There are several celebrations throughout the year which are dominated by shops and companies taking the opportunity to make large profits. Heavy advertising campaigns. which begin well in advance of the celebration itself, mean that some people pay very little attention to the actual reason behind the event. In the following essay, I will discuss some of the problems this causes and also offer some solutions.
One of the main problems with some celebrations is that the focus on spending money causes great stress and anxiety. People worry about what gifts to buy or about not having enough money to splash out on their loved ones. Take Christmas for example, when people often waste their hard-earned cash on unnecessary or unwanted gifts just because they feel pressured into buying something. Many families end up in serious debt at this time of the year.
Perhaps the most significant problem, however, is that the true meaning of the celebration is forgotten. Most celebrations are about appreciating life and spending time with friends and family. As a result of focusing on presents and money, this is often forgotten, and the tradition of gift-giving can lead to arguments and tension between friends and relatives.
I believe the solutions to these problems are simple. Firstly, it is the duty of schools and parents to educate the younger generation, teaching them the true meaning of each celebration. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, people should agree to limit the number of presents they give and receive, consequently putting less emphasis on the materialistic aspects of the occasion.
In conclusion, therefore, there are several negative effects associated with celebrations revolving around money. In order to limit the effects, the younger generation need to be educated about the true meaning of celebrations and people should resist the marketing ploys that encourage us to buy without thinking about the consequences.
