Material Obesity / Stuffocation

2 phrases i picked up on over the last few days, Material Obesity and Stuffocation.
Basically being snowed under with too much `stuff` or the constant need to buy and surround ourselves with `Things`.
As I grow older I notice how society has changed, how more unconnected we are in a more connected world and how we have exchanged `things` and `stuff` for people.  
Maybe its got me thinking because today is Black Friday and the internet is full of promotions to buy and keep buying more `Stuff and Things` as to reach that point of Material Obesity or maybe it because what we are doing ourselves with the TeX shop this time of year and The Time of Gifts. Our Time of Gifts are exactly that, Gifts and we give away for free. Yesterday it was coats and 17 have gone so far this week, today it is bedding and curtains and a lot has gone off the shelves in just a few hours. We ask for nothing in exchange but we often find that we get repaid over and over again through smiles of gratitude, a small donation of fabric to help in our textile workshops or even a pack of biscuits and this is far more than we expect.
I guess what i am getting at is waste and the situation society is in regarding waste. Capitalism will often drive the direction that increases waste through promotion and sales where we find we try to enable people to cut waste and constant consumption through gifting, swapping and sharing more in our communities. Our Time of Gifts being a good example and how we go about things through encouraging people to do different, free goods on the high street and we hope a happier community for it. If it sets up a happy day for someone, if it enables someone to have curtains instead of blankets in the windows then surely its a good thing and something we should all be doing, helping others a little less fortunate and especially this time of year.
I know i am often bogged down and over come with Stuffocation and to be able to de clutter at times is good for me; it like lifting that heavy, wet overcoat from your shoulders and the relief that comes with it and if i can help others in doing so, helping them by helping me, then its not a bad thing at all.
So today, you can keep your Black Friday and Material Obesity. I`m offloading, sharing and giving away the extras and I hope in doing so I can help others just that little bit.