TikTok suggests that you plan a dinner. Is this a true indicator of recession?
Sharing your food has become the true indicator of wealth today.
TikTok has generated a phenomenon around dinners that sparks reflections on social classes and culture, especially in an economic context like that of April 2025. Although not everyone can afford an ostentatious lifestyle, digital platforms invite us to partake in dinner season, where ideals of luxury are evident in every post. The trend is not centered on simple meals or potlucks, but on elaborate presentations with lavish tables, stunning floral arrangements, and fine china that seem to highlight status.
Historically, food has been a symbol of wealth. In the 18th century, pineapples were a rare luxury, and in the 19th, only the wealthiest could include celery in their daily diet. During the Victorian era, dinners represented an opportunity to strengthen social connections and were reserved for those who had the time and resources to host such events. Today, with rising food prices, the freshness of products has become a marker of status.
Nowadays, trendy spots like certain bakeries on TikTok and high-end products in supermarkets have transformed into cultural symbols comparable to urban fashion. Recent observations show public figures showcasing their wealth by displaying luxurious food products, such as advertisements featuring Hailey Bieber holding colorful vegetables.
The concept of "tradwifes" also reflects an ideal that, while unattainable for many, highlights the time and dedication spent preparing food from scratch. Designer marquee displays now include food as part of their everyday fashion, merging the essential with the merely aesthetic. According to trend experts, the perception of food as luxury items has grown over the past decade, and the ostentation of these items has become normalized on social platforms.
Questioning whether this focus on food products can be a true indicator of recession is valid, given the observed shift in how signals of wealth manifest. While an increase in dinners may not necessarily indicate a real economic decline, it somehow reflects a new way of displaying status. In a future where acquiring basic sustenance may be a struggle for many, showcasing the purchase and preparation of food as symbols of fortune could become the most accessible way to flaunt wealth.