Extravagant. Expensive. These are too often the adjectives used to describe the concept of a “perfect gift.” A physical item someone can touch, see or feel is often viewed as better than an intangible or less expensive gift. Materialistic gift culture can ruin the spirit of the holiday season.
While many people love receiving lavish gifts and appreciate them to an extent, they can oftentimes strip a sense of meaning from a present. When the main focus of a gift is how much it costs, other more important aspects get left out of the equation.
One of the main focuses of the holiday season is the wholesome spirit of giving. Sharing one’s wealth through gift-giving has been very misinterpreted, however.
“Gift giving can be a way of strengthening a tie to someone and generating the promise of future gifts,” local citizen Katherine Milkman said.
A gift should show how much the giver cares about the receiver, not about how high the number on the price tag was. A gift someone will actually use or hold sentimental value to triumphs a gift with simply just a high monetary value.
It is important to keep in mind that gifts that are both sentimental and expensive can exist. I believe the intent behind a present should come from the heart first, and wallet second.
Another toxic trait of materialistic gift culture is the exclusionary aspect it can have to people with limited financial means. Those who may not be able to afford costly presents for their loved ones shouldn’t be shamed for it, as the real value in a gift should come from the love associated with it.
“Recipients feel positively toward givers who work hard to find the right gift,” local citizen Barbara Mellers said.
Materialistic gift culture also places experience-based gifts below material ones, which is simply unfair. Giving someone an opportunity to experience something like a concert, play, cooking class or workshop can be equally as or even more thoughtful than a tangible item.
We as a society also need to stop the mass overconsumption and consumerism that takes place during the holiday season. Money will always find a way of coming back, but time spent with loved ones is finite, and the gift with truly the most value.
Finding gifts that are both thoughtful and inexpensive can be difficult, but some ideas include: homemade food, refills on hygiene products, personalized touches to simple items, thrift store or flea market finds, photo albums or subscriptions to new magazines.
So this holiday season, think before you buy with the following question: “how will this gift show I care?” and go from there.
