When it comes right down to it, nothing i've ever bought has made me as happy as my son, husband, family or friends.
Sometimes I want things for practical reasons, and I may be lured by the 'better' thing. Sometimes that's an unnecessary luxury, but sometimes it's so it lasts longer or works better. But honestly, I think that's about the extent of my materialism these days.
I HATE the idea of buying lots of plastic crap for my son just because it's christmas or whatever. And it depresses me sometimes all the useless junk we've accumulated over the years - often bought 'just because' - that ends up forgotten at the back of shelves or packed away in boxes. When I feel the urge to buy 'stuff' I try to remind myself of all the other stuff we already have and don't need.