Thanks, Froggie...You are so right. I visited a website recently which showed an evil-looking Santa, with the caption, "I want you to SPEND~!" How true. I too keep Christmas simple. Last Christmas, I only bought my twin grandsons, age 3 then, a few small toys. I could see their disappointment, since I was in the other grandparents' house which was full of expensive gadgets and toys.

Also, in teaching, I have been doing collage with my students. A female student brought me a bunch of her magazines. All were teen female magazines, like "Cosmo Girl,: Seventeen, Teen People," etc. I have used the magazines for colored paper and words, but flipping thru them, I'm appalled at the images: hunky boys without shirts and low-cut jeans; girls in sexy clothing and too much makeup! The articles are supposed to be some form of "advice," but lend themselves to confusion about adolescence. It's sad.
It's a losing battle.
Patty