Rich in What Matters - Choosing Christmas, not Consumerism

I recently read a quote about Christmas that left me thinking.

In Letters from Father Christmas, J.R.R. Tolkien says, “Here comes Christmas! That astonishing thing that no 'commercialism' can defile—unless we let it.”

The way we experience Christmas is our choice, Tolkien says.

And he's right.

Christmas can be a season of simplicity, generosity, connection and peace.

Or it can be a season defined by more stuff, busyness, and stress. A season rendered insipid by a frenzied pursuit of possessions.

Our “most wonderful time of year” is also the most wonderful for marketers. According to Forbes, retailers in America can expect to make $1 trillion from Christmas sales, accounting for one quarter of their yearly profits.

Consider these Christmas spending statistics:

Parents planned to spend an average of $276 per child on Christmas gifts in 2021.
Americans spend an average of $900 total on Christmas gifts.
Women spend 20 hours, on average, shopping for Christmas presents (not including the time spent returning gifts afterward).
Christmas debt statistics report 41% of Americans are willing to take on debt due to gift shopping.

Consumerism is defined as “the theory that individuals who consume goods and services in large quantities will be better off.” Our society agrees. But how often do we pause and question that assumption?

Making consumerism (a.k.a. buying more stuff) the focus of our holiday season is our choice. We can opt out of our consumer culture's push for more this Christmas. It's okay to do things differently.

And, when we do, we just might find the holidays become more meaningful.

Read the full article here!

Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog. Julia practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, two-year-old son, and six-month-old baby girl. You can also find her on Instagram.