I hate the commercials that are shown at Christmas.  They make almost everyone feel like a total douche.  The worst is the whole “he went to Jared” hype.  You know the ones with the girls on the cell phones, or the moms listening in the kitchen, or the newest of the group…the kids watching mom and dad make out because “he went to Jared’s”  Puke!  Oh sure, in this economy men all over the world are running to the jewelry store to buy mega diamonds for their wives.  I mean it’s tough enough buying for the kids, parents, and grandchildren but now men are made to feel like if they can’t afford diamonds they are losers.  It’s like all the relentless toy ads aimed at children.  Of course they want, want, want.  They are small and they don’t understand.  But so many commercials are aimed at adults who can barely afford to pay the mortgage and of course they would love to buy diamonds for their significant others.   They just can’t.

I have seen enough Lexus’s with big bows on their heads for a lifetime.  I have to admit, my hubby did buy me a car for our anniversary several years ago.  In nine years I have put 35,000 miles on that car.  I love it to pieces, but I don’t need another and I certainly don’t need a Lexus.  Why aren’t hybrids being pushed more.  Why aren’t we looking for fuel efficient vehicles?  I have yet to see a Prius with a big bow on its head.  My husband and I agree that if we need to buy a new car we will only consider hybrid models.  How many people does Lexus think are going, “Hey, what a great idea.  Let’s put a $50,000 vehicle under the tree”.  I see going to Jared’s as a much more affordable solution than a Lexus, but still too much.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I have nothing against jewelry as a gift.  I have been the receipient of several gifts of jewelry.  They always get the appropriate response.  I have ooohed and ahhed over every piece I have ever been given, and they are all treasured gifts. However; in this economy, it is irresponsible to buy mammoth Christmas gifts.  It’s time we all learned a lesson from those who survived The Great Depression and learn to cut back.  I have cut way back on Christmas over the last few years.  There are less gifts in general,  and those that I do buy I try to buy on sale.  I started way back when, buying gifts so I could budget the money over a longer period of time.  We are trying so hard to pay off our credit cards that adding to them would be ridiculous.  Rather than spend more money in December I have allowed myself X number of dollars per month and have shopped a little each month for the last four months.  I’m not preaching…I just feel that even if you have the money it’s ridiculous to waste it. 

Apparently the PR guys at Jared’s think that we will fold to the power of advertising.  The stupid Jared’s commercials are about as frequent as the roadside signs begging you to visit Wall Drug.  I refuse to give in!  I have told my hubby not to buy me anything that has a power cord but I have fed him tons of things I would like to have for Christmas that are under $50.  He has terrific taste, and I’m not concerned at all that he won’t go to Jared’s.  For one thing, we don’t even have a Jared’s but if we did he knows I would much rather have something more sensible.  I don’t want to feel guilty about any gifts I receive.  I don’t want the children to buy us gifts.  They need their money.  I don’t want my mom to give us gifts of food (which she will) 1. because we are dieting, and 2. because she has been having pain in her shoulders and she shouldn’t be cooking.  I am making presents for my friends and sisters.  I think there is a lot to be said for something that was homemade.  It means the person loved you enough to take time out of their life to create something for you.  Give me that any day. 

The best part of Christmas is the look of wonder in a small child’s face when they see the Christmas lights.  So if you don’t have one, use the money you save not going to Jared’s to rent one.  The first real Christmas The Precious remembers was last year.  He wanted to take all the ornaments (balls) off the tree and throw them.  But can you imagine a tree filled with his favorite toy?  He was so intensely happy that we had created a “ball” tree just for him (at least in his mind).  He didn’t give a rat’s ass about the other trimmings.  Yes, he loved opening his presents, but it was the tree that occupied his mind.  My girls appreciate their Christmas stocking from Santa the most.  My vag. daughter has said it’s because their is never the same thing in them.  My non-vag. daughter says she loves it for the same reason.  We have everything from gag gifts to actually nice gifts in the stockings.  The stockings are from Santa so it allows even the adults to feel like a kid again.

I love Christmas.  I love the family time.  I love trading recipes at Christmas potlucks.   I love the Christmas lights.  I love having everyone home.  I love everything about it…except all of those commercials.  When it comes to getting it at Jared’s I say bah-humbug!!!