Home Invasion

Originally published at American Family. Please leave any comments there.

We celebrated christmas at my parent’s house yesterday.  It was a lovely day, but after the presents were opened, I started to feel like I was being held hostage. 

I have made no secret about the fact that I believe Disney is Evil.  I may have made a fatal flaw when I allowed M to go to Disneyworld with my parents this fall.  I gave in because A) I was tired from taking care of two kids, B) I thought she would enjoy it and C) my parents funded the whole shebang.  

M had no particular interest in Disney or princesses before the trip.  She had a small spike in interest after it, but it seemed to slowly fade back to the previous non-interest level.   Yesterday, though, it seems as though the brain sucking marketing machine that is Disney had its way with us, when we weren’t expecting it.

From my parents and other relatives M received:

• A Mickey Mouse/ Disney branded necklace
• A Princesses charm bracelet
• A Cinderella dress up dress
• Princess crown & Jewelry
• Princess jewelry box
• two Disney Christmas tree ornaments
• A princess toy cell phone

She also received a number of other toys, books and clothes, but the sheer volume of Disney crap bothers me the most.

First of all, this is way too many toys for a four year old to receive.  Second, they are all completely encrusted with Disney imagery.  Third, most if it is cheap CRAP. 

I do not want this junk in my house.  I do not want the fucked up Disney princess messages to get into my daughters’ heads.   I do not want M to alter her normal imaginative play into the yucky dress-up-like-a-princess-and-look-pretty stupidity—and even if she wanted to play that, why does the princess outfit have to have a Disney-branded head on it?

I know that many of you reading this blog probably have no problem with Disney crap.  Bully for you.  I *DO* have a problem with it.  I have a problem with the pervasive marketing that is aimed at younger and younger children.  I have a problem with the stupid a-prince-will-save-you message in the Princess movies.  I have a problem with the seeming necessity of having a princess’ head as a mascot on every freaking thing they sell.

I thought I had made my wishes about limiting the Disney crap clear when they went to Disneyworld.  I told my parents that M could only bring home TWO things as souveniers.  They complied.   After much thought and deliberation, M chose Mickey Mouse crocs and a pegasus stuffed horse.  (Notice that she chose nothing princessy on her own.)   Apparently, my family thought Christmas would give them free reign to shower her with all the junk they wanted to give her, but I wouldn’t allow in the house. 

I think I will see how long it takes for all the Disney stuff to get “lost”.  Maybe when I find these items laying around the house, I will put them away and see how long it takes M to even notice they are gone.  If she doesn’t notice, maybe I will just donate them or give them away.