A characteristic feature, ascribed to contemporary culture, is a domination of consumption, which spreads over almost all domains of life, and is becoming the main value. The article deals with the problem of consumption and its place in the hierarchy of values in the Polish society. The authoress analyzes the changes in the amount and in the consumption structure of Polish households that took place in the 1990s, which can be observed from the point of view of the present changes within the system of values. A significant amount of consumption in disposable income in the analyzed period of time is the result of relatively low real incomes and of relatively low living standard of Polish households compared to the developed countries which influences a relatively high propensity for consumption until now. Undoubtedly, the increase in material aspirations of the Polish society is also an effect of the spread of the common cultural patterns on an international scale. The changes in the system of values within contemporary societies are due to stronger globalization processes, what is reflected in their lifestyles, including consumption behaviour patterns