Tikkabik

My pathological loathing of Christmas absolutely hit the roof this morning when Bonnie told me that somehow we'd ended up with an inequity of gifts to distribute to the children, and that the course correction would require us to buy more stuff for one of them. I probably didn't handle it as well as I should have, because now we're having an argument about what to get each other, or, more precisely, whether to get each other anything at all.

The obvious solution is to withhold some of what we've gotten for the other two until birthdays or times for special rewards, or to return it all together, which is what I'm pushing for.

There's an ad for Macy's department stores that, near as I can tell, is completely serious in its intent: People are wandering through the store with doe-eyed looks of wonder as they see department signs showing them peace, love, goodwill, etc. -- all of them on tops of piles of toys and other goods you can buy there.

That's the message we get: Consume and you'll feel better. Buy things because that's the spirit of the season. What I find incredible is that this is a serious marketing message for Macy's, apparently. Because it almost seems like a Terry Gilliam-like satire.

Basically, it's pandering to the same response we learn as small children when we hurt ourselves. Skin your knee? Have a cookie, you'll feel better. OK, you got your shot -- time for a lollipop. Have a lousy year? Make sure to get that special someone a diamond ring. Feeling low? Buy a new Jaguar. It'll all make you feel better, as long as you keep buying.