Battling the Christmas consumer guilt a bit at a time
With the climate crisis hovering like a big grey cloud and news of nuclear Christmases and boycotters in the air, the pressure to keep Christmas a low-key, sustainable affair is increasingly unavoidable.
Unfortunately, in our home at least, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to crushing the pantomime drag villain that is Christmas.
Commercial campaigns and glossy TV ads peddling the hollow shell of so-called tradition, have contaminated our brains with this idea of gifts as a vehicle to demonstrate how much we love and know our family and friends. And, for some of us, trying to normalise a sustainable approach to gift-giving can still feel like a distant Pinterest-fuelled fantasy.
A survey from online investment service Wealthify found over three quarters of parents think their child receives gifts they don’t actually want, and the average lifespan of their presents is around one month. Apparently, this equates to around £733million worth of wasted presents. Eek.
And then there’s always the adult who has everything – a ‘hilarious’ rumour we’re determined to defy every year. Except it does really seem like they do, and anything you do get them, is added to the warren of dust-bunny furniture.
Of course, you could get them something they actually ask for, but then the spirit of gift-giving becomes merely transactional while bringing yet more stuff into the world.
In the past I’ve tried to placate my planetary guilt through jam-making, homemade candles and, God forbid, even homemade cleaning products (sorry sis) only to experience a different kind of guilt. Especially when the recipient rustles up some kind of luxury vegan hamper and I suddenly come very aware of the visible blobs of glue and bad spray paint jobs on my pimped-up jars. Also, I’m not sure how many of my family members even like jam.
Not only that, gathering the materials and putting them together, can be as stressful and time-consuming as shopping. And they rarely turn out like the brown packages, daintily served up with a sprig of holly, fir, angel feather etc on Instagram et al.
Charity shopping is another eco and wallet-friendly option which can result in some unique finds. But, when you’re actually looking for a specific person in mind, especially an older child or adult, it can prove a different challenge altogether. And, with the pressure to swap gifts like for like, it’s hard not to imagine they’re picturing you in a nightie uttering humbug under your breath.
In many cases, presents seem to have undermined the values and cheeriness of a good old--fashioned family Christmas. My childhood Christmases weren’t exactly a picture of nuclear boardgame wholesomeness – more like tonnes of presents interspersed with chocolate and trash TV (not that I was complaining). And, values aside, I still feel that little fizz of excitement when I receive a gift, and the thrill when I exchange mine (vinegar cleaning solution aside).
There’s no denying presents, for many of us, will remain a staple of Christmas-lore. But how can we escape what Martin Lewis, of Money Saving Expert fame, calls the gift-giving treadmill? Or at least transition to a more sustainable way of gifting without imposing expensive, unrealistic and time-consuming goals on ourselves?
- It can be tricky with children who want the shiny things plugged in every ad break but there are plenty of quality, underused, modern toys available from social media sites like Facebook Marketplace which allow for more personable interactions and the opportunity to view in person before you buy.
- Try present swapping – if you have parent friends with kids the same age, see if you can exchange like for like gift with them your own child has barely used. No one need know!
- There are plenty of charming wooden toys for younger children nowadays. I bought my nieces a wooden cake and coffee machine set from Aldi and they loved it (for the allotted month at least).
- When your parents, whose shelves are cluttered up to their eyeballs, say they just want edibles, I promise it’s OK to just buy them edibles (bonus if they like jam).
- Make a pact with family members to only buy for the kids. That way it cuts down on needless gifts, stress and cost!
- Suggest secret Santa between the adults in the family or in friendship circles and agree a cost. The lower the amount, the harder the challenge!
- Start small and experiment with some simple handmade gifts - they might be more appreciated than you realise. I put together a hot chocolate jar for my young nephew, decorated it and stuck a toy car on the lid. He refused to use it for months because it was ‘special’!
- Give vouchers for experiences like afternoon teas or pampering sessions (I know a few parent folk who would definitely appreciate this over a novelty slow cooker).
- And lastly, my favourite idea, try the charity shop challenge! With a friend, family member or partner, pledge only to buy gifts from charity shops – you might be surprised by the treasures that leap out! And at least, if they don’t, there are no great expectations!
Gradually introducing these sustainable steps will hopefully lessen the burden of expectation, and gift-giving can once again be an enjoyable, stress-free indulgence without costing the Earth – both figuratively and literally.
