What ever happened to Christmas? Historically deemed as the most wonderful time of the year, people find comfort in hot cocoa and ice skating.
However, many modern Americans now find themselves stressed during the holiday season from the societal expectations of gift giving, socialization, and the need for a “cookie cutter Christmas.” But what caused this, and how can it be resolved?
The anxieties from Christmas time can be traced to the increase of consumerism for the average American. Consumerism has been around for ages, but by the end of the first Industrial Revolution in the 1840’s, “marketers began to see Christmas as a prime opportunity to sell goods,” according to the Yorktown Sentry.
By the end of WWI, consumerism became commonplace, as basic security was granted to most U.S. citizens and they were “fueled by the deprivation of the Great Depression and the rationing of the wartime years.” Once people’s basic needs were met, jealousy of others’ extravagant purchases grew as marketers began to expand their target audience as “necessities of all classes,” according to the MIT press.
By the 1980s the pressure to have the “perfect Christmas” became a stressor in nearly every American household.
So what can you do as a consumer this Christmas season to maximize the spirit and avoid the stress and overconsumption that has become typical for the American Christmas? Here are three ideas to keep in mind this Christmas season.
The first is remembering it is the thought that counts. One way to incorporate this into your Christmas season is making a homemade gift. For example, you can bake them their favorite winter dessert, make them a card or ornament, or give them Polaroid pictures of times spent together. These personal touches enhance the quality of the gift.
Also with this first idea, remember quality over quantity. You do not need a designer brand, there are many just as nice alternatives for a more accessible price tag.
The second idea ties into choice of brand and it is celebrating sustainably. You don’t have to stop doing Christmas traditions or gift giving, but there are intentional choices to benefit both yourself and the environment.
Buy from sustainable brands and do some research before you make a purchase. Many brands appear to be sustainable and greenwash their products but often test on animals, use harmful chemicals, or use excess packaging.
In addition, consider donating your old items before Christmas. Doing this can help clear out clutter and help those less fortunate. It also helps to upcycle items you otherwise would have not used or thrown away while additionally helping others in need.
The third and final idea is to start celebrating early. There are many reasons why this is beneficial besides the fact that people who celebrate earlier tend to be happier people.
For one, it gives you more time to buy gifts, similarly to the first point, that are better quality, sustainable, and thoughtful gifts. This extra time allows for substantial time to research about sustainable brands.
Lastly, it allows time to start or continue new traditions. Traditions can be more sustainable than material purchases while cultivating unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Some ideas are doing Secret Santa, a gingerbread or baking competition, a movie marathon, or an ice skating day.
As Christmas approaches, the most important point to remember is that it’s about spending time with those you love, creating meaningful memories, and showing how much you care, not how much you spend.
