To think there’s too much ‘stuff’

[autumnnightsaredrawingin]

This time of year is always bad for it, and I know one can ignore the endless marketing emails, the Christmas markets, the shops full of ‘stuff’, the Instagram ‘must haves’ and on and on it goes.

We are having a big declutter at the moment, and it really brings home home much stuff there is that we’ve accumulated, but also just generally how consumerism has really got crazy. I am myself guilty of buying too much stuff.

Eg: Christmas decorations. Why do some people buy a whole new set/colour scheme every year? Same for decorations for the house, there are piles and piles of different things in shops, so much. It surely can’t all be needed/bought.

Black Friday, yes it’s a good deal if you actually need the stuff, but often it’s not things you actually ‘need’.

I just find it all quite sad and obviously from an environmental aspect it’s terrible. I am really, really going to try to cut back on this stuff. Anyone else? Or are you already pretty good? I have added things to online baskets over the last few days and then cleared them and not bought them which is a start.

I buy Christmas tree decorations as holiday souvenirs. My tree is covered in memories. The pre lit tree previously belonged to my late ILs and we have a set of their baubles too.

I know of a "small" business in Ireland (aoibhin garrihys Beo brand for any Irish on here). They made a big song and dance last year about not participating in Black Friday, in reality they sell goods at extortionate prices and are just greedy! I do think there is definitely too much waste but don't necessarily agree that Black Friday encourages more waste because "aw I'll buy a new because it's cheap and just get rid of the old one". I don't know anyone who uses shop sales for that reason although I'm sure there are people who do.

I think it's more because for years they felt obliged to partake at the expense of their profit margins, they can't afford to anymore - which is fair enough.

I agree with you OP, we have so much stuff, and I love my family dearly but they buy so much stuff for my DC, I have gently suggested they spend all their budget on one thing, but their love language is giving and buying, so they go home bargains and buy 8/9 cheap things so they are giving her more presents, they won't entertain getting one better quality thing that she actually wants.

our whole economy is built on consumerism and growth of that consumerism sadly.

I think it's more because for years they felt obliged to partake at the expense of their profit margins, they can't afford to anymore - which is fair enough.

Then they should not portray the reason for non participation as faux concern for sustainability. They absolutely want to maintain higher profit margins. So opt out and say nothing. They should credit their existing and potential customers with enough intelligence to see through their transparency.

I'm originally not from the UK and have been living here for 10 years. I still wince when I see the amount of cards and wrapping paper. We don't wrap presents where I'm from we re-use gift bags instead and there aren't cards unless you want to write a specific message or the gift is from several people who are not present. Not that I expect UK to change but there is LOT of waste over Christmas. It's not just one present.. it's tons and tons of things you're supposed to have: matching pj, stockings, multiple gifts, etc etc it's over the top. I'm sure many feel same as you and I think it's important to set your own traditions (I like same Christmas decorations that are older) and fight consumerism.

Some good and interesting points. I have to say I enjoy shopping, I enjoy choosing gifts for people I love, I enjoy spoiling my kids, but I guess it’s just the sheer volume and choice and just excess that seems to have really taken off since my first born was little.

I feel the same about supermarkets to be honest. Why do we need a choice of 50 cereals for example. I totally get that the economy needs people to buy and sell, and that businesses need to make profits. But it all just seems a lot. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just getting old!

I have a young toddler now as well as two older kids and I think he will have a lot less ‘stuff’ than my older two did. I am also trying to do experiences rather than a gift for the sake of something to buy for my older kids especially my son who just doesn’t need or want ‘things’.

We buy and sell DCs Christmas jumper on Vinted every year. But appreciate not everyone does this.

I know what you mean OP.

I get that feeling when i go into a Range or B&Ms these days.

Sooooo much stuff. Plastic dangley plants. Plastic dangley plants in a metal heart. Plastic dangley plants in a metal heart with feathers stuck on the side.

Wooden statue of a cherub. Wooden statue of a cherub with a candle holder in his hand. Wooden statue of a cherub with candle holder and feathers stuck on the side. Wooden cherub with dangley plant and candle holder and feathers and lights and a love heart and a rainbow and and and ...... aaaarrggh!

I find myself wondering where it all ends up.

I agree, also any cause at school that pressures you into buying something to wear -children in need and the likes.
I hate all the cheap mass produced tat available all year not just christmas , i much prefer 2nd hand or a thrilling find in a charity shop.
The older i get the more i dislike shopping , if i really want/ need something i put a lot more thought into things now and tend to pick uk made or small business i just don't want to contribute to land fill.

🤣🤣🤣 You are so right.

My MIL still has some Christmas decorations that she bought when she was first married in 1959.

Some of them are really lovely, eg a little ceramic cottage with snow on the roof, that's beautifully detailed. It even has a tiny cat on the doorstep and a dog looking out of the window.

Unfortunately we have dogs. So they get disposed of a lot cos they have had an accident. So it’s always handy bringing them home

I totally agree. It’s as if the buying is a form of entertainment. Surely that can be sought through a different activity.

That's the capitalist culture for you !

You NEED TO BUY all that crap to have the PERFECT CHRISTMAS though .

Oh hang on , no i don't .

I love stuff but know this and restrain myself. I have had friends who redecorate entire rooms about every 18m including throwing away perfectly conditioned throws and cushions. It gives me the ick and makes me cautious about what I get as a result. I still overbuy mind but have had my eyes opened to black Friday bargains this year as I've made a list of things I want and have been monitoring prices since early summer. All the stuff is apparently reduced but has been at that price or lower earlier in the year. That's made me much more restrained!

I really hope the tide will turn on this soon. Maybe the younger generation starting adulthood now will lead the way? In my family it seems to be the baby boomers who are the worst for buying more and more stuff - maybe a reaction to the austerity they had as children.

I would love to see all the 'bin fodder' that society now sees as essential stop. E.g. plastic tat in party bags, glow sticks, a medal for every sports day/football tournament.....but how to change the outlook on this across the whole western world?

I don't know people personally but often see repeated 'Christmas decorations for sale due to change in colour scheme' sort of posts from the same local culprits. They do it with cushions too.

Totally agree! I went for a look around the shops the other day for the first time in ages and it was just overwhelming. The amount of choice and rows after rows of everything put me off, and I ended up not getting anything. I don't know if I've changed or the world's changed, but an afternoon out shopping just doesn't seem appealing anymore.

I don't buy too much stuff at Christmas tbh. I'm in Germany this week and I went to the Christmas market yesterday. It was lovely! Most of the stuff was either really good food stalls or stalls selling quality handmade things. I've never been to a Christmas market in the UK, but I've heard they are full of tat. I buy presents for my extended family, but don't go OTT. I buy one new decoration per year and get the dc to choose it. I might check out Black Friday deals, but I only buy things I was going to buy anyway. There's really no need for a frenzy!

WHICH did a survey and found 98% of Black Friday deals were duds but they have put links to ones they thought were bargains.

We have been slowly decluttering and we've chucked a shocking amount of stuff and we don't even buy a lot.

We don't change decor very often, and especially not Christmas. I'm currently getting into panic mode because I've no idea what to get anyone and definitely don't want to buy for the sake of buying, but we are at a point of not needing anything!! (Also includes the teens)

So you love buying stuff and going shopping but then feel bad about it afterwards? You can’t have it all ways. Either cut down on your consumerism and ease the guilt or don’t.

Many of my friends care a lot about being wasteful and respectful to the environment. Because you and your friends act one way doesn’t mean it’s impossible not to. We get Christmas decorations from charity shops and encourage children to make new ones each year. Our tree isn’t going to win any instagram awards but I’m not on instagram so couldn’t care less. It’s totally possible to make changes if you want to. Including buying 2nd hand gifts at Christmas.

"Christmas jumper day" pisses me off so much.

The assumption that every kid has a Christmas jumper (or can and should buy one). We all know that 99% of them are polyester/acrylic and won't fit them next year. So that's a disposable plastic landfill jumper which will be worn 3 or 4 times, then. For each of the 300 kids in the school, every year.

Thank God DD's new school specifies that Christmas jumpers are NOT expected as standard and it's fine to pin some tinsel or little baubles (or similar) to your clothes, or just wear cheerful colours.

We do this too. But I forgot to get one last week in Krakow so bought a charity knitted gnome instead.