Every year I notice the Christmas, Easter and Halloween decorations seem to appear in our stores earlier and earlier. It seems like the day after they have torn down one holiday display they are onto the next. The medias role in publicity has played a massive role in transforming these long standing traditional festivities into marketing ploys. Where people would once celebrate with loved ones and appreciate the simplicity of each others company we are now expected to plan lavish, expensive and extravagant occasions. Take Valentines day for instance, this day was supposed to be an opportunity to express your love and appreciation for another person, the media has transformed it into a day where love is measured in generosity of expensive gifts. Stores are inundates with chocolates, cards and flowers for people to purchase as a token of their love and affection. Is this really the way we want to be measuring love, with materialistic goods? The advertisements on TV and the radio prime you to think that without the biggest and best food, decorations, cards and the perfect accompanying outfit you are inadequate, it has almost become a competition, a showcase, a display designed to impress the rest of society. Has it all gone too far?