We did so well with many #challenges during lockdown so what’s one more, right? It’s a mouthful I know, and I’m late with the request but better late than never as the saying goes! Some of you have probably spent the last couple of days unboxing and unwrapping presents some of which were too big to fit under the tree! New cars, homes, trips to private islands. Finally, you have a Plasma in every room of your largely unoccupied house and now even your pets can watch their favourite shows. How about those who’ve chosen this time to remodel their perfectly liveable homes? A number of people also put some massive rings on it and their significant others wasted no time showing their bling off on social media. If only they knew about the scores of poorly paid mine workers or those who don’t make it out of flooded or collapsed mines as they try to dig the rocks you get to show off! You may also be one of those moaning about all the leftovers in your fridge and I bet you there are people in your neighbourhood who haven’t had a decent meal in months. You knew well ahead of ‘the holidays’ that you probably wouldn’t be having guests but still went ahead and prepared plenty of food knowing it would go to waste! Your kids are probably still opening presents or buried under the mountain of toys Santa aka ‘you’ gifted them. Sorry kids, you’re bound to find out sooner or later anyway! Crazy how some parents spent more on wrapping paper and gift boxes than what some less privileged families spent on food the entire month of December! Not too long ago, a mother in Kenya I believe was forced to boil stones to trick her kids into thinking she was preparing food for them, and here we are with parents who just bought their daughters toy kitchen sets which cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars! Wish I could send more than virtual hugs to all the kids out there who didn’t get any presents over Christmas. Hope they at least had something to eat. I’m not saying those with the means shouldn’t get their kids anything at all. It’s just that some parents act like toys are ‘the reason for the season’ and then they want everyone to know what their kids got. Little wonder YouTube’s top earner is a kid who reviews toys! Celebrities and influencers are the worst at bragging over gifts and maybe it’s our fault for going out of our way to find out how these wealthy people spend their money when we should be minding our business! I know it comes with the territory for many of them, while influencers are required to post product reviews to appease their sponsors but still, it comes off as snobbish, especially when they try to make it look like their ‘purchases’ which in many cases are in fact freebies, were a good deal. “Can you guys believe this dress cost just $300?” they go and I’m like, “Girl, there’s nothing ‘only’ about $300!” Some people don’t even make that in months! For those of you who may have saved for several months or even years to finally be in position to afford your dream car or whatever, congrats. I’m really happy for you. Still, that doesn’t give you bragging rights, and showing it off may make someone else feel less accomplished. I know what some of you are thinking. That it’s not your fault you’re doing well and somebody else isn’t and you’re right. It’s not; which is why I didn’t say don’t buy anything at all. By all means do pamper yourself. Local businesses and the economy need your money. Just don’t brag excessively about it in solidarity with those who can’t afford to splurge at this point in time.
