Menu Lifestyle
By Jamie Parker
Updated: November 4, 2020
Originally Published: November 4, 2020
The holiday season is my favorite time of year, and I typically start my celebrations early. This year, I’ve already ordered coordinating Christmas pajamas for my four children, compiled their gift lists for the grandparents, and selected festive cards to send out to friends and family. We usually partake in all the traditions: baking cookies, enjoying Christmas music, wrapping presents, writing letters to Santa, and choosing the perfect outfits for Christmas Eve church services. However, this year has been drastically altered by the challenges of the pandemic.
As parents, we find ourselves at a crossroads. We can either feel guilty and overcompensate by crafting an extravagant holiday experience for our kids, or we can take a different route. What if we opted for a more mindful and simplified holiday this year?
Due to the ongoing health crisis, many of us are canceling our usual holiday gatherings to protect our vulnerable loved ones. We’re also shopping less in stores, depending more on online shopping despite our previous excitement for the holiday shopping hustle. I used to love wandering the aisles of my favorite stores, a warm latte in hand, filling my cart with decorations and gifts. Now, most of my purchases arrive at my doorstep after being ordered online. The reality is that everything has shifted. Our lives are not the same, and the pandemic has left its mark. So how do we celebrate the holidays during such uncertain times?
Ella Thompson, a mother of two and author of the recently published book A Minimalist Christmas: Slow Down, Save Money, and Enjoy a More Intentional Holiday, shared her journey with us. She realized that motherhood pushed her to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. After her first child began walking early, she found herself constantly cleaning and struggling to find time for herself and her creative passions. “I wanted to play with my child, not spend all my time cleaning up,” she noted.
Then came her realization: owning less would mean less clutter and more time for what truly mattered. Through a process of decluttering and reflecting on her consumer habits, she embarked on a journey to create a holiday season that was beautiful yet uncomplicated.
Defining a Minimalist Christmas
At first, I was worried that a minimalist Christmas would mean sacrificing all the joy—no decorations, canceled baking sessions, or uninspired holiday music. But I soon learned that minimalism in the holiday context isn’t about skimping on fun. Ella explained that it’s about being intentional with every aspect of the celebration—your home, your finances, and your time. The goal is to slow down, reduce consumption, and savor the true essence of the holidays: togetherness and presence.
Understanding the Advantages of a Minimalist Christmas
Ella knows the immense pressure that can accompany the holiday season. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to meet societal expectations of a perfect holiday. With advertisers pushing the narrative of needing more, better, and bigger, it’s no wonder we feel drained. Embracing a minimalist Christmas can lead to more quality time with family, reduced physical and emotional stress, and a more joyful holiday experience.
Decluttering Before the Holidays
Ella recommends that we declutter our spaces before the holiday rush begins. This means taking a quick inventory of children’s rooms, winter clothes, baking supplies, and especially the living room, where much of the holiday magic unfolds. The aim is to streamline your environment, freeing up time and energy for activities you love, like baking Grandma’s famous sugar cookies.
When it comes to holiday decorations, Ella advises not to involve the kids in decluttering, as they might resist letting go of items. Discard anything that’s worn, faded, or no longer functional. If a decoration doesn’t hold significant meaning for your family, consider why you’re keeping it. Often, it’s due to guilt or sentimentality that belongs to someone else.
Planning Your Holiday Calendar
Ella suggests starting with any firm commitments—events with specific dates and times. Once those are mapped out, pencil in the traditions that bring genuine joy. This could include picking out a Christmas tree, baking favorite treats, or taking a family outing to admire holiday lights. By scheduling these moments, the season becomes less frantic and more enjoyable.
Establishing a Budget and Gift Expectations
Navigating holiday gift-giving can be tricky, as every family has unique traditions and expectations. Ella emphasizes the importance of setting a holiday budget first. This helps facilitate discussions with family about gift-giving. If you wish to minimize the number of gifts exchanged, consider ideas such as gifting only to children, a book exchange, drawing names, or focusing on experiences rather than physical items. The four-gift rule—something to want, something to need, something to read, and something to wear—can also be a helpful guideline.
Keeping COVID-19 in Mind
The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, including our finances. Ella encourages us to shift the focus from material gifts to experiences, finding joy in traditions that don’t strain the budget. Rather than concentrating all our excitement on a single day in December, let’s spread the joy throughout the season and prioritize quality family time. “I believe that this year can be one of the most magical and memorable because we are being forced to slow down and be present,” Ella asserts.
By intentionally embracing a minimalist holiday season, we may be establishing a new tradition that can carry on into future celebrations. ‘Tis the season to stay safe and enjoy the simple joys of the holidays!
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Summary
This year, consider a minimalist approach to the holiday season. With the challenges posed by the pandemic, simplifying your celebrations can lead to a more meaningful and enjoyable experience. Focus on intentionality in your holiday planning, declutter your space, and prioritize quality family time over material gifts to create lasting memories.