In this digital age, there's not much we don't, or won't, share on social media. We're never too far from our precious phones and we find it hard to go a day without posting a pic of our lunch on Instagram, or tweeting about said amazing lunch on Twitter. We’re hooked.
Even when it comes to special events that would normally be kept between friends and family, it seems we've thrown our privacy out of the window. Our wedding dress? Show the world! First snaps of our gorgeous new nephew still wrapped up in the hospital blanket? Why not! Inappropriate selfies with your boss at your work's Christmas bash? Guilty!
But when it comes to Christmas day, how much sharing is too much? After all, it is a time when we're supposed to do nothing but lounge around watching Christmas films, eat endless mince pies and pick at our left over dinner (pfft, like we have leftovers). Should we really be uploading pictures of our OOTD, turkey snaps or that amazing gift our boyfriends got us this year? Or should we all be enjoying spending time with family, exchanging the gifts we’ve spent hours hunting down and generally being merry?
For most of us, it feels wrong to be sharing the day with our virtual social media friends, but we still do it. Why though? Dr Ben Voyer, a social psychologist at ESCP Europe business school, says it's all to do with status and how the Internet has invaded our family sphere. 'People like to portray themselves as recipients of presents, which gives them a certain status.' And that our normal family chats don't just include our actual family members anymore who are in the room with us, instead they include 'an extended circle of friends, connected to the family sphere via social media.' So basically, we all like to pretend we're popular and show off to our extended, virtual family. We’re all a bunch of boasters.
So how much sharing is too much? And how can we limit it? Here are a few tips:
Love thy family, and all that
Yes, I know sometimes they drive us mad but nowadays most of us live far from our families, and don't actually spend that much time with them. When you think about it, is giving them our full attention for one day really THAT big of a deal? It may be boring entertaining Uncle Jim* with another game of Monopoly (sorry Jim, but after the third, it’s tiring), but isn’t that what the Christmas spirit is all about? Spending time with loved ones?
If you really have to check your mentions on Twitter, or upload a pic of your Christmas attire, then copy my friend Sally who times her a quick Facebook check with everyone else's obligatory afternoon nap. Sorted.
Know your limits!
If you really can't stay away from your Facebook feed, then maybe try limiting yourself to just a few posts/checks throughout the day? Maybe give yourself six updates (that's plenty, surely?) and then you can mix them around. You could have three Facebook scans, two cheeky tweets and a little Instagram pic. It kind of sounds festive if you sing it to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas. (You're totally trying it, aren't you?)
Do not do the following, unless you’re a prat
Don’t be one of those annoying people who constantly boast about what they’ve been given. Yeah, we get that you’ve been good all year and the big guy in red has rewarded you with countless pairs of shoes and sparkly things, but not everyone is as lucky. Just don’t be a dick.
Dr Voyer says it’s all to do with 'the instant gratification from showcasing ourselves and receiving validation from others.' So when we get likes, we feel like we’ve made it.
Oh and FYI, no one wants to see pictures of your annual drunken Christmas Eve pub crawl sick on your neighbour’s lawn or yet ANOTHER picture of a turkey on Instagram. Certain things do not need to be shared online and not even the Lo-Fi can make a raw bird look good.
Be a trend-setter
Apparently, 2015 is going to be the year of the anti-tech. Meaning we're all going to dump our smartphones in favour of going digital-free. In Hotwire’s annual Digital Trends Report, they said we’re all going to be ditching social media and choosing a simpler life. They’re calling it the 'Neo-Luddite.'
We all love following a new trend (admit it, you gave double denim a go didn’t you?) so why don’t we show off how cool we are and be AHEAD of the trend by indulging in a little social media detox over Christmas? You could try deleting your apps for a few days over Christmas and then downloading them again after Boxing Day. Or if that’s a little too drastic, maybe just leave your phone in your bedroom during the day? You may be surprised how much you enjoy it. Obvs use it to check The Debrief instantly as soon as you go and rescue it in the evening.
Use your creativity and be a little innovative!
If you're still too attached to your significant digital other (AKA your mobile) then maybe try and use your social media in a slightly different way this year. Instead of sending thank you cards, you can use your Instagram to create a fancy collage and tag your loved ones in it. Or try only sharing pictures which show the true meaning of Christmas, like a 'family photo all wearing festive jumpers, because otherwise why would we even bother to drive home for Christmas?' You could always just give them a ring and do it the old-fashioned way…
And on that note, put your phone down, and have a lovely Christmas.
*Please note; No Jims were offended during the writing of this article. I don’t have an uncle Jim. It was actually my brother.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.