I noticed that the one guy said "Well, what I need is socks and underwear" and reminded me of something I read somewhere. Basically the concept is recognizing the differences between want and need and being aware of this during the holidays where everyone wants or feels entitled to one thing or another. The thing I read was targeting parents of young children and recommended instead of asking your children for an open ended Christmas list you do it more fill-in-the-blank style. If I recall correctly: "I want ______. I need ________. I would wear _________. I would read_______." It is interesting that most of the adults of young children fall into the same trap of "Oh! I want a BIG tv!" Whereas that one guy got something that I'm sure he will thoroughly use and needed, even if it isn't as cool. Food for thought. cgod thenewgreen Do you ever worry about rampant consumerism affecting your kids? Do you attempt to do anything about it during the holidays? Or is it just one of those things that is neat and people talk about but never actually happens.
I have a coworker who won't buy her kids anything they've seen on TV, seems a bit extreme but works for her family. We have talked to her about commercials such that we can with a three year old. She knows that they interrupt what we want to watch and are trying to take her money. I think all you can really do is teach kids to decode commercial messages, show them that commercial cultures main goals are to create unhappiness in the victim. At least that is how I see the commercial age, it's goals are to make you want shit you don't need and feel bad about yourself so that someone with a product can make it better. My parents never let me have the stupid (but fun) toys you see in drugstores or supermarkets. I rarely got junky souvenirs when we went on trips. They were harsh about it and I expected that I would not get stuff that I wanted most of the time. I feel like they were overly harsh but at the same time I started working at a young age and worked a lot so I could buy the stuff I wanted when I became old enough and I don't think I often spend my money foolishly. I don't know where the balancing line will be with my Daughter but she at least need to be able to tell when people are trying to manipulate her into being unhappy.
I'm sure at some point I'll have to worry about such things. As it is, I asked my daughter what she wanted for Christmas and she said, "I want a red bear." -Okay, I can do that. Turns out, red bears aren't as easily sourced as you might think. But your question is a good and serious one, combatting consumerism is difficult because you cannot shield them from billboards, their friends, the Internet etc. Sure, I can have no TV in the house but it really doesn't matter unless we live in the middle of nowhere. Values are a real thing though and if your kid sees you valuing material things then chances are they will too. Unfortunately, there comes a time when your kids friends will be as influential to them (or more so) than you are. I guess you have to try and surround them with the right people. -It's going to be a challenge, no doubt about it.
or if she's interested in a weirded out red bear: http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0184/1124/products/Red_Mons...