Flashy lights and shiny decorations pull American customers in during the holiday season. This marketing tactic, catching the eyes of people walking by, appeals to the “need” of holiday spending. We all want to get our lovers two turtle doves for the second day of Christmas, but the waste from our holiday spending kills more than that.
National Statistics:
The United States is the largest consumer economy in the world, responsible for 29% of global consumer spending. For the average American, spending peaks during the holiday season, also known as the fourth quarter. Even with inflation still bearing down on the economy, the National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts one trillion dollars in holiday spending, a record high for the nation. Retail spending rose 4.1% on Black Friday, according to Mastercard data. This recent economic data implies that spending continues to increase within the United States. When inflation is accounted for, we see the expected growth rate is lower than 4%. The current inflation rate in the U.S. is approximately 3%, meaning that proportional spending growth is closer to 1%.
Spending Expectations:
Gifting may be a person’s love language, showing someone you are thinking of them, and spreading holiday cheer. However, the expectation to give gifts to everyone you care about can be stressful. Not only is it hard to find and afford gifts, but many Arcata High School students stated they would rather give with intent, not just spend impulsively to fulfill expectations. Some express their concerns with how wasteful it can be.
Getting someone something useless may get thrown away or sit for years and end up in the trash either way. An alternative to this is making gifts or even giving away baked goods that they know will not go to waste.
Holiday Waste:
The holiday season is a time when people all across the country and the world come together. Everything from small get-togethers to all-out holiday celebrations is ubiquitous. But, between all the traveling, gift wrapping, and feasting, the environment takes the strain of our increased activity. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, the United States produces an estimated 25% more waste, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The majority of holiday waste can be attributed to an excess of disposable items like packages and wrappings. These items are often quickly discarded and contribute to the landfill system. One way people help to reduce environmental impact is by choosing to purchase locally made gifts. Buying locally helps cut down transportation emissions costs and creates less packaging waste compared to imported items.
Art teacher Kayla Gaskill shares how she tries to shop at local businesses for gift-giving, while supporting the community. She takes an even further step to reduce waste by giving her own gifts to others, knowing she will not use them. “Regifting?” she asked. “Oh yeah!”
Approximately 27% of Arcata High School students spend $50-$100 on holiday gifts. Redirecting this money into local businesses helps reduce environmental waste and supports the local economy.
