“My response was that this outlook saw gift giving as a purely economic exchange…”
How so? The response to the reporter’s query is incongruous. To be fair to the reporter I would
ask that the man and woman in O.Henry’s tale both be underage gift givers and then we would
have to insert a second pair of people who would be directly responsible for the delivery of the watch fob and
the hair comb. And then we would have to place this new pair under a special kind of duress. The kind of duress
that is only known by parents who are trying to meet the practical needs of their children and finding it difficult
to do so. And under these conditions just what sort of advertiser’s belly kick could be administered (an outside
party not represented in O.Henry’s tale) before decent people cry foul.
As previous blog posts suggest Mr. Gottlieb has an interest in seeing the toy industry make money.
Possibly this is skewing his views of what is healthy and appropriate for children and families. I read more Dickens
here than O.Henry, for Mr. Gottlieb wants to get gold out of Mr. Cratchet’s pockets even if it means targeting Tiny
Tim to do so!

When I see a BMW commercial I'm not going out and buy something that is outside of my means. I realize that my income dictates the more modest and affordable brands. I believe foundation on our childrens expectations lie with us as parents. If ypu are overweight do you blame fast food for advertising? Look we live in a society of different levels of means ans whether poor, middle class, rich or wealthy it is up to you to set the limits. My children have had all types of christmas, from lavish where a few thousand was spent, as well as sparring where we were only able to spend a couple of hundred on all three kids. Advertising does not dictate what I am going to buy and it also helps teach a basic learning experience my children will need to be able to survive not only christmas, but life in general. That lesson is "