Though the Christmas music started plaguing us weeks ago in stores, it is officially holiday season. The Thanksgiving turkey is still settling in our stomachs. Family is lingering around our homes, poking into our things and prodding into our personal lives. And the sparkling advertisements have exploded across every device (along with some aggressive campaigning from Michael Bloomberg…which seems very forced).
But this Christmas is a little different…things have changed for myself and others who are tuned in to environmental issues, clashes of rampant consumerism, and the mass commercialization of just about anything. But after years of reflection and study, I have created order from chaos. Outlined before you are three primary considerations that are crucial in navigating the chaos of Christmas gift giving.
Life, Post KonMari
Last year, I engorged on the philosophy of Marie Kondo. If you haven’t heard of her, you probably still have some sanity left. She’s a Japanese cleaning consultant who sparked a revolution by publishing books on tidying clutter and how it can change your life. She compares customs in Japanese culture, engages with Buddhist influences, and encourages everyone to only keep things that bring you joy.
Books falling from towering piles. Clothes crumpled and stuffed into dark corners. Jewelry still in packages. Gifted candles covered in dust. Games still wrapped tight in their packaging. My brain reeled: TOO MUCH STUFF. So naturally I tossed off everything of value to the Goodwill and the rest in the garbage (I suppose contributing to the earth crisis…but more on that later).
How much stuff do you need? How much of it brings you actual happiness? When buying for others, consider how your present will impact them. Are you just buying something that the recipient will most likely dispose of when they return home? And most importantly, did the person ASK for the gift you are giving?
“The Earth is Dying, Yo”- Everyone
You couldn’t ignore this message if you hid under a rock. It’s impossible to escape the message that we (mankind) have killed the earth and every single individual is responsible for it. At least, that’s what we’re programmed to adhere to.
While I doubt my carbon footprint has intentionally killed the planet beneath my feet, myself–times millions– makes up a good percentage of damage to the environment. By watching how many single-use plastics I consume and how much plastic waste I produce and purchase, I have a better idea of the crisis at hand. If only the mega corporations contributing to the crisis could do the same…
Evolving from KonMari’s “throw-everything-you-own-in-the-trash phase”, I took it one step further: thinking about what I use BEFORE I buy it. If you want a fatter wallet and a more secure bank account, this is definitely the way to go. It also applies to the mass consumerism that comes with Christmas.
We are encouraged to purchase multiples of similar items without considering their future use or how disposing of them may effect the environment. Since a majority of the items we use everyday are created with plastic…you get where this is going. Plastic = bad. Lots of plastic that is discarded ends up in a landfill or the ocean or the stomach of a sperm whale. If you have kids, look at their toys. How many of them are plastic? How many are actually used? What happens when they are thrown away?
Facebook Knows What You Want. So Does Instagram. And Everything Else.
Perfectly curated advertising experiences were a gift that no one asked for. “Gee, I wish the ads I viewed are more relevant to my viewing experiences”. Someone in a boardroom must have suggested that a lonely consumer uttered these words with his last breath as his mouse hung listlessly from his arthritic hands…
Now we all must suffer the online cookies and interconnected advertisements linked with our viewing history. This has a few drawbacks for us peasants. Young social media users are increasingly unable to identify when products are being geared towards them. They also can’t differentiate between fake news and legitimate sources. This is the exact position that companies want their customers in: slightly overwhelmed and pleased with the idea that they can purchase something.
So you steer away from the ads and read an attractive article on a product that interest you. Surprise! It was an ad too! Companies pay several thousands of dollars to entice journalists to create advertisements disguised as a written piece. So…the real question is did you want that item before you saw an ad for it? Before it appeared in your feed or a smiling micro-influencer or a fond celebrity recommended it?
Another recent ad development is the rise of software created to track your eye movements. This information would be used and sold to companies in order to evaluate what ads you are viewing and why. Then probably used to berate you with more ads. The future is fun!
Long Story Short…
- Will I have to dispose of this gift later, after it outgrows its use?
- What kind of impact will my product make on the environment once it outlives its use?
- Did I want this product before I saw an ad for it or was I possibly tricked into thinking I need it?
Think wisely about what you are purchasing and where you are purchasing it from. How is your purchasing affecting others? Will you have to do without something in order to pay for exorbitant Christmas expectations enforced by social media and television? Does everyone’s Christmas HAVE to involve Apple products? Does every child HAVE to have at least two dozen presents of assorted prices and sizes tucked aesthetically under the tree for the ‘gram?
Suggestions?
If you’ve read this far, congratulations! You haven’t felt too ashamed to finish reading. I’m not trying to shame anyone. In this day and age, we can all accept differences and rejoice in the joy that others find in their own decisions. If something in this article resonated with you, that’s great! Below are some of the things I’m personally changing this holiday season in order to help my millennial budget and the pathos associated with modern consumption.
- Instead of costly, trinket-like gifts: donations to charities. Seems cheesy but hopefully the recipient will be thankful that you donated for their sake. I will be looking at a few animal organizations for smaller family gifts.
- Instead of purchasing cheap Amazon gifts, make something! Handmade gifts are sweet for many people! (So cheesy to say out loud but so true…)
- Instead of buying gifts at all, sponsor a child in another country or your own. I use Compassion International but there are plenty of awesome organizations out there that let you write letters to who you are sponsoring. This would be a good option if you have kids and want to teach them writing skills and about kids in other parts of the world.
- Instead of excessive amounts of single-use wrapping paper, try using newspaper that can be recycled afterwards. Or try reusable gift bags. They’re not as aesthetic but it will make you feel better to know you’re not contributing to the growing pollution problem.
- Instead of shopping aimlessly, try making a list of the things you need to purchase prior to actually heading out. Don’t feel compelled to go shopping just because everyone else is shopping. Save gas and stay home to play video games.
- Instead of buying clothing for the guys in your life, try asking them what they want first. Men rarely wear gifted items and they will have to be donated later on (probably…just from my experience).
- Instead of excessive gifting for significant others, focus on gifts that involve spending time with them. Creating memories at a museum with purchased tickets or perhaps a weekend in a nearby beach town (I live near the coast) would make a greater gift than a gaming console that will be updated in a few months.
Note: There is no sponsored content within this article. All suggestions mentioned I have personally used and enjoyed.
Story Quest Decoded 