"New year, same old problems. In the cold light of early January, when I take stock of my myriad failings, a few vows invariably appear on my list of resolutions. Spend more time reading books. Stay up past 9:30 p.m. every so often. Be a truly excellent giver of gifts. The last one has proven the hardest to manifest. The Lauren of my wildest dreams is always on the lookout for perfect tokens of affection, no matter the time of year."
"Late last month I found myself with a single item in my holiday hamper-a Canadian planner that I bought for my London, Ontario-born mother. One gift down, nine to go. The flurry of Black Friday emails was not getting me in the mood. So many lists! So much stuff! It was while unsubscribing from a particularly aggressive online retailer that an idea struck:"
She resolves to improve as a gift-giver and often struggles to find meaningful presents under time pressure, with a single successful gift example of kiwi green Japanese slipper-socks. A holiday panic left her with only one purchased item and a wave of Black Friday emails amplified her frustration. She reframed holiday shopping as a treasure hunt and committed to buying only vintage, antique, used, or preloved items. The approach aims to counter unthinking consumerism, environmental waste, and formulaic gift guides. The strategy aligns with shifting consumer behavior, with about 86% of Gen Zers more likely to buy secondhand holiday gifts. Anything without a past life was excluded, emphasizing the value of objects with histories.
Read at Architectural Digest
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