Less Consumption, More Connection This Holiday Season

The moments I remember most from past Christmases aren’t the gifts. They’re the sleepy movie nights, the burnt cookies, the tree lightings with friends. Somewhere along the way, we traded that simplicity for overnight shipping and aesthetic gift wrapping, and honestly, we lost something in the process. 

It’s not a new or revolutionary message, but it’s an important one: Christmas needs to be less about consumption and more about appreciating the people around you. As TikTok floods your For You Page with infinite “[insert trendy adjective here] girl Christmas lists,” it’s worth pausing to ask what you actually need — not what promises instant gratification in the moment. 

It is alarming that society is so caught up in consumerism that we have to be told precisely what to buy, based on ideas pushed by social media influencers looking to profit from brand deals. 

We become so caught up in keeping up with the trends and matching the new, sought-after aesthetic that we lose sight not only of who we are and what we prefer, but also of how damaging our patterns and behaviors can be.  

I am sure most of us have been there. Throughout the year, there is always something you want to buy — a new top, a new bag, that infamously expensive digital camera — but when it comes to actually crafting that Christmas list, suddenly your mind goes blank. That should be a tell-tale sign that exorbitant consumerism isn’t actually fulfilling. If an item isn’t significant enough to stay on your mind, it probably doesn’t need to end up in your cart and add to the endless consumption cycle.

During the holidays, US households generate an estimated 25 percent more waste than usual, resulting in an additional 25 million tons. This cycle does not need to be perpetuated by excessive shopping and gift-giving. While it is nice and important to treat oneself and their friends and family, a line must be drawn between thoughtful holiday gifts and unnecessary, harmful materialistic consumption. Perhaps that gag gift that is only going to end up shoved in a closet, then inevitably piled onto a landfill, is not essential to the holiday spirit. What we think we might be giving, we are actually taking from our planet by contributing to so much harmful waste. 

Or perhaps that trendy top you want so bad is just that — trendy — and it will be thrown away in a month’s time. In short, we must think more critically about what we purchase and just how much of it we consume. Rather than buying a multitude of small products, many of which won’t last, think instead about investing in one big piece or item that will last for years to come. And if this seems too unreasonable, maybe then we must reflect on what we base our values and happiness on. 

The returns from online shopping during the 2019 holiday season generated five billion tons of landfill waste and produced as much carbon dioxide as three million cars driving for one year. Moreover, the process of returning unwanted items and potentially reselling them leads to 10 billion unnecessary transportation trips annually. This is why it is imperative to think before you buy. With the ongoing climate crisis, our planet does not need more pollution and emissions driven by society’s selfish, consumerist values. 

So, to spread the holiday spirit, and instead of maxing out your carts and credit cards, consider giving something that actually lasts: an experience, a thoughtful note, a thrifted find you know they’ll love, or simply dedicated time together. The memories made from a cozy baking night or a spontaneous winter outing will outlive any trending product. 

Ultimately, constantly trying to keep up — not just financially, but aesthetically — takes a toll. The pressure to have the perfect Christmas leaves many of us stressed, drained, and feeling like we’re falling short. The holidays shouldn’t feel like a performance. Nor should they be about buying whatever you can to fit in or feel on-trend. 

Again, we all know the importance of family and friends during the holiday season. It is preached to us incessantly through carols, movies, and probably your mom’s relentless texts. Yet, now, it is essential to actually act upon these ideals and foster a more sustainable, thoughtful, and intrinsically valuable holiday. The planet, and your ultimately less cluttered closets, will thank you.

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