With the holidays right around the corner, people are beginning to make their wish lists and are thinking about what to get their friends and family. The holiday season is centered around food, gifts and the overall festive atmosphere. However, amid all the holiday cheer, there’s been a clear rise in overconsumption when it comes to buying gifts for the season.
Recently , there has been an emphasis on getting the perfect gift. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have only fueled this trend. Many users share their “haul” videos showing off the gifts they received, which often include high-end and expensive items including shoes, clothes and makeup. Being exposed to this content can create unrealistic expectations for what people should get for the holidays. Additionally, it sends the message that if you aren’t getting a lot of expensive gifts, you’re somehow missing out. Additionally, apps profit off products in these hauls through ads and sponsored content from influencers.
Along with advertisements, brands and companies are eager to take advantage of the holiday shopping season by pushing limited-edition items and flashy packaging. They advertise sales and exclusive holiday deals to create a sense of urgency, making shoppers feel like they need to buy things right away or else they’ll risk missing out on a sale or an item going out of stock. The excitement around deals like Black Friday further fuels this rush to buy, with many people buying things on impulse simply because they’re “on sale.”
The obsession with material goods goes beyond just shopping; it can even influence how people view their relationships. In today’s world, the value of a friendship or family bond is likely tied to the value of the gifts exchanged. Instead of focusing on the thoughtfulness behind the gesture or spending time together, many people measure their connections based on the material items they receive.
Materialism around the holidays highlights how much our society places importance on possessions, rather than the deeper, more meaningful aspects of the holidays. In the end, while gifts and good deals can be exciting, it’s important to keep in mind that the spirit of the holidays is about spending quality time with people you care for, and not just what’s under the tree.
