Santa mediated magically between parent and child--between the buyer and the recipient of the gifts. His presence was what took the gift out of the realm of commerce--in the eyes of parents, perhaps, as well as children. To phrase this in a more contemporary fashion, we might say that Santa 'mystified' consumption. He also mystified production and distribution.
-Stephen Nissenbaum
Select a background
More quotes by Stephen Nissenbaum
Popular Authors
A curated listing of popular authors.