbug.

 

Linz