Shops' seasonal tat!

[Passaggressfedup]

Society is in economic decline. The average family struggles to afford their bills. They can't afford to save let alone any form of luxury. This is what is shared through whatever social media platform.

So it makes me wonder? Who buys all the tat that covers whole shelves of supermarkets or shops selling cheap stuff? Christmas is over and here comes Valentine tat. Big teddy bears, huge chocolate boxes, cards that cost £10. Then the same for mother's day. The next day, all the shit for Easter? Easter family pyjamas, decorative pillows, duvet, garden stuff with bunnies on them...and it goes on, theme after theme, tat after that.

Surely this happens because it sells, and sells very well. So who has the disposable income to buy that absolute unnecessary stuff? Not even luxury, things that will end up in the bin.

Are the media selling us fake stories about families on the brick of financial crisis? Or are all these shops selling stuff that are recycled every year because it's not selling?

MN is a forum that is skewed towards the wealthiest people. I don't think the wealthiest people are buying seasonal tat in Asda.

I think the supermarkets know that many people are addicted to consumption and they probably can't afford it but they buy it anyway. This is what makes the truly wealthy people wealthy.

What I'd like to know is, who wears Easter/Christmas family pyjamas and how do the couple remain attracted to each other?

I buy my seasonal tat in Tesco or b and m bargains.

never had matching Christmas pjs though.

i do have Christmas PJs, several sets.

I don't know. Have you read my post beyond the second sentence?

Were you joking? I only have an A level in Economics but I still no that Interest rates have a significant impact on economic growth. Equally, the unemployment rate is not exactly insignificant.

Knw not "no".

😂 know

Me. I love a bit of seasonal tat and making it fun for the kids.

And yes, I have the disposable income to do so.

Not everyone is on their arse. The pubs, restaurants and shops here are heaving. People have money to spend and good luck to them!

You may have A levels in economics but it didn't appear to have come with reading comprehension because nowhere in my posts did I suggest that

1. Interest rates don't have significant impact on economic growth.
2. Personal finance are not affected by level on unemployment or that levels of unemployment are insignificant.

So, again, I don't know what you want me to say because you seem to agree with my post but nonetheless challenge me on what I wrote.

OP - it’s the lipstick thing.

Theres an old paper on this that was often taught in economics classes that when the economy took a downturn, sales of lipstick went up. This had various explanations but the one that was often seen as the most likely, women who could no longer afford a new dress or bag or shoes, would buy the smaller treat, a new lipstick. Don’t have £200 for a new summer bag, do have £10 for a new shade of lipstick.

People buying what you call tat, others call home seasonal decorations for important events though out the year is completely in tune with that. It’s people not having the money for big celebrations making the most of having to stay at home. Can’t afford the Christmas lights trail at a local country house/botanical gardens/significant place at £100+ for a family- buy £20 new lights and do a big switch on of your own lights.

Can’t afford to go out for Easter Sunday lunch as your family would in the past - host at home and spend £10 on a few decorations to make it feel special.

Notice the “tat” sales are often around school holidays. People who would have done days out or had a holiday or meals out spending a fraction on decorating their home to make it special.

(Our Easter/halloween/christmas decorations come out each year, sometimes I’ll replace something but it’s not all landfill- stop throwing things out and use storage)

The economy would be in an even worse state, if most people stopped buying things that they really do not need.

What makes wealthy people wealthy is inheritance, generational wealth, high earning power. What doesn't make you poor is spending £30 around Asda, HB, B&M to add cheer to your life because you haven't got a new kitchen, dining out, skiing/exotic holidays, or even decent, secure housing to look forward to. If someone lives on £24k a year, not buying a tulip themed wreath to put on your door, isn't going to make a jot of difference to your financial situation.
Decorating your house/baking for Easter, with the children and having a park/community based break, is still cheaper than a day at the zoo/theme park. Or shouldn't the lower incomed have any joy? Plus we need people to shop. It generates tax revenue and supports jobs.

I spent a fiver on a rabbit to go with DMs Easter chocolates - she has dementia and really appreciated it - if she’s still with us - it will come out again next year

I wasn't being boastful about my A level, I was making a point that 'even' with only an A level in Economics, I can work out that macro very much does impact micro economics. You suggested that the poster was conflating two very separate issues, I disagree.

I said "almost unrelated" not "two very separate". I also said "Personal finances are affected by interest rates and unemployment " and your reply was "How are unemployment and interest rates unrelated to personal wealth?"

None of your subsequent points contradicted what I said. So again, I am not sure what you expect me to say.

I think it’s just more about where people want to spend their money. If they have spare money, then it’s up to the individual with what they want to do with it. I saw a post recently where a woman was reminding people that £60 spent on “tat in B&M” ( her words not mine) could equate a return ticket to Amsterdam and she brought up the evidence to support it. Obviously that’s where she prefers to spend her money and others will say that they love their tat in B&M and actually they don’t have the funds to enjoy Amsterdam once they’ve bought that return ticket.

I cant lie, I love a browse around tkmaxx. More for general stuff around my house rather than seasonal, but I’m not immune to it. I’ve retired from teaching so I do still have some seasonal stuff that is years old that I like to grey out for my grandchildren. Probably only Easter and Christmas though.

I don’t buy much of it. I look at it and think aw that’s sweet etc but realistically I don’t want to spend the money. The older I get, the more I want out my house, rather than in it. But whether you’re buying period pieces for your house or buying autumn candles, it’s all money wherever you are on the scale, it’s just up to you what you do with it. I don’t think you can tell whether it’s an indicator of economic growth or not. Lots of people may smoke, vape, have a gym membership, a season football ticket, a travel hobby whatever….and other people will say well I don’t do or have any of that, I spend my money on house decor, trinkets etc . Everyone will spend their money differently, although I do grant you it’s big business…none of this was about when I was young (I’m very old). A few foil ceiling decorations in your kitchen were classed as “extra” in addition to your Christmas tree back then!!

Not necessarily aimed at you OP but I often wonder how much more polite, content, rational and enthusiastic we might be as individuals and society if we didn't worry about, resent or compare every damn circumstance about ourselves to others.

Is it a hobby to be perpetually offended or outraged by just about everything?

“Hard working families” is code for “working class people”.

Yes and where has the generational wealth come from, you think owners of CEOs of, Shareholders in supermarkets don't hold any wealth?

Baking themed cakes, crafting seasonal decorations isn't the same as consuming lots of seasonal products. I don't think it matters except if you care about the environment. I was responding to the statement that this stuff is being bought by people who have excessive amounts of disposable income

It's definitely a shift in perspective. I've heard people talk about "needing" to get Easter decorations for example.

My parents had modest jobs and have retired comfortably. People will say that's because they were fortunate to buy a house cheaply etc and it's true to a point, but they've also always approached spending on a "do we need it" basis. They are generous with eg eating out with family but wouldn't have a coffee just because they're in town. The Christmas tree decorations are the same ones from their first Christmas in 1969, with the addition of some bit DSis and I or our DC made over the years. Mum did birthday parties at home woth homemade games etc etc. Everyone had one pair of shoes plus wellies, clothes were replaced when they were small or worn out etc etc. And it was fine, no one was going without, and it was so much more environmentally sound.

My Dad's favourite saying is you can only spend it once. If you're spending £25pw "unnecessarily", that's £50k over 40 years and if you're in the habit of buying "seasonal tatt" it's probably more.

I buy my sessional tat when it's reduced. So have got some ceramic bunnies for £1 in primark and 50p ceramic eggs from Poundland that will be boxed up for next year and probably never replaced as I have it now.

Kids Christmas pjs are worn all year and like their non Christmas ones, are outgrown and handed down.

I suspect the giant valentines bears are bought bought by young men for girlfriends or maybe husbands. No normal family is adding a giant teddy every year to their February shop are they?

Cheap is bad for our planet. But when I feel like judging I'd rather judge the parents smoking pot while their kids go without.

I'm not pro tat. But for £5 I have a nice Easter display for my kids sake. How many joints would £5 get me? Or bottles of booze? Choose your poison isn't it? In all my life I have only met two friends who lived in genuine poverty. I also didn't judge her getting them a iPhone at Christmas on credit. It was the only luxury they had. But I'm not in her shoes so it's very hard for me to judge isn't it? As by my standards, with choices open to me she doesn't have.

People say they have the disposable income for it. Is this after they pay towards their pension? Savings? Emergency fund? Life insurance? And whatever else should take priority?

I guess I am tired of the constant moaning on social media about how unfair life is, how people can't afford anything, how it's all the fault of the boomers and X generation, and how we should show empathy because of how hard they have it.

Then I go to these shops and wonder who buy all that unnecessary stuff. Sadly, I can't help but feel sceptical at all the 'poor us' stuff we are constantly bombarded with. MN is indeed a prime example of it.

Even in two households with the same earnings/same outgoings, that spare cash will be spent differently.

Household 1 has £100 spare for anything they see fit, so does Household 2.
Household 1 spends £100 on home decorations / seasonal items because it's Easter. Household 2 spends their £100 on the cinema/a treat meal/pick anything you can think of.

In even the wealthiest and the poorest households, the spare cash (be it £1 or £1000) is going to be spent differently in whatever way brings that person joy.

Spending on seasonal items is literally no indicator at all of spending power generally.

OP, I don't think it's a reflection of the state of the Economy, I think it's a reflection of consumerist culture that permeates modern society. It's not an insignificant issue as it leads people to be individualistic and just satisfy their compulsive whims. IMO it's not a reflection of people having excessive disposable income.

I also think that it's perfectly valid to feel like everything is expensive and you work bloody hard for the money you have got spare and that the "spare" after all the bills and everything else isn't enough.

If you had £5 after all your bills etc were paid each month, would you stick it in savings and live on the bare minimum for all eternity? Or might you occasionally buy yourself a little something - be that a chocolate bar, a nice hand cream or a bit of decor?

And yes I think there are people living in poverty, and there are also a hell of a lot of people who aren't. That doesn't mean that those who are, aren't allowed to complain about it - both groups exist.