Christmas to me means lots of family, lots of food, lots of cocktails, lots of presents, and lots of stress trying to make it all perfect and getting everything done before the celebration. But does it have to be that way? Is it possible to have a minimalist Christmas?

Will the kids be mad they didn’t get more presents?

What will your friends say when they don’t get a Christmas card this year?

What if we didn’t decorate every room in the house?

Maybe you don’t have to max out your credit card.

What does it mean to have a minimalist Christmas?

A minimalist Christmas means only doing the things that feel good to you and letting go of what you think is expected of you. It means having the time to do what you want to do because you choose what brings you joy. It means doing things simply. Buying based on need instead of having more stuff. Trying to reduce the amount of space we take up with our material possessions.

That sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

I would love to enjoy this season and not let it pass by too fast. Take time to watch a few holiday movies and listen to my favorite carols. Make snow angels and build snowmen. Stick with healthy eating and exercise and do not feel the pressure to indulge in every treat or cocktail presented to me. Enjoy the time the holiday gives me with my kids and family.

How do we accomplish that?

Ideas for Celebrating a Minimalist Christmas

Be Intentional

• Pick a budget
• Decide what parties to attend. You don’t have to go to them all.
• Have a plan for where you are celebrating and let the hosts know.
• Pick a day to bake your favorite cookies.
• Decide how many gifts you will buy your children and let that be enough.

Gift Giving

• Make sure you are not buying things that add clutter to someone else’s home. That includes their closet.
• Try to be intentional about what you are going to buy. Have a plan and do some research ahead of time. That way, you won’t be roaming the malls and grabbing something just to have something to wrap.
• Consider buying experiences instead of material things. Gift cards, memberships, passes, lesson fees, subscriptions, or audiobooks are all great ideas.
• Buy them something that will grow: herbs, flowers, or small plants. According to Planet Ark, interacting with plants can make people happier, healthier, brighter, and calmer!
• Instead of running around trying to search for the perfect gift for your parents, grandparents, or neighbors, take that time and visit them. That will last longer in their memories than any gift you are trying to find.

Decorations

• Be simple about it. I know I always drag down at least 20 boxes of decorations I’ve accumulated, but I only use about half of it once I start decorating. Every year I become simpler. Put out less stuff and leave room for some space. Get rid of the things you don’t use anymore. Save for your kids, give to goodwill and throw away the broken items.
• Use greens, branches, and pine cones from the outdoors to decorate. Make your own Holiday Planters.
• Don’t feel like you have to keep up with everyone else.
• On the other hand, if decorating your house brings you joy, go for it! When you can share the beauty of Christmas with friends and family, that is a gift!
• The point is just to be you and do what feels good.
• Check out this article on Spruce for more ideas!

Gift Wrap

• Avoid wrapping paper with glitter, metallic, or plastic on it. They are not recyclable. Neither are most bows and ribbons.
• Keep it simple and creative. Use brown Kraft paper. You can get a 100 ft roll for $13.00 on Amazon. Then get creative with how you present it.
• Instead of buying all of those gift bags for wrapping, use lunch bags! Again, use your creative side to spice them up.
• You could also wrap gifts in scarves or towels, and they become an extra gift.
• Print out a picture of the recipient to add to your gift. Tie with string or twine.
• Make your own gift tags or print out the ones I made! You can find them on my Resources Page under Just For Fun. Sign up for the password!

A few more thoughts

• You don’t have to send Christmas Cards to 100 people. You choose whether that feels good and is within your budget.
• Writing a card to family and friends you won’t see over the holidays might mean more.
• Turn off social media while you are celebrating with your family. Be in the moment and don’t feel the need to compare or feel less than.
• I have several nieces and nephews from divorced families. That creates stress trying to get to all of the households—Plan where you will go and let everyone know. You can’t be everywhere, and trying to do that will take the joy right out of the day. Maybe you can switch it up every other year so that no one feels left out.
• Cut back on the excess and stay focused on family, friends, and honoring the true meaning of Christmas.
• If you have little kids or grandkids, the joy they get from opening a few presents that they can play with is priceless. That’s the kind of joy I choose!

I’m excited to pair down this year for Christmas. It won’t be a sparse one by any means, but I want only to do the things that feel good and bring me joy. I am letting go of what I think is expected and doing my version of a minimalist Christmas!

What do you think? Is it time for you to do that too?

“Reminder: We don’t have to continue holiday traditions that leave us broke, overwhelmed, and tired.” Rachel Jonat