It Would Be A December to Remember

This thought occurred to me this past holiday season: Who gives someone a car for Christmas? A lot of the commercials that spring up every Christmas season are those car commercials with amazing deals. They’re like, “Get a car now for that special someone because we’re never again going to have a deal like this, so seriously, but it for them now.”

But then 2 weeks later in the new year, they all of a sudden have an even better deal than before. Maybe a good $1,000 cheaper than the price before. And if you had bought someone a car (but really, who does?) you’re like “Dang! I should have waited!”

Again, that’s not the real problem. The problem is you’re BUYING someone a car as a gift.

I mean if this is the big gift, then what kind of presents precede this? An iPad? A Wii? A 3D TV? A lifetime membership to Netflix? A Segway? Some really expensive jewelry? I mean you have to have SOMETHING else. The car is great and all. But there needs to be build-up. So already you’re dropping like almost fifty grand if you intend on getting a car for someone.

The next problem: I know other car companies have done this promo before, where they get someone a car, but the only ones I can recall from this past year are the Lexus commercials:

And Lexus’ don’t come cheap. That’s a pretty hefty penny. So in order to make this happen, you really need to be Mr. Moneybags. To be able to drop that much money that fast is insane. Yes, I’m sure the 1% who has the money to buy someone a car is also watching How I Met Your Mother, because it is a really funny show, but the majority of people who watch TV are the middle and lower classes because they’re trying to escape the reality of their own credit and other miscellaneous money problems by involving themselves in the adventure of finding Ted’s wife.

So let’s say you get sucked in to buying a car for someone. What you’re really doing is saying, “Merry Christmas, dear, I got this car for you…it’s gonna cost $476 a month for the next 7 years…I love you THAT much.” Because again, who of the 99% can honestly drop over twenty grand at the drop of a hat? Not I!

Another problem with these commercials is that there’s no fun in unwrapping the car. It’s just there in the driveway. With a bow on it. Yea, the bow’s nice, but wouldn’t a big box just be AWESOME?!? And not only is it sitting there in the driveway with it’s puny little bow on it, but snow is falling. Oh my gosh. A white Christmas. How perfect. This is exactly how it will be when you buy your loved one a car. There will be no snow on the car. There will be no trace of the tires in the snow as you drove it up the driveway. It’s pristine…the dealership just has magical powers that allow it to deliver your car in your driveway on Christmas morning without disturbing the snow. Because they don’t have their own loved ones that they just bought a car for to set up picture perfect in their driveway. Why don’t we be realistic? Not everyone has a driveway. At least not all of the people who are viewing this commercial. So they should be showing scenes of people outside their apartment complexes, to make it more relatable. Just saying…

The only saving grace is that Lexus got a little progressive in one of their commercials this year. Instead of the husband (or male partner) buying the car for his wife (or female partner), it was the other way around. The woman surprised the man. When I saw that I was like “WHOA! She must have a really great job…or she moonlights in the moonlight.” Not to hate at all, but the image was just a little abrupt for me. Not saying that women aren’t succeeding in the work force and don't have the means to buy their significant other an car, it just isn’t a regular sight yet. It takes some time to adjust to. Like adjusting to these things:

• Finding a radio station in a city or region you’re unfamiliar with. It may take you a while, but you’ll find one you like eventually...
• Eventually learning that the English you learned before getting off the boat is not realy the English we speak in America
• Adjusting the driver’s seat in your car, you know how it’s not until after 4 years that you finally get the right distance from the steering wheel/pedals, the right degree of lean-age, and if your car comes equipped with it, how much back support to give yourself.
• Lack of sleep from having a child. You learn why your parents can function on 4 or 5
• Wearing in a new pair of jeans. I mean they aren’t your favorite jeans the first couple wears.
• Switching from a PC to a Mac. It’s difficult at first but then you thank yourself for making the transition.
• Getting a new phone. You may not be able to text without looking for like a good month or two, but then you’re pro!
• Adjusting to the fact that Drake can actually walk. (I’m still adjusting to this)

Either way I give Lexus kudos for being progressive. What I don’t give them kudos for is the plausibility there is to outright buy someone a car. I wish I could get the stats on how many cars are bought brand-new off the lot as a Christmas present. If you, the reader, received a brand new car for Christmas, please comment below.

Hopefully I can find a significant other who will buy me a Lexus for Christmas!