Parents, get ready for the next viral TikTok trend this holiday season: The Christmas List PowerPoint. Last year, a TikTok of Kristiana Tiana and her pricey Christmas list presentation went viral and stirred debate. This year, kids are catching on, trying to persuade their parents with slideshows, often posting them on social media. This trend is still creating conversation about whether this is impressive ingenuity and savvy or an exercise is materialism or… a little bit of both.
Old Tradition Meets New Media
More and more kids are forgoing handwritten lists and snail mail letters to Santa. Instead, they are using technology to convey their wishes to family and friends. Some kids are giving in-person presentations to skeptical parents, complete with links and sometimes persuasive arguments about why those very expensive pair of sneakers are a good buy. Others are getting even more creative with TikTok videos, containing photos of the items they want, accompanied by notes revealing the specifics (“these in pink, but if they’re out of pink, black is cool”) and video clips of themselves.
Parental Conundrum
Parents are divided on what to think about this mixing of technology, social media, and holiday traditions. Some think that it’s slick and convenient, making it easier for parents and family to buy gifts their kids will actually like. They appreciate their children’s creativity and ingenuity, loving the modern twist on a generational tradition.
Others are not so impressed. They worry that social media has co-opted the innocence of the season and that these high-tech Christmas lists only encourage materialism and entitlement. Sarah Bregel of Fast Company reflects, “..it’s not hard to see why they’re asking for so much—they’re essentially overwhelmed with their favorite products on social media, where influencers flaunt Stanley water bottles and Taylor Swift merch. Suddenly, uber-expensive swag starts to look like standard must-haves, which leaves some parents with the task of telling their kids that the video lists are starting to remind them of an episode of MTV’s Cribs.
New Trend/Old Struggle
A concern about materialism overwhelming the “reason for the season” or holiday spirit is not new. The tug of war between Christmas generosity and the bombardment of marketing, urging consumers to yearn for the next “new thing” can be a constant struggle for parents and kids alike. This new trend is just the latest example of how our youngest generations are navigating the season. As with Christmas lists that have come before, how our kids approach this tradition and how we react to it is up to us!
