topic Re: Everything Extended Endlessly in Community Chat

Everything Extended Endlessly

Vivian — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:47:24 GMT

Now that we are in the home stretch of the longest election cycle in human history (no political opinion here), I realize that something is happening. We are being subjected to overly extended build-ups of events. It's taking a toll on our psyches.

Christmas, or what is now called the holiday season, is two months long. I cannot recall ever seeing so many Christmas ads on Halloween as I've seen this year. QVC has had their trees up for awhile. To me, ALL this advance build-up takes away from the special meanings of the events and holidays they represent. In other countries, the election cycle is under two months. Somehow they can get it done. Christmas season used to start right after Thanksgiving. Now we feel pressured to start shopping ASAP...or else. Or else what? I can tell you what all the hype has done to me. I have turned off the TV. I've stopped listening. My life is more peaceful as a result.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

GSPgirl — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:49:56 GMT

@Vivian Florimond wrote:
Now that we are in the home stretch of the longest election cycle in human history (no political opinion here), I realize that something is happening. We are being subjected to overly extended build-ups of events. It's taking a toll on our psyches.

Christmas, or what is now called the holiday season, is two months long. I cannot recall ever seeing so many Christmas ads on Halloween as I've seen this year. QVC has had their trees up for awhile. To me, ALL this advance build-up takes away from the special meanings of the events and holidays they represent. In other countries, the election cycle is under two months. Somehow they can get it done. Christmas season used to start right after Thanksgiving. Now we feel pressured to start shopping ASAP...or else. Or else what? I can tell you what all the hype has done to me. I have turned off the TV. I've stopped listening. My life is more peaceful as a result.

I know what you mean, so I voted early and turned the tv to TCM. I also never watch the Christmas shows. My tv doesn't control me.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

bri20 — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:51:27 GMT

We need to enjoy the moment

Thanksgiving is in 3 weeks. I feel like we've been talking about Christmas for months now. Lol

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

SaRina — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:19:59 GMT

Yes, IMO it's sad the media and retailers bombard us about events for an extended period. I don't perceive that as "excitement". I perceive it as "stress". But don't blame them -- blame the individuals who buy into the hype; some people want to and some people can't help themselves. We all have the choice to turn off and tune out...which is what I do as well.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

Mominohio — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:26:17 GMT

I agree that with today's media 24/7/365 need to fill space and create headlines and garner high ratings, and retails constant need for increased sales, things that used to 'have their season' are now almost constant.

I don't think we are going to do anything to change that.

The only solution is for each individual to take control of what they want to be focused on and for what time period, and simply tune out the rest.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

seamus2 — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:29:23 GMT

First I need to say that I am not a member of any Christian faith and so I do not celebrate Christmas. So as an outsider I am confused as to what Christmas really is. To me it should be about the birth of Jesus Christ and the religious and moral aspects that involves. But what I see is the Holiday of Buying as Many Gifts as You Can to Keep Up with the Neighbors, Family, Etc! QVC and all retailers are out to sell their products and make lots of money. It's up to you to decide what holiday you are observing. I celebrate Hannukah which this year starts on Christmas Eve - OY! As I reminise on the 72 years of my life I remember after lighting the menorah the first night getting from my granddparents ONE silver dollar and from my parents ONE small gift! That's it - nothing else the rest of the 8 day holiday! Speed up to when my kids were little over 40 years ago and suddenly there was this competition to give as many gifts for Hannukah as the Christian kids got for Christmas. I didn't fall for that - there was one toy and the rest of the nights they would get things they would get anyway - a pair of mittens, new sheets, pjs, socks, a hat! I still only give one small gift for each of my grandchildren and no presents to my adult children. So what I'm saying you do what you are comfortable with and what's important to you! And don't fall for the retailers who are there to make money!

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

IamMrsG — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:31:54 GMT

@Vivian You are so right. I never did buy into that "multi-tasker" garbage. I've always admitted to being a limited person, and can only do one holiday at a time.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

151949 — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:41:31 GMT

I doubt there is any voter in America who isn't sick & tired of this election. Honestly, I feel it has been going on for 5 years.I can recall when it didn't start til labor day. All the money wasted on this - makes ones stomach turn.

Retail companies are all so afraid that someone else may get a dollar of your Christmas budget that they ruin the holidays trying to rush to get their hands on your money as soon as they can.I read somewhere that 80% of the money spent every year is spent at Christmas.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

vermint — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:56:23 GMT

DH & I quit buying gifts for almost everyone years ago. We get one small gift for each other to open on Christmas morning, and something for my dad. We have no children and our other parents are gone now. IF we do anything big, it's something for the house...furniture, etc. Any other "holiday dollars" we spend go to our church's various charitable programs. The season has become soooo much less stressful this way!

I think the election cycle should be something like this:

1. Candidates announce themselves.

2. Primaries a month later.

3. General election two months after that.

With TV and the internet they get plenty of exposure. I've NEVER gone to a political rally to see a candidate in person.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

Goldengate8361 — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:56:28 GMT

The good news is that we have a choice on how we respond. I, for one, have no interest whatsoever in baseball, CMA awards, or decorating for holidays and, therefore, it has been really easy for me to ignore those things that have recently been promoted and all over TV. On the other hand, I LOVE politics and, I admit, I'm a little worried that I'll have withdrawal pains after the election (LOL). I know I'm in the minority on that one....but it's true--I hate that the election will soon be over. The point is that we all have a choice in how we respond.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

151949 — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:58:14 GMT

@seamus2 I agree that a lot of the problem with the holidays now a days is the excessiveness. When I was a child we got a gift from Santa and a gift from our parents and grandparents. Other than that we had some Aunts & uncles who would stop by on Christmas and bring something like cookies or maybe a coloring book or paper dolls. I remember at about 6 years old getting a little plastic purse from my aunt - OMG - did she know she was starting a lifetime obsession? I loved that purse and carried it everywhere until it fell apart. We did have a bachelor uncle who always gave us a silver dollar.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

Kardi — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:59:16 GMT

We are making ourselves sick and crazy. I've noticed that the contentiousness of the presidential campaign has had an adverse effect on the dispositions of friends. Everyone seems to be testy and on the edge of biting someone's head off. Add the pressure of the holidays and it's no surprise so many self-medicate and are just miserable.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

dex — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 13:19:32 GMT

I have also had enough of the election...what a mess.I think everything is just overdone these days.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

YorkieonmyPillow — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:06:48 GMT

It isn't making me sick and crazy because I don't expose myself to the stupidity.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

Nancy Drew — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:22:02 GMT

Like others have said, I cannot control what others put out there so I control what comes into my world. I have limited political tv news to one hour a day. Once QVC put up their Christmas trees I stopped watching except Isaac Mizhrahi on Monday nights. I check my Facebook news feed twice a day only. I limit my post here to two a day if that. I have researched and kept up with my stocks and retirement and financials like I never have before. I have taken my dogs for more walks and have met more neighbors in the neighborhood that Ever before. Reading and watching tv that brings me joy has increased. I had to turn things around for my own sanity.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:27:44 GMT

While I'll definitely be happy when the election is over, this one was sure a doozy! One party started with about a dozen possible candidates! Yikes!

As for the holidays, QVC has a whole month of Christmas in July! I've always assumed that this was an option used primarily by seniors on fixed incomes who like to make ez pay payments on gifts they wish to purchase rather than having a massive credit card bill in January.

As for the retailers starting early .... seems to me that if one of them starts early or does something in the fall season, then the other retailers follow suit! They are very competitive, so it's to be expected, IMO. I just ignore whatever I can.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

jaxs mom — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:33:52 GMT

@Vivian Florimond wrote:
Now that we are in the home stretch of the longest election cycle in human history (no political opinion here), I realize that something is happening. We are being subjected to overly extended build-ups of events. It's taking a toll on our psyches.

Christmas, or what is now called the holiday season, is two months long. I cannot recall ever seeing so many Christmas ads on Halloween as I've seen this year. QVC has had their trees up for awhile. To me, ALL this advance build-up takes away from the special meanings of the events and holidays they represent. In other countries, the election cycle is under two months. Somehow they can get it done. Christmas season used to start right after Thanksgiving. Now we feel pressured to start shopping ASAP...or else. Or else what? I can tell you what all the hype has done to me. I have turned off the TV. I've stopped listening. My life is more peaceful as a result.

No one believes it's actually the Christmas season, but it is the shopping season to prep for Christmas, including gifts, decorations and craft making supplies. If you're shopping retail, especially online retail then yes you need to shop early. I already bought some Christmas gifts, I have mail them and I need time to inspect them, have time for possible returns and choosing something else and then time to mail it out. Mail is always slower November and December.

Personally, I'm not interested in running around a week or two before Christmas trying to get it all done and mailed and hope it shows up on time.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

cherry — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:57:30 GMT

I hear ya. By the time the event actually arrives I am sick of it. It was a lot more fun when Thanksgiving was the kick off to the Christmas shopping season

They used to have little spots on TV about Christmas , geared for the kids, and it was exciting

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

Jasmine19 — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:55:58 GMT

My mute button is wearing out.

Re: Everything Extended Endlessly

Kachina624 — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 15:30:33 GMT

I am numb about Christmas. When I hear it mentioned, it doesn't even register that it's a holiday coming up next month. I am in no way motivated to shop for gifts or decorations. Won't do much of either.

On the other hand, I'm totally stressed about this election. As someone said, it seems as though it has been going on for 5 years. That combined with the police shootings and the increase in crime have made this a very stressful year.

I'm sure the whole country will breathe a collective sigh of relief when the election is over.