Dismayed by comsumerism

I remember when jelly cat was reasonably priced, good value even. Their prices are eye watering now

We live in late-stage capitalism. That said, I'm a 70s baby and played with fake foods in play kitchens. It's not a new thing. I don't know why you're so outraged tbh.

Fake food has been a play thing forever. Expensive toys have been a thing forever. Have you just realised?

I don’t like communism because it brings out the jealousy in people.

I got the bowl of porridge with bluberries Jellycat for my niece....it's adorable!

You beat me to it! This post is crackers......

Just Stop Jellycats coming to a store near you.

Probably gone to Selfridge's....

As an ideaology, I hate consumerism and buying ‘stuff’ for stuff’s sake isn’t for me. I can’t understand ‘shopping’ as an activity, and agree that there is an irony in food banks existing alongside designer play food.

However, I also recognise my own hypocrisy in that my views don’t prevent me from buying second hand books, paying over the odds for a local veg box or indeed £50 for cat tree for my (spoiled) cats whose food is pricier than mine.

I think very few people are genuinely free from consumerism.

Op didn't come back then! 😂

Nothing wrong with a wealth divide. Or consumerism.

Time we stop blaming everyone else for our problems and situations in life and work on improving ourselves.

Have to admit, I’ve never, ever felt ashamed about buying stuff I don’t need. If I can afford it, I’ll buy it and you’ll never make me feel guilty for it. I work hard for just above minimum wage before you start accusing me of being rich

Quite. The Communist Party of Britain received a total of 2622 votes in the General Election last month (it would've been 2623 if they'd fielded a candidate in my constituency, but sadly they didn't).

There are few supporters of any kind of regime that would seriously address the issue of wealth divide in the UK. While it exists, civil unrest and crime rates are likely to continue to get worse.

A certain level of "consumerism" is beneficial to society as well

People earn more so they spend more on "luxuries" so more luxuries need to be made and people need to sell them so more people in work to then earn more and spend more...

That's the theory. The issues are - manufacturers aren't based in the UK so jobs aren't created there, places aren't willing to hire more staff, places expect more work without paying more, the ultra-rich hoarde wealth and spend it abroad too on fancy holidays or imported items or surgery that is illegal here, being homeless/unemployed makes it hard to get back into work

None of these are solved by those who can afford it buying a soft toy shaped like a chip.

And buying a soft toy shaped like a chip doesn't mean you won't give to charity nor is it a slap in the face of those who need food banks. That soft toy being sold isn't causing price hikes in food, isn't taking cheap food away to be used frivolously, isn't contributing to low wages, isn't stopping someone also donating to a food bank...

I used to feel a bit similar about build a bear boutiques. Those seem to have closed down near us. To be fair the kids did play with them quite a lot.

is it comparable to replica toy cars or silver cross toy buggies?

Or other unnecessary things adults spend money on like Swarovski crystals, acrylic nails, bath bombs, clothes for dogs, Stanley cups, caviar??

Agree that we are a consumerist society and far too sensitive to trends and advertising.

No one should live in poverty that they can’t house, feed and clothe themselves.

Disclaimer: I have Jellycats! And am part of the problem….

I do think the OP has a point, we have the cheapest and most pointless tat in all of human history. Costs to the planet are enormous. At the same time houses are the most expensive they’ve been.

Luckily for everyone else you don’t get to try and control what other people spend their money on 😊

I saw a cute little jellycat key ring of a tortoise that I wanted to buy… til I saw it was £25.
It was tiny!

Ive got a jellycat cat that cost less than that.

Some people are homeless; does that mean I shouldn't have a home?

This would be well down the list of things I'd object to, as not that common.

What I would target and want to consign to history are expensive events. Having hen/stag weekends or weeks instead of a night out, proms for 11 year olds (and indeed 16 or 18 year olds), 'big birthdays' (all are 24 hours long), Christmas Eve boxes. All designed to get you to spend more.

I sort of agree with you OP but in a broader "consumerism makes people go a bit mad" type way. It does seem crazy that people see it as so important to get an overpriced soft toy, that they queue for hours, spend £££ and buy something that could have been bought for far less at IKEA or Asda. And that will probably get forgotten about in 6 months! Slaves to trends and fashions. And yes the thought of all the wasted stuff that gets bought, just for the sake of people being able to say they have it is depressing. But I've always been a bit minimilist and I'm getting more so as I get older!

I do think consumerism is nuts, but that’s a separate issue to food banks. I believe it’s entirely up to individuals what they spend their money on, but I still can’t get my head around people spaffing £60 on a big plastic cup or feeling like they have to spend £100 on a pair of leggings to go to the gym. I also have a problem when people waste money on silly things like this, and then claim to be struggling. Not a problem with the people themselves, but with a society that makes them feel like they’re not good enough if they don’t have this ‘luxury’ item that in reality will make very little (if any) difference to their lives. It’s just brainwashing.

There’s always been fake food as toys, my kids had fake food when they were young. Maybe I haven’t read the thread properly as it’s early but I don’t get what the issue is.

Yes there is too much consumerism. We are all guilty of it to some degree.

But if you are a jellycat fan, then this stuff appeals. I am off in a week to Paris with my daughter and we are hoping the jellycat patisserie will be open.

I still sponsor a child and give to charity. I work in the public sector and am a pretty decent person. Who likes buying nice stuff occasionally for my daughter. Even if it’s an overpriced jellycat millefeuille.

What exactly is the issue here?

I can’t see how anyone could possibly have a problem with this. We are all free to spend our money as we like.