Yesterday, I brought out some Data & Analysis for USA Christmas Spending in 2024. The numbers there were really surprising and I was just trying to search some more on those. But I came across this very well written take on how and why we need to rethink our gifter attitude? The writer has definitely come up with some solid reasons and anecdotes on why we need such an adjustment?
This is not an argument for no longer giving gifts to people we love. I think giving gifts is great. But I do think it would be wise for us to rethink how we give them.
And the sooner, the better:
........
I think it’s time we rethought how we approached the act of gifting gifts during the holiday season. Our current approach is not benefiting the people we love, nor is it adding to the joy of the season.
Times have changed.
For one, material goods exist in far greater excess than ever before. Consider this, human beings own more “things” today than at any point in human history. In America, the average home has tripled in size in the last 50 years. And still 10% of Americans rent offsite storage to house their stuff… and an even higher percentage can’t park their car in the garage because it’s too full. We’ve reached peak-stuff. People don’t want more, they want less (the growth of this blog and the minimalist movement over the years since it began stand as proof).
Additionally, and probably more important, very few people wait for the holidays to receive what they want anymore. Because goods have become so accessible and inexpensive, a high percentage of people just go buy whatever they want, whenever they want. This leads to countless moments of saying, “I don’t know what to get __________, he already has everything.” I can remember that phrase being said 30 years ago. But nowadays, it’s true about far more people than ever before.
In the end the minimalist also shares some valuable suggestions on what needs to be done to change this gifting tradition?
I'd love to hear from you for two things.
-
How do you approach the gifter mindset which is a norm now?
-
Do you agree with the writer's views and would try to change the gift giving tradition?