With the holiday season right around the corner, many rush to purchase presents for their loved ones and people they care about. However, due to the pressures of consumerism, the true meaning behind gifting can be lost in the midst of keeping up with trends and purchasing pricey items. What was once a heartfelt tradition has now turned into a materialistic endeavor.

People may feel obligated to spend more because of societal pressures and the increasing normality of buying expensive items. Spendy gift-giving can distract from the true meaning of the festive season, which should be focused on spreading love and not buying extravagant presents. This focus on monetary value can ruin the holidays and create superficial expectations around gift-giving.

Sophomore Minna Al-Dabbagh stated, “I feel like…a few years ago gift giving was more about…the intention than the gift itself, but… yeah, I do think that it has been more extravagant lately.”

There is also a lot of consumerism during the holidays, such as Black Friday and yearly sales that focus on people’s spending, which may have resulted in this expectation. On various social media platforms, people can see videos of creators showcasing hauls with an abundance of items. These videos can influence what a viewer may want, creating consumerist ideals and conceptions of what is necessary and what is not.

Junior Lily Logan shared, “I think social media really affects how the heartfelt intentions behind gifting a present can be lost through the need to buy an expensive gift.”

Many people have moved away from handmade gifts due to societal norms portraying them as unconventional. Although it may be seen as abnormal to create a handmade gift, it can be a wonderful way to save money while not losing the endearing aspect. The true spirit of the holidays should not revolve around materialistic items, but by focusing on the joy of sharing through the heart.