“It’s not how much we give” said Mother Teresa, “ but how much love we put into giving.”
Here are our tips for simple ways to get maximum enjoyment out of Christmas, with minimal consumerist stress.
You probably won’t be too surprised to learn that between November 1, 2015 and January 15, 2016, Australian retailers saw approximately $63.6 billion in holiday sales.
With so much time and energy being spent on finding the “perfect gift”, are we actually missing out on the main point of the holiday season, which, regardless of your faith, is really a time to relax, laugh and unwind with loved ones?
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the Christmas chaos, consider bringing some minimalism to the table this festive season. Minimalist philosophy is basically about, well, being minimal. It encourages people to focus less on having stuff, and more on the important things, such as time, health, family, or whatever that might be to you. Now we’re not saying to you have to get all Steve Jobs or anything, but the tycoon behind Apple may have been on to something with his emphasis on living the simple life.
Give experiences, not things
Rather than buying cheap stocking fillers that will be lost/broken/forgotten within a month, why not give someone a memory they’ll never forget? Whether it’s organising a group cooking class, a paddleboard outing, or planning a family bushwalk, it’s often the gift of your time and company that your loved ones will remember.
Give gifts that grow
A potted herb garden, or a bright sunflower will give ongoing joy and beauty. And it will negate all those greenhouse gasses produced by some of the gifts you could’ve bought. According to research commissioned by Planet Ark, interacting with plants can make people happier, healthier, brighter and calmer!
Give of your time
Consider giving the gift of a donation to a charitable cause, or even participating in one yourself. See our list of 5 ways to give back this Christmas for more ideas.
Reduce wrapping
Think about the amount of trees, dyes and chemicals that get put into making cards and gift wrap each year. Then think about how much of that is put into landfill. Seems like a waste of energy right? Why not wrap your gifts in something that is also, well… a gift? Grab some vintage scarves from an op shop, or “wrap” your gifts in a reusable tote bag. Our friends at Baggu have some great tips:
DIY Decorations
Rather than spending money on loads of generic decorations, consider making your own personalised ones. These can also be lovely gifts, and making them is a fun way to entertain the kids during the holidays.
Here are a few of our favourite ideas from around the internet, but feel free to share some of your own!
Make your own wreath
A friend gave me a handmade wreath out of bay leaves. I love it! This great rosemary wreath would also go down a treat!
Create gorgeous candle holders
These beautiful orange rind candle holders will look sensational, smell divine, and you can blend the leftovers into a nice cold pitcher of OJ!
Craft from the heart
I used to love making Julehjerter, or Danish woven heart baskets as a kid – so easy and fun! Hang them on the tree, hide little presents in them, use them as envelopes. Pro-tip: recycle cards or gift wrap from previous years to make these decorations truly unique and sustainable.
The ethos of minimalism is all about simplicity and need-based possessions. Taking the time to think of a meaningful gift or even craft it ourselves is a wonderful opportunity. It allows us to reflect on our loved ones and give a gift that truly means something.
Do you have any tips for a more minimal Christmas? Please share them with us, we’d love to hear from you!
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Yvette likes writing, reading and long walks on the beach. She has been described as a crazy cat lady more than once in her time, and is actually quite okay with that.
Images via Unsplash
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on December 23 2015 and has been updated by Kendall Benton-Collins.
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