In predominantly Christian countries, Christmas has become the most economically significant holiday of the year. An enormous number of customs with either secular, religious, or national aspects surround Christmas, varying from country to country. Gift-giving is a near-universal part of Christmas celebrations.
(PRWEB) December 24, 2005 -- In predominantly Christian countries, Christmas has become the most economically significant holiday of the year. An enormous number of customs with either secular, religious, or national aspects surround Christmas, varying from country to country. Gift-giving is a near-universal part of Christmas celebrations. In many countries, businesses, schools, and communities have Christmas parties and dances during the several weeks before Christmas Day.
Christmas is typically the largest annual stimulus for the economies of celebrating nations. Christmas-time sales increase dramatically in almost all retail areas and shops introduce new products as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies. In the United States, the Christmas shopping season now begins on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Christmas Day is the only day that some shops and other businesses are ever closed. The economic impact of Christmas continues well after the holiday, with Christmas sales and New Year's sales, when stores sell off excess inventories.
Most economists argue, however, that Christmas produces a deadweight loss associated with the surge in gift-giving. This loss is calculated as the difference between what the gift giver spent on the item and what the gift receiver would have paid for the item. It is estimated that in 2001 Christmas resulted in a $4 billion deadweight loss as a result of the gift-giving. Most people, though, think it is well worth it.
“We tend to think of Christmas as the most wonderful time of the year,” says Dr. Sam Speron, plastic surgeon, skin care expert and consumer advocate. “However, Christmas means something different to everyone. There is much that pulls the world apart today, but Christmas is a time for recognizing and celebrating the positive things we share in life, in our unity and our diversity!”
From the world of neaclear, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
Feel free to check out more information at www.neaclear.com
###
|
