Less is More

I was listening to a story on the radio the other day about a family in northern California that gave up buying new products of any kind for one year. Except for certain necessities like food and toiletries, they agreed to borrow, barter or buy used. They are part of a growing group committed to a flight from consumerism called The Compact and they’re doing their best to slow down the production of trash in our increasingly disposable consumer culture.

I’m sure eschewing “the new” isn’t easy—especially around the holidays. I’ll bet gift giving for The Compact folks revolves around handmade items and a lot of digging at used bookstores—great gifts to get, but, somehow, a little bit difficult to give. The holidays are the perfect time to think about our flight from trash and excess.

It might seem odd that I’m mentioning The Compact in our annual gift guide issue, where you’ll find all sorts of great goodies for your loved ones and, perhaps, you. If you're like me, you’d probably find it difficult to skip those monthly (or is it weekly?) trips to Target. Everywhere you look there are advertisements telling you of that one thing that is guaranteed to make your life easier, even happier. Too often, though, that happiness is short-lived and we’re left looking ahead for the next purchase and the happiness it guarantees. Around the holidays, it is even harder to escape the call of the mall.

So, what can you do if buying used or making your gifts by hand is not an alternative? One idea is to purchase lessons or other experiential gifts to ensure time well spent with loved ones. Giving someone a “date night,” even your parents, is a great way to spend some holiday dollars. Certificates for free babysitting would put a smile on the face of any parent with young kids.

When you buy new, make sure you’re buying enduring, well-built products like the ones we mention in this issue. Spend a little more for quality products or shop around for deals. But buy the good stuff. Quality products oftentimes come with a slightly higher price tag, but they also last longer and satisfy us further into the future, thereby resulting in less waste.

With two young children in our house, my husband and I haven’t decided how we will handle holiday gifts this year. We do know, however, that there is such a thing as “too much.” We’ve decided on the motto, “less is more.” With so much lead paint turning up in toys these days, we are much more critical about the things our children play with. Indeed, even the inexpensive stuff can still come with a high price tag.

So, as you look through this year’s gift guide and start your holiday shopping, think about what you can do to reduce clutter in your home and beyond. Don’t buy things just because they are good deal. Give things that will endure the tests of time.