RE: Daily Discussion No. 2: "Black Friday" and Holiday Shopping - Too Much Emphasis on Consuming Rather than Connecting?
One of the things I love about living here is that the focus is still on family and food (and also homemade wine). I think it's definitely gotten worse. I remember my aunts talking about going Black Friday shopping, but it was Friday morning, not Thursday night or 4 in the morning. I certainly got more presents than I ever needed, but it seems like it's more now and also more expensive stuff. I committed when my older kids were little to three presents from us. One toy, one thing they need, and one family adventure. They do get stuff from Santa, but we don't go over the top with that either. My mother, however, is a different story. She gets a little out of control. I think there's a lot of focus on proving your love based on how much you spend, and that, to me, is the saddest thing.
This brings up something else of interest... you live in Belize where the cost/standard of living is different from here in the US... which gives rise to different values, perhaps. I spent my teen years in Spain, and the emphasis was more on "celebrations" than on things or gift giving. Our Spanish friends would give us things like cakes, or wine, or maybe a bottle of brandy. Not "things."
My point being, some of this is "cultural," but some of it is also "disposable income" related. Here in the US we see people who clearly can't afford it spend large sums of money on gifts... my relatives back in Denmark rarely do... interesting proposition, considering your mother... "Love = money spent?" Is that what US values have become?
Right. I think that's certainly true to a degree. Part of the issue is certainly how much money do you really have to blow. However, tourist season is already picking up, so the dollars are starting to flow, and most people live in homes that have been in their families forever, so very few are paying any rent or mortgage. And Guatemala is really close, so a lot of people just boat down and buy there and sneak back up to avoid duty. So, I think people really could blow a fair amount on toys if they wanted to. It seems, though, that they prefer to spend it on the celebration - lots of rum and food.
I think that is, indeed, what US values have become. I think as far as my mother goes, she shows them love in lots of ways, but she wants them to have the special experience like the kids on tv. She never wants anyone left out or feeling less. She always makes sure they know that she spends the same amount on each grandchild. It's honestly a lot of pressure.