The Truth About Holiday Gift Guides (Hint: They Are Ads!)
Holiday gift guides are getting ridiculous!
Most mornings I scan the news on the internet over my first cup of coffee. I am not entirely sure why I do it since it just gets more depressing by the day, but here we are. Sometimes, to alleviate the stress and disappointment that the news stirs up, I skip down to the advertising section for a taste of ridiculous humor in the form of articles with titles like these:
“ 28 one of a kind gifts that will make the recipient feel seen.”
"13 gifts under $50 that can make your home feel instantly more put together!”
Or “Show grandma you really care with these thoughtful age appropriate gifts. ”
What is so funny about those? Well for starters, a gift suggested by a complete stranger on a random list is not going to make anyone feel seen (but nice try guys). As for your grandma, chances are that at this point in her life she would be much more enthusiastic about a dumpster than any more junk. Oh yes, and the idea that adding more crap to your home will make if feel more put together? How exactly does THAT work?
Loads of people fall for this nonsense which is clearly just holiday shopping pressure. At this time of year, buying guides are everywhere. Oprah, your favorite influencer or celebrity, and every magazine, website and blog has one. See them for what they are which is advertisements not “gift guides”! They are pressure to buy unnecessary gifts and stuff no one wants or needs!
How gift guides pressure us to buy more
Consider this, When we stop reading these ridiculously titled lists as just entertainment and start taking their advice, well the joke is on us! We start to doubt ourselves, worry we haven’t bought enough junk for our loved ones, co- workers or friends, and then start panic buying like our life depends on it. (And it doesn’t make us look thoughtful or generous, its the same crap everyone else is panic buying).
You don't have to buy stuff to show love
Remember, no matter how authoritative or convincing the voice, you don’t have to buy and give stuff to show love. That is a story we have been sold all our lives. It is absolutely false!
The advertisers, marketers, manufacturers and list makers are laughing all the way to the bank! They have convinced us to outsource our good judgement to the extent that not participating in the madness can feel really uncomfortable.
The fact is, the “fabulous”, “useful”, “unique”, “hilarious” gift they sold you will end up in landfill. You know it, I know it and they know it! But first it will take up space in someones already cluttered home and cause them stress until they decide they have held onto it long enough to make YOU feel good, and then out it goes!
How to avoid Holiday shopping pressure
Before you click on the gift guide for anything more than a giggle, pause. Before you get sucked into buying something get really honest about why you are doing it. If the only reason you’re buying it is because someone told you it’s a “must-have” or made you feel there’s something wrong with you if you don’t, close that tab!
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