OPINION • 21
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021 to become a holiday of gift-giving (thus buying), which indicates commodification. Although the number of practicing Christians is going down, Christmas continues to be celebrated. It can be said that the commodification of Christmas, which has desecularized it, has made it more accessible. This accessibility has allowed it to maintain popularity, if not grow. For example, my co-workers (at my old part-time job) and I used to do a Secret Santa gift exchange of small gifts. Of this group, I think I was one of the few that celebrated Christmas at home. Therefore, it can be said that Christmas has become a commodified holiday. If Christmas is so commodified, and thus accessible, then it can be easily argued that it has become a secular holiday. After all, the Christian population is increasingly less religious and young people beyond Christianity are also increasingly
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Christmas has become a secular holiday, here’s why CONOR COLUMB OPINION COLUMNIST
As November comes to an end, many of us are thinking about the holiday season: stores are playing Christmas music, it’s cold and snowy, and children are writing up their wishlists. When one thinks of the original theme of Christmas, that is, the birth of Jesus Christ, this music, snowy weather, and wishful thinking are not related to it. As young people are increasingly irreligious, yet Christmas is commodified and not waning in popularity,
I believe that Christmas is a secular holiday. According to Statistics Canada, approximately 64 per cent of Ontario’s population is Christian; 23 per cent of Ontarians are irreligious; the remaining 13 per cent are of different religions. This seems like a large Christian population, but this data is not clear. Many people identify with Christianity as their religion, yet are not practicing Christians themselves. I find myself to be in this situation. I was baptized as a Christian, but am not necessarily affiliated with the religion today.
I am not the only one who is like this. Since many people are, it means that this data demands nuance. Christmas remains a significant holiday, though. It can be considered one of the most commodified. As we are already seeing with many malls and shops, decorations are going up and sales are being promoted. The imagery of Christmas has shifted from the Birth of Christ to Santa Claus and the North Pole. I am not trying to suggest that this is problematic, but rather, that this shift has allowed for Christmas
If Christmas is so commodified and thus accessible, then it can be easily argued that it has become a secular holiday.
irreligious. Despite this, Christmas is still a huge market for businesses to sell goods and services and the holiday itself continues to be celebrated. Does this mean it is becoming a secular holiday? I think so. As an irreligious person, I find that Christmas can still be thought of as an important holiday. What does one do during Christmas? Before the COVID-19 pandemic, one might answer this
question by saying that they would have family over to exchange gifts and share a meal. Although I do not participate in the religious aspects of Christmas, I still hold the values of loving family and friends, showing my gratitude to these loved people.
Therefore, it can be said that Christmas has become a commodified holiday.
This means that I can still think about Christmas as I have always thought of it, which is the secularized version of the holiday that has arisen in the last several decades. Is it in bad faith? Certainly not. After all, giving gifts is (within reason) a way of showing love and gratitude to those I want to express such feelings. Moreover, this is fairly consistent with the religious idea of the holiday without disrespecting the religion, or religious people. To the irreligious person, I would say to treat Christmas as a celebration of connections. Whether it is our family, significant others, or friends, giving them a gift (even if it is a small one) shows a certain level of care for one another — at least within a capitalist concept. This does not mean that I am saying to buy big over the top gifts, in many ways, that just reflects one’s competitive nature. My friends and I often do a very small gift exchange that is more personal than something I simply want, which is less personal. During the pandemic, we have been distanced, which has led to isolation and caution when people come together. Christmas this way perhaps is healthy to remind us of the importance of others in our lives.
Could Spider-Man: No Way Home fan theories ruin it? MADALYN MOSTACCI CORD CONTRIBUTOR
Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home is set to release in theaters this December. Fans are undoubtedly more excited than ever, as the film’s trailer accumulated an impressive 355.5 million views within the first 24 hours. However, could this extensive fan excitement serve Spider-Man: No Way Home negatively? Frankly, it could. It’s been nearly three years since we’ve seen our favourite web slinger in his own solo movie. We last left Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland in some hot water as his identity was revealed to the public along with the implication that Spider-Man is an anti-hero. Spider-Man has always had a dedicated fan base, even when Peter Parker was strictly portrayed in
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2-D. That die-hard fan base, mixed with the sheer anticipation this upcoming movie is accumulating, has caused elaborate fan theories to arise. Some rather hopeful theories include the appearance of Spider-Man’s notorious villain group, The Sinister Six, in the film. There’s also the speculation that Peter Parker’s best friend, Ned Leeds will take on the role of Hobgoblin, another historic Marvel
supervillain. Yet, perhaps the most widespread theory regarding Spider-Man: No Way Home is the hope that previous Spider-Man actors, Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man Series) and Toby Maguire (Spider-Man Trilogy), will reprise their roles and appear alongside Holland in the movie. This theory is not far-fetched at all. Marvel has been exploring
the existence of the multiverse throughout their films, so essentially anything could happen — including the co-existence of three Spider-Men. As amazing as having all three Spider-Men in Spider-Man: No Way Home would be, Marvel has yet to confirm any theories. While director Jon Wattis, in an interview with Empire Magazine has only stated, “We’re trying to be ambitious … It’s Spider-Man: Endgame,” producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal have been quiet. During an interview on The Tonight Show, host Jimmy Fallon slyly mentioned how photos have been circulating of Maguire and Garfield on the set of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Garfield replied with a swift, “I’m not sure about that.” Even with rumors continually being denied, fans will not take no for an answer. Spidey’s fan base
still believes all their No Way Home hopes and dreams will come true. While fan theories are thoroughly thought out and completely plausible, it’s unlikely Marvel will meet everybody’s expectations. Unfortunately, when expectations are not met, negative reviews, low scores and overall audience disenjoyment will occur. Much like the let down fans experienced following Marvel’s WandaVision series finale. Similarly, fans had created extensive theories about the series finale of WandaVision, only to be upset when their expectations were not met. This caused bad reviews to arise following WandaVision’s trail of positive fan feedback. If Garfield and Maguire don’t end up swinging across the theater screen, once eager fans will be returning home disappointed; and that is of no fault but their own.
