Editor's note: All opinions, columns and letters reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the IDS or its staffers.
What ever happened to the simplicity of “all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”?
These days, I open TikTok to see young adults making videos asking their followers something like, “what are you all asking for for Christmas?!” or showing the list they have compiled.
Many of these creators appear to be in their mid-to-late twenties. Excuse my judgment, however I really feel like by this age, you have got to have bigger priorities than writing up a list of things you want from your parents or partner.
This is not meant to needlessly criticize these creators — it is obviously okay to want things and to give and receive gifts — it simply feels like excessive consumption has poisoned the spirit of every aspect of our lives.
I am not religious, and Christmas is not a particularly spiritually meaningful holiday to me. However, I see the value in cherishing it as time to spend with loved ones, put others before yourself and otherwise see light during dreary winter weather.
Christmas lists should be for children. When you are 6, you absolutely should write a letter to Santa Claus asking for a remote-controlled monster truck, a new doll or a Lego set. When you are 26, you should prioritize gifting to others, community service or time with family and friends during Christmas.
Just take the phrase “stocking stuffers.” I have seen videos of people giving tips on how to fill a stocking just for the sake of it being full. At what point did our values surrounding Christmas become so perverted that we are worried about filling a stocking up to the brim with plastic items that will likely end up in the landfill by next year?
Despite sounding like the Grinch, I do understand that material gift giving is very traditional for many families, and I will never change that by claiming that it is shallow or childish. The idea behind giving gifts is obviously to show people you care about them — but in a time when people seem increasingly concerned about inflation and general affordability, we should redirect our focus away from maximizing material consumption.
Additionally, it feels slightly less sentimental to simply send your parents or significant other a wish list with direct links the way many people do now — they are just sponsoring things you would want to buy anyways, rather than picking something out with you in mind or making a gift for you.
If you find yourself desperately compiling a wish list this year to send to your parents, consider directing the time and resources into local volunteering at places like food pantries or supporting initiatives like “Angel Trees,” through which you can help provide gifts for children or seniors through organizations like the Salvation Army or Prison Fellowship.
I do not mean to discourage gift giving entirely — it is a meaningful way to show people you love them. This holiday season, look into homemade gifts, spend money thoughtfully with the goal of quality over quantity and come up with creative ways to show you care for the people you love. Do a deep clean of someone’s car or house, frame their favorite photos or make them a custom playlist on a CD or cassette. I promise you; they do not need more polyester and plastic things to take up space.
Leila Faraday (she/her) is a junior studying policy analysis with minors in geography and urban planning.
