You’ve just spent months purging and decluttering your home, and now Christmas is approaching. You know that means extra clutter will come into your home, while you’ll feel the need to spend money on buying gifts. Gift giving can really contradict the desire to live a minimal and simple lifestyle. But there are lots of ways you can handle gift giving as a minimalist so you can still enjoy the holidays!
I have a whole separate post on how you can Simplify the Holidays!
TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS/FAMILY ABOUT IT
First of all, have a conversation with your friends and family about this. Chances are they already know that you’ve been trying to pursue a more minimal lifestyle.
Suggest doing an activity, or just having each other over for dinner instead of exchanging gifts. There’s a good chance they feel the same way about buying gifts, but didn’t want to say anything!
EXPERIENCES INSTEAD OF THINGS
I know I just mentioned this, but I feel like it needs it’s own category. An amazing way to do gift giving as a minimalist is to purchase or ask for experiences. Have you been wanting to join a yoga studio, but it wasn’t in the budget? Ask for a monthly membership. Do you love going to the movies with your spouse, but don’t go often because it’s expensive? Ask for a gift card to do that. Is there a play that you know your mom would love? Buy tickets for you and her to go together!
Here’s a list of 50 Gift Ideas That aren’t Things!
DISCUSS GIFTS/BUDGETS WEEKS IN ADVANCE
Don’t show up on Christmas day and make that the time you break it to your family that you didn’t buy gifts because you didn’t want to go into debt.
But a few weeks or months before Christmas, talk to your family and friends and let them know that you don’t want a whole bunch of new physical items that will clutter your home.
If you are still planning on purchasing gifts for someone, discuss a budget ahead of time that is reasonable for both of you.
DO YOUR SHOPPING EARLY
I find that if I do my Christmas shopping early, I spend less money and I buy better gifts. When I leave it until the last minute, I feel panicked and just end up buying something for the sake of buying it.
But this also means that if you’re finished your shopping by the end of November, don’t keep buying more items! Once you’re done, STOP SHOPPING.
ASK FOR ITEMS YOU ACTUALLY NEED
My husband and I have been doing this for years, and while it may not be as exciting, I actually love it. Instead of buying random, trendy items for Christmas that you’ll forget about within a few months, take the opportunity to invest in items that you actually need.
A new winter coat, or a gym membership. My husband and I often even do home projects instead of buying gifts. So instead of spending hundreds of dollars on gifts, we’ll put it towards a home project like replacing a few light fixtures, or adding a feature wall!
If this helped you with ways to practice minimalism during the Christmas season, be sure to pin it for later or to share with a friend!
