With the holiday season in full swing, it’s easy to get lost in the madness of holiday shopping. Every commercial tells you to, “Buy! Buy! Buy!” Your list for gifts may seem never-ending, which has the ability to turn the joy of the season into discontentment. Buying gifts for those you love is a good thing. No matter what holiday you’re celebrating, it’s important to remember that retailers profit from your holiday spirit by turning it into a willingness to spend money.
We’ve all gotten caught up in the excitement, sometimes overspending throughout the season, which means we can all benefit from a little conscious consumerism.
BUY! BUY! BUY!
According to a study from the American Research Group, Inc, the average American spent $900 dollars on gifts in 2006 and $929 in 2016.
Along with the increase in spending, people tend to feel more stressed during the season. According to the American Psychological Association, lower and middle income individuals have higher levels of stress due to lack of time, lack of money, and increased commercialism.
Learnvest found that 74% percent of Americans admitted to falling into debt of more than $1,100 after a holiday (holiday in this instance refers to vacation but many American’s face the same problems during the season as a whole.)
This frenzied spending doesn’t just occur in America nor does it only occur this time of year. Around the world, retailers market their products as a solution for happiness. In Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, they celebrate White Day on March 14. White Day was specifically created to boost marshmallow sales. On the first Sunday of August in India, they celebrate Friendship Day. Campaigns and deals for flower vendors, restaurants, stores and e-commerce start weeks before in hopes of boosting consumerism. Other holidays include Singles Day in China, Click Frenzy in Australia, Labor Day in America, KFC Christmas in Japan, and many more.
While current prices on goods may be low, there is always the next holiday sale right around the corner: Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, Easter, Memorial Day, etc.
It’s no wonder the holiday season can easily turn into a stressful time.
BEING A CRITICAL CONSUMER
When it comes to media consumption, it’s always important to be vigilant. Especially now where retailers are putting forth their strongest efforts to compete in the holiday shopping rush. At the Message, we help young people critically assess and evaluate the messages they receive on a daily basis. Typical media literacy questions to ask include:
Who is producing this message?
What values are represented or left out of it?
Why are they creating this specific message?
Is it directed towards me or someone else?
The glitter and sparkles of the season can make it even more difficult to actively engage in conscious consumption. Ponder these questions the next time you watch a red and yellow M&M argue over whether or not Santa exists.
Gift giving can be extremely rewarding. Think about ways you can be a more conscious consumer this season. As you’re shopping, think of quality over quantity. What gift would really put a smile on the face of its recipient? Giving back to your community during the holiday season can decrease your spending as well. Whether it’s donating your time, money, or just shopping local. Boosting your community during this season will have a ripple effect throughout the year. Send a thank you card to your loved ones after the holiday so they know their gifts truly meant something to you.
TED TALKS THAT INSPIRE CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM
In case you need a little more inspiration for conscious consumerism, here are a few Ted Talks that should do the trick.
Founder of TreeHuggar.com and LifeEdited, Graham Hill, asks: “Can having less stuff lead to more happiness?” During the holiday season, it can seem like more gifts for others and more presents for yourself will bring you happiness. Graham reminds us that more isn’t always better.
Author Malcolm Gladwell explores the nature of choice and happiness in his 2004 Ted Talk. Is there a way to create a product that makes the maximum number of people happy? When commercials tell you “This is the best product!” or “This is the most expensive product!” who is truly the judge of that? You, not them. As Gladwell says, “A better mustard! A more expensive mustard! A mustard of more sophistication and culture and meaning. And Howard looked to that and said, “That’s wrong!” Mustard does not exist on a hierarchy. Mustard exists, just like tomato sauce, on a horizontal plane. There is no good mustard or bad mustard. There is no perfect mustard or imperfect mustard. There are only different kinds of mustards that suit different kinds of people”
Designer Jessi Arrington makes a case for secondhand shopping that reduces impact on the environment and your wallet. Maybe a thrift store isn’t your thing but what about an Antique shop or a do-it-yourself gift?
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As the young Cindy Lu Who once said, “Everybody seems too kerbobbled. Isn’t this just a little superfluous?” No matter what holiday you’re celebrating it’s important to remember that gift-giving and receiving shouldn’t be superfluous. We can all be better conscious consumers during a season that is supposed to be joyous and filled with love.
