As the Christmas season is in full swing, the pressure for consumers to purchase gifts for friends and family is at an all time high, as it is every year.
“If you do not purchase a new gift for (a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor), then you are an awful person.” This is the toxic mindset that capitalism has infected society with around the world, and it is easy to become manipulated with this consumerism. Christmastime is the best time to guilt consumers into purchases, and many people end up purchasing beyond their means. Not only is this affecting people’s livelihoods, but also it affects the environment with the amount of waste these goods produce. No good comes from the pressure to purchase.
We are indoctrinated in the US to buy. If you are not consuming, you are looked down on.
One of the worst manipulations of consumerism is the tie to personal validation and fulfillment to a purchase. “If you are feeling down, just buy something, you’ll feel better.” But it’s a short-lived serotonin boost and often what follows is the sinking reality that an unnecessary purchase was made that might stretch finances for actual necessities. People are struggling to get by, and purchasing a set of highly advertised headphones might make you feel better for that moment, but when the car registration comes, or the property tax bill arrives, and they are both exceedingly higher than the year before, that set of headphones becomes a liability and not something to brag about if the other bills cannot be paid. Trying to alleviate sorrow through a purchase does not heal that sorrow, it often makes greater problems then the good that it does.
I have purchased things that I did not need. I’m not proud of my own consumerism. I thought that if I bought this gift for a (family member or friend) that they would see how much I love them, but it never works that way. People that love you, love you for you without anything extra. It’s hard discovering that, but it is worth knowing the people in your life don’t need anything from you, but you. There were times when I was sad and bought clothes, or random stuff to make me feel better, but things never fill that void. The only person that can fill the void is yourself. No amount of gifts will make another person love you more. They either love you for your awesome self or they do not, but a gift does not and should not make a relationship or define a relationship. If you are feeling down, purchases will not make that sadness disappear. That sadness resurfaces until you address the issue and that takes introspection not avoidance with consumerism.
We have to break the cycle of consumerism in the US. It is unhealthy to teach people to purchase goods as a way of showing love or as a means of loving yourself. People are unable to pay bills, which is the current state of the American economy. We need to erase those connections between love and purchasing.
Make a change this Christmas season. Your finances and the environment will thank you.
Purchase items you need. Teach necessity purchasing vs excessive purchasing to your children if you have children. Help lessen the demands on the environment, when you purchase only things you need, this is a way of respecting the environment and understanding that not everything is renewable.
If you do buy gifts for people, buy them items they need.
Giving someone a gift does not mean you love someone. It just means you bought them something.
Make a gift. Spend time with people you love and care for. Do something for that person. These are ways of demonstrating love that does not cost anything, but demonstrates your feelings in a deeper way than a purchase.
This Christmas season:
Only purchase clothes if you need them. Purchase from a secondhand or vintage store before buying new. If you do need new clothing, purchase from a sustainable brand if you need new clothing.
Please refrain from buying electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers. Only purchase these electronics if they are needed. This directly affects the mining needed for these devices and the practices are cruel and deadly. Wars and genocide in Sudan and Congo are a result of the resources needed for these electronic devices.
Resell or donate all used clothing. Never throw out clothing. If something is damaged, that is a great use for a rag. To keep jeans lasting for decades, I have jeans that are over 20 years old, wash in cold and line dry out of the sun.
Make your gifts. You can make things for your loved ones that you crafted yourself, baked, or concocted out of love.
Gift the most precious gift of all- time. Make a dinner for you friend, family, or co-workers. Throw a game night. Take your friend out on a special outing that you both love.
Donate to a humanitarian organization in the name of a loved one.
If you really want to save money and be eco-friendly, do something for your loved ones. Offer your time and assistance to your friends and family. For instance, I plan on letting my neighbors know that I can help with any gardening needs. The absolute best gift is free babysitting to parents. If someone does not have children, offer to watch their pets for them anytime.
Please read and share these posts on sustainable Christmas ideas