Tidings of Clutter and Joy

As the holidays wind down, I most certainly feel the effects of the seasonal frenzy. I’m tired, I’m still trying to find space in my house for all the decorations and gifts, and I’m developing regret over how much I bought and the marketing that got me.

Glittering sales promised us joy in the form of shiny trinkets and cheap clothing, while advertisements urged us to “treat ourselves” or “give more.” But beneath the twinkling lights, there is a darker reality in the harmful intersection of overconsumption and the push of capitalism. It all collides in every holiday season and leaves me seeking much less each January.

Take the booming fast fashion industry as an example. During the holiday gifting season, brands like Shein, Zara and H&M flood the market with low-cost, trend-driven garments. A $10 sweater or a $5 holiday dress seems like the perfect quick gift or party outfit, but these prices conceal hidden costs. Behind each garment is a trail of exploited labor, toxic waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Reports have shown that some garment workers are paid mere pennies per hour, while textile dyeing is a leading source of water pollution globally.

The ephemeral nature of fast fashion makes the problem much worse. Many holiday purchases are discarded within weeks or months, creating mountains of waste. In the United States alone, the EPA estimates that 11 million tons of textile waste end up in landfills annually. During the holidays, this waste surges as closets overflow with items bought on impulse or from a feeling of social obligation.

Our culture’s addiction to capitalism fuels this cycle with its mantra of “more is better.” The holiday season, theoretically about gratitude and togetherness, has been co-opted into a festival of consumerism. Advertisements create a false sense of scarcity, urging shoppers to snatch deals before they’re gone. Social media influencers showcase perfectly curated gift guides, pushing followers to purchase more. Even traditions like Secret Santa often emphasize quantity over thoughtfulness, encouraging the purchase of items destined for short-term use.

As I move forward into 2025, I’m recommitting to several efforts that I hope will shift my family’s focus away from the hallmark overconsumption of the holiday season.

I am going to choose thoughtful, sustainable gifting that doesn’t end in a mad dash to the local dump. We have both a February and a March birthday in our house and we are planning on gifting experiences for both, as well as a couple secondhand American Girl doll sets to our soon-to-be 6-year-old.

Instead of buying cheap, trendy items that may be discarded after a single use, I want to opt for quality and meaning that will stand the test of time. I am also confident that gifted experiences will last longer in the story of their childhood than a single toy or trendy piece of clothing.

I have been an active consignor with Just Between Friends, one of the country’s leading consignment franchises, for several years. Each season I gather up clothing, toys, and other kids’ items no longer needed and tag them to be sold at the sale. It’s an endorphin-boosting 2-for-1. I make a little money from items we no longer need, and I am more than happy to declutter. This circular model of consumerism at the consignment sale allows families to save money, make a little money, and reduce their contribution to the volume of waste in our country.