Culture: IELTS Writing Task 2 question

It is often claimed that traditional festivals no longer mean what they once did because they have become occasions for shopping and spending. I partly agree: these celebrations are certainly more commercial than in the past, but I do not believe their deeper meaning has been lost.

The commercialisation of festivals is hard to ignore. In many countries, advertisements for a major holiday appear weeks or even months before the day itself, and shops fill their windows with decorations long before families have begun to think about the celebration. Television and social media are full of special sales, and people can feel pressure to buy expensive gifts in order to show their affection or avoid looking mean. For some families, the festive season brings more anxiety about money than joy, and it is understandable that critics see the occasion as having been taken over by consumer culture.

However, behind the advertising, much of the original purpose survives. Festivals remain one of the few times of year when relatives travel long distances to be together, and these family gatherings are often the moments that people remember most clearly. Religious services, traditional meals and local customs continue to be practised, and children still learn them from their parents and grandparents. Even the exchange of gifts, which is often criticised, can express real care when it is done thoughtfully; a simple present chosen with a particular person in mind carries meaning that has nothing to do with its price.

In conclusion, although businesses have turned many festivals into opportunities for profit, I do not think these celebrations have lost their significance. Ultimately, it is people rather than companies who decide what a festival means, and many families continue to treat these occasions as a time for connection rather than consumption.