Dear Santa: I am writing to you, not to ask for anything, rather to offer an apology of sorts.
It’s not that I have been bad or anything like that, at least not intentionally, but I have failed to take a stand against what has become a continual consumer degradation of your image and reputation. I mean seriously, have you seen some of the products out there that bear your image! It is downright embarrassing. You may want to consider suing for defamation of character.
The array of tinfoil covered brown crayon chocolate bonbons, plastic effigies and miscellaneous holiday items with your face on them simply seem extra creepy this year. Many sort of look like you, but the expression on your face looks pained. Considering the lack of quality and care that goes into these items I can’t say as I blame you! It’s not just cheap products though that the Big Eastern Syndicate has your face on; you are also appearing on more and more radio and TV ads.
The most disturbing thing I have heard this season thus far is a radio spot advertising drug paraphernalia for some stores in Edmonton. The advertisement has your elves seeking to convince you to bring rolling papers, pipes and other such ridiculous items as gifts for people. Yep, that’s right big guy, they have you, dear ole Saint Nick, peddling this hooey over the airwaves. Radio spots like this should be criminal let alone promoting a fascination with the drug culture. What is this … Colorado?
Santa, do you recall 1965 when Charlie Brown was helping his sister Sally write a letter to you? She wanted to simplify gift giving by having you just send money – remember “10s and 20s.” That probably seemed like a lot back then and even though Linus helped to set the record straight as to the true meaning of Christmas, we still are not even close to understanding the true reason for the season. We, like Sally, are still self-absorbed in getting versus giving, in consuming versus contemplating and in getting good deals versus extending good will.
Santa, I too am guilty of failing to see your generous spirit. Perhaps, I have come to take you for granted? I am so secure in my comfortable existence that I have become complacent and accepting of the swill that goes through the till with your name or face on it.
Remember when getting a treat was something that happened every once in a while? We are too impatient for that now. We treat ourselves daily. From a consumer sense it is like Christmas every day if we want it to be. Sadly, Santa, you have become normalized to the point that you are no longer viewed as special. If anything, it would appear that you are being exploited without just cause.
Your image appears annually now, usually prior to Halloween, and everyone tries to peddle their weary wares on your coattail. It is info-whelming to say the least – not to mention sickening. So when I eat a marshmallow effigy of your head and chase it with a cola also bearing your face on the can, I will take time to contemplate that you are truly a great person who, for some reason, is unable to voice your concerns and frustrations over how far gone Christmas consumerism has become. Let Lucy have her pink aluminum tree – as for me – I think Linus has it right! Christmas is truly all about a child and the gift he is to us. Santa, please let today’s children see that this is why you come each year … to remind us all of that little child in each of us.
Tim Cusack is a writer, educator and member of the naval reserve.
