In the weeks leading up to Christmas, sales increase dramatically in almost all areas of retail. The stores introduce hundreds of new products as people buy more and more gifts, decorations and supplies to get them through the Christmas period.
The ‘dead weight’ of bad gifts
Yet despite all this massive buying of things, the huge increase in sales at Christmas actually leads to what economists call a “deadweight loss.” What this means is that the overall difference between what gift givers spent on Christmas gifts and what gift givers would have paid for the same things is a negative number (economists estimate that in 2001 Christmas resulted in a deadweight loss of $4 billion in the Us Alone). Simply put, most Christmas gifts aren’t as welcome as they should be!
mess and mess
In addition to the fact that a person may not really want to receive the carefully chosen Christmas gift, there tends to be a cost for the upkeep and storage of the item, and their contribution to the clutter in the home ends up being an added hassle for Him. receiver.
excess waste
If the gifts end up in the landfill, this contributes to harming the environment. Due to the magnitude of gift-giving at Christmas, the environmental impact is significant. Bad Christmas gifts are a burden on society.
the art of giving
But it does not have to be like that! While none of us need more fluffy cellophane baskets of bath bombs and synthetic body washes, tat bags destined for the landfill, there really is an art to gift-giving.
It is possible to give gifts that will truly be appreciated by your loved ones. Once you have the knack of giving the right holiday gifts to your friends and family, you can begin to make a positive contribution to the spirit of Christmas giving!
Take your time
A mad dash to the shops on December 24 may fit into your hectic lifestyle, but the chances of finding truly ideal Christmas gifts that way are slim. Instead, in the months leading up to Christmas, take note of your friends and family’s interests and hobbies, and consider activities they might enjoy but haven’t discovered for themselves yet.
Join forces
What gifts would help them achieve their goals, appreciate their hobbies, or simply improve their lives on a day-to-day basis? Perhaps there is a Christmas present that would benefit them, but is too expensive for you to pay for. Could you join other family members or friends and pay for the item together?
Be original
If you’re absolutely sure that giving the same gift to a particular loved one every year will make them happy, then go ahead. But most people like to be surprised once in a while! If you can find an original Christmas gift that suits a person’s character in some way, then it will be a more exciting gift to receive.
useful or beautiful
Finally, take inspiration from the 19th century British craftsman, designer and poet William Morris, who said, “Have nothing in your house that you don’t know is useful or think is beautiful.” Ask yourself this question with every Christmas gift purchase you’re about to make. If it’s neither useful nor beautiful, go ahead and put it back on the shelf!
