People bemoan the way commercialization has changed traditional Christmas, but, as Boorstin pointed out, commercialization invented much of what we think of as traditional about the holiday. Thus, the rise of impulse purchases, and to pay for them, a growing middle class. We got chains and self-service stores and the notion of packaging products no longer just for storage and transport - but in containers seductively decorated so as to sell themselves.īy the late 20th century, historian Daniel Boorstin wrote, Europeans still "went to market to buy what they wanted, while Americans went increasingly to see what they wanted." We got the notion of buying cars on installment plans and of having things before we could pay for them. We got inexpensive plate glass for window shopping, so the poor could see what they were missing out on. We got department stores with fixed prices displaying the finest wares to everyone, instead of reserving them exclusively for the wealthy. We got sewing machines and readymade clothes, so even the less-well-off could dress well. The last 150 years saw change after change that democratized consumption. Ben Franklin wrote, "Rather go to Bed Supperless than rise in Debt," but now our mottos are "Born to shop" and "I shop, therefore I am." Now our money is plastic and our debt is real. Somewhere along the way, we got to be a nation that consumes instead of creates, that spends instead of saves. More freedom the way Americans measure it, which is ways to spend money. More books, more clothes, more housewares, more places to eat. A Tysons sign advertises the new expansion with the simple word "More." More what? More walking, that's for sure. Tysons is one of the largest malls in the country, and it recently got bigger. "I've been walking around looking for her for the past 45 minutes," says one guy.īad place to lose someone. There is a long row of men on couches with their jaws in their hands, not reading or talking, blank and mule-like, waiting for their women. There are parents pushing strollers weighed down with packages, and fat babies with William H. There are packs of coltish teenage girls. Stepping out of a store and into the hallway at Tysons, we risk being trampled by the herd.
This is the Saturday crush, a few weeks before the big gift-giving day. It's the Christmas season and what better place than a mall? Hallelujah! Let's shop. We collect "atomic" clocks and decorative candles. Another animal might have collected nuts for the winter. On these Saturdays before Christmas, we start early and go till it's dark, our arms heavy like we've accomplished something, and perhaps we have. When the shopping bug hits, sometimes we buy a thing without even knowing who it's for, but damn if it isn't the cutest cat-shaped clay teapot we've ever seen! Acquisition feels good desire begets desire.
ZGALLERY CHRISTMAS REINDEER PLUS
("Need" in that flexible sense of the word, the way a couch needs a decorative pillow.) We buy ourselves a cheese board, plus a belt to go with the boots we're also buying, because we're nothing if not generous and after all, it's nearly Christmas. Besides, we're already here, right? Surely we need some-thing. We see a sale sign, it's like a buffet in the forest. "When you're at the mall, your natural instinct. "But they were on sale," says her friend, Hilary Stetekluh. "We bought ourselves some sweaters," says Emily Sajewski, 14, standing in Tysons Corner Center during a trip, ostensibly, to shop for Christmas gifts. If you have seen my Instagram posts, I also harken it to the Arts & Crafts Design Period.But enough about presents. It is my “bar-like” area which is also very cozy and almost lodge-like.
ZGALLERY CHRISTMAS REINDEER TV
I have a tri-level home with a “family room” or “rec room” in the lower level, which is slightly like a basement area that I use for watching TV and having wine. :) Keep on reading to see what I’ve done. I know some people go all out with new sheet sets and comforters, but I just don't see the need to do so. I also only really decorate the main areas of my home rather than bedrooms. Even when I was in my apartment, I loved having a tree, and it hasn't changed (it’s grown) since I’ve moved into my home.Īlthough how I decorate for Christmas in my home has not changed drastically, every year I do change it up slightly and add a few new items to spice up the look. One of my favorite holiday traditions is decorating my home for Christmas.
I love everything about it-the decorations, the lights, warm treats like gingerbread coffee and hot chocolate, shopping, fun parties, time with family and friends, TV specials, food, cookies, and wine-you name it. Happy Holidays! Although there is something I love about every season, Christmas and the holidays truly have to be one of my favorite times of year.