“Too much, too early” is what I’ve been saying about the commercialization of Christmas since I was in high school I think – A long time! 🙂 And one of the unfortunate things about Costa Rica is the adoption of this Christmas Commercialization starting at Halloween. I have not bothered to photograph the many Christmas trees in the supermarket and smallest little shop to the malls and American chain stores this year, not to mention in the Public Hospital, city halls, etc. It is everywhere here now – too much like the United States which I guess is where some of our businessmen learn their trade! 🙂 We even have “Black Friday” Sales here even though Thursday is not a Thanksgiving Holiday here! Explain that! 🙂
I’m so glad that for my Christmas Week I am looking forward to a week in the forests of Braulio Carrillo National Park. 🙂
The featured photo today is of the welcome sign right here in my neighborhood, Roca Verde, which some will see as wonderful seasonal cheer, and sort of is, while others will see it as cheap commercialization. Lord help Costa Rica not to become too Americanized! But keep the spirit of Jesus in Christmas which I commend the Catholic Church here for celebrating Jesus so well at Christmas (even at home)! While I am closest to God now in nature and will commune with Him in the forest again this year for Christmas. But I will have an American-style Thanksgiving Dinner with like-minded expat friends here this Thursday. So, Happy Holidays! 🙂
Christmas Previous Years – I’m Not a Scrooge! 🙂
DECEMBER 21-27, 2018 – Si Como No Resort, Manuel Antonio (Photo Gallery)
DECEMBER 19, 2018 – Christmas in Costa Rica
DECEMBER 17, 2018 – Christmas Celebrations in Atenas 2018
DECEMBER 2017 – Christmas Week Tambor Bay (Photo Gallery)
DECEMBER 1, 2017 – Christmas Trees in the Mall
DECEMBER 20, 2017 – Small Town Commercial Christmas Decorations
DECEMBER 17, 2017 – Festival de La Luz – Christmas Lights Parade
DECEMBER 23-27, 2016 – Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiqui (photo gallery)
DECEMBER 26, 2015 – Christmas in San Jose Photos
DECEMBER 24, 2015 – Christmas Eve Anniversary! One Year in Costa Rica!
DECEMBER 14, 2015 – Too Many Christmas Activities! 🙂
NOVEMBER 12, 2015 – Disgustingly Like the States (Christmas before Halloween!)
My Photo CHRISTMAS CARDS from Costa Rica (photo gallery)
And for my favorite TV ad here commercializing family life for Christmas, see this hilarious short video ad:
Or try out 5 Spanish Christmas Songs that Are Not “Feliz Navidad.”
So yeah, Happy Holidays!
But it is still too much, too early! 🙂
“These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar.”
―
¿Pura Vida?
Charlie, Even though it’s early… Merry Christmas! And for tomorrow…Happy Thanksgiving!
Just a thought- I spent last night from 4:30 to 8:30 at the zoo in pouring rain. Celebrating Zoolumination which for us is the zoo’s version of the Chinese Festival of Lights. Very impressive! Even in the rain. Think of you fondly.
Kathy Kester, Docent
Thanks Kathy! — And I miss you and the zoo but would not live anywhere else but Costa Rica now! 🙂 The Zoolumination looked great on the website and I would love to see it, but will settle for the illumination of stars while at Braulio Carillo National Park this Christmas! Have a merry one! 🙂