avoid the consumerism trap (8/8)

Read first: alternatives to traditional gift-giving (7/8)

Black Friday is upon us. And it’s that time of the year when retailers will bombard us with deals on everything from televisions and tech gadgets to toys and clothes. 

But we all have the choice to not fall into the consumerism trap and make intentional purchases. There’s no need to succumb to the pressure and the best thing we can do for ourselves this holiday shopping season is to not buy into the hype. We can convert our shopping holidays into simple holidays, and enjoy meaningful things and experiences instead of participating in meaningless purchases to showcase our love for others. 

We can let go of trampling people for things we don’t need, and instead treat them with love and respect. As the Minimalists put it beautifully, “Love people, use things. The opposite never works.”

Let go of the insanity of Black Friday, and choose to go in the slow and simple lane. Just relax and enjoy the holidays, and focus on quality, not quantity, on giving and not taking, on people, not on things.

Spend quality time together with your loved ones, enjoy delicious meals, play in the snow, connect with nature, volunteer for a good cause in your neighborhood, or get immersed in the holiday spirit. Buying is not loving, loving is loving. Don’t let price tags and special offers overshadow the bonds that you share with others.

This holiday season, let’s choose love over hate, peace over chaos and letting go over pointless consumerism.