I love the holiday season. There is something so magical about twinkling lights in the darkness, bundling up in the cold weather, and spending dedicated time with friends and family.
But I really don't love the commercialization, consumption, and clutter of it all. January sessions with clients generally have a lot to purge. I end up hauling away gifts that were never even fully opened or used. We always try to find a good place to donate these unwanted items, but some of them are bound for the landfill.
It is possible to be festive without creating more clutter! Read on for tips and tricks for a more joyful and less consumption-centric holiday season.
Decorate with What You Already Have
I know, the Target and HomeGoods holiday sections are SO cute. Try to resist the temptation to do anything beyond saying "aww" and walking away. And satisfy that urge for something new by shopping your home instead! See what you can re-use and re-work to fill your space with cheer. Try mixing up pieces differently or displaying fewer more special items. These often have a bigger impact than just adding more.
Holiday sales can tempt us into buying decorations or gifts simply because they're discounted. A good question to ask is: "Would I buy this at full price?" The answer is very often no. Buying an item on sale is a lot more expensive than not buying it at all!
Create Meaningful Traditions
Gifts tend to be the center of the holiday season, at least according to the ads. You know, the advertisements that are actively trying to get us to purchase unwanted or unnecessary items? I won't spend too much time on my soapbox, but only you get to decide what matters to you. Billions of dollars are spent every year on marketing by brands who are trying to sell you a different or better life. Their products can't do that for you – only you can do that for you.
With that in mind, try to focus on memories instead of purchases this season. Use your time with your loved ones in a more intentional way! This can look like a lot of things, including:
Holiday movie nights to enjoy old favorites;
Cookie decorating with a crowd;
Looking through old family photos under a cozy blanket;
Creating decorations together with whatever you have at home;
Night walks to look at the decorations and lights in your neighborhood;
Volunteering together at a local organization.
Be Intentional with Gift Giving
If opening a pretty box is a central piece of your holiday tradition, make purchases thoughtfully. Instead of buying for the sake of buying, or loading up on cheap stuff to be able to open a bunch of boxes, try some of the following options:
Ask what people actually want. Many people don't treat themselves to something that they really want if it feels extravagant. It has been a really hard year for a lot of people financially, so a thoughtful gift of something that they have been needing for may be especially appreciated.
Give consumables like coffee, gourmet treats, candles, or specialty spices. If you have time to make them homemade, that is even better. Show your love and care in the time that you spend feeding someone you love, not in buying them something they will just give away next week.
Donate to an organization that is meaningful to your loved one. This is a gift that will the world a better place, honor someone that you care about, and not clutter their home! The process of finding out where to support is also a great opportunity to connect with this person.
Follow a simple guideline like "something they need, something they'll use, something they'll enjoy." If it doesn't fall into one of those categories, keep looking. Or write them a thoughtful card instead of purchasing a gift!
Our team spends every day helping people clear out the things in their home that are not serving them. We are especially busy after the holidays because most people fall victim to the pressure to consume. More is not better. Try to bring a spirit of re-use, meaning, and intention to the holiday season this year and actively share your plan with your loved ones to engage them in this process too. Your homes, wallets, and our shared planet with thank you!
