...potlatches, in which they would give away or destroy much of their worldly goods...

That's a great solution! Dumping my old stuff at the Goodwill truck just isn't as personal, is it?

The ladies in my book group routinely bring books and magazines they don't want to our meetings. There is a sort of free pile in the center of the table and anyone can take anything on their way out. Actually, once a lady brought a pair of new trousers to give away as well, so maybe this is turning into a kind of suburban potlatch. What's next, I wonder?