Minimalist Christmas: Can You Enjoy it Without All the ‘Stuff’?
Can you enjoy a Christmas with no presents?
Ok, so maybe not NO presents! But last year I decided on a minimalist Christmas.
It came about because I have a big family (separated parents tend to do that!) and last year Mark and I didn’t have jobs lined up for January. My contract was coming to an end and Mark had been made redundant.
Every year, people spend money they don’t often have, to buy presents people don’t need (or want).
Social convention tells us that Christmas is a time for giving. Even if that means putting Christmas presents on a credit card. Social convention also tells us that we don’t talk about money, especially if money is tight.
Well, last year I decided to say ‘f**k it’ to social convention. I didn’t want to feel the financial stress going into a new year with uncertainty about a job. I told my siblings I wanted to be taken out of present buying. My Dad, Stepmum and I did the same, opting to spend time together rather than buying each other presents.
My festive period was a lot less stressful as a result. But I’m not going to lie, when I saw how little presents we had under our tree I wondered if I was going to feel like Christmas wasn’t really Christmas. I shouldn’t have worried though. Sure there was less to open on Crimbo morning, but there was also less to find a place for.
I’m aware this sounds very bah-humbug, but in a world where we all have too much ‘stuff’, it’s not going to do us any harm to get a few less presents. Plus there are so many better ways to show people that you care rather than with a gift set from Boots 3 for 2 range.
In a world where we’re all so busy, giving the gift of time is one of the best things we can do. The warm, fuzzy feeling you get from a day with some of your favourite people will last a lot longer than the time it takes to open a present.
Here are some things I like about the festive period more than presents:
- Christmas markets
- Mulled wine
- Decorating the Christmas tree
- Christmas movies (check out my top five Christmas movies here)
- Dinner out with friends
- ALL the Christmas food
- My Christmas Eve tradition; going to see It’s A Wonderful Life with my family. THE best thing about Christmas!
Last year I wrote an alternative gift list, non-materialist ideas to show your loved one just how much you care.
Do you think you would enjoy a minimalist Christmas?
