Yes, Virginia, Minimalists Still Celebrate Christmas

I am often asked out here in minimalist land if we still pull out all the stops and celebrate Christmas?  Do we have lots of decor and gift buying?  The answer to those queries is: well, sorta.

Many who know me or who kindly read my blog know my question/answer determiner is "does it add value to my life?"  I can tell you 200 Santa figurines, regardless of how valuable or who might have given them to me, do not add value to my holiday life.  It's just a mound of clutter to be displayed after Thanksgiving and boxed up at the new year.  

I have collected Hallmark ornaments for >20 years.  In recent years, Hallmark has produced way more each season than they did when I started.  Now, I buy only one a year, the NFL football guy.  I was a bit tardy in picking up Cam Newton, the 2017 pick, at the Hallmark store this year.  Multiple reprimands came from my children when they couldn't find this year's guy in the tree.  

Each one of the football great ornaments adds value to our lives.  My husband and boys comment on their post NFL successes, that Michael Vick still doesn't get to hang on our tree, and how Hallmark only picked Michael Oher because of the movie "The Blind Side", one of their mother's favorites.   

Last year I took the plunge and THREW AWAY each ornament's respective box.  "They won't hold their value!" they said.  "How will you know what you have?" they cried.  When I say "they", I mean my friends and readers who were aghast I would defile a collection by tossing the boxes in which they came.  THIS year, we put the ornaments on the tree in half the time, which indeed added value to my life.  My sports loving guys know who each player is, so no need to keep identifying boxes.  

I was made aware last year that some friends actually have fewer Christmas decoration boxes than I, so I made it a mini-mission to decreased the swell by one each year for the next few years. It's never a competition, but I realized I must walk the walk better if I continue to espouse minimalism. 

With regard to gifts, sure, we exchange.  I received a gift from a dear friend this year right before we broke for the holidays.  It was a book she had read and knew I would love, so she got me a copy.  Often, when people receive a gift and are unprepared with a reciprocating gift, the first thing they exclaim is "but I don't have anything for you!!"  I wonder how that makes the gift-giver feel?  Hey, I found this perfect thing for you but now you have made it uncomfortable by making the situation about equal exchange and not this perfect thing?!

I opened the book, had heard of it and knew I would love it as well, tried to accept graciously and commended my friend for her excellent choice!  It was a wonderful way to receive because the gift was selected without obligation.  It's my favorite way to be gifted.  

My kids are big now, and both said to me they didn't really need anything for Christmas, but they are human and consumers, so came up with a few desires.   I still enjoy watching them open gifts and know that they are happy with their hobbies or their wardrobes.  But clamoring on Black Friday for the toy of the year?  Glad that is done and over.  

The last two years we took a family trip leaving Christmas Day.  The kids don't care about a big meal, and Hubby would rather board a plane than worry about mashed potatoes.  Travel is easy on Christmas Day and we are still full of Christmas spirit, thanking all the folks at the airport for working so we can travel!  

Here are my minimalist pro-tips for a happy and meaningful holiday:

• Don't stress over traditions.  Yes, I know you ALWAYS go ice skating at that same place, but this year, Junior has the flu and nobody wants to leave the house when the weather's bad. So skip it.  Christmas will still come.  
• Big meals are overrated.  Order some Chinese take out, or have everyone bring appetizer and call it a night.  It's about the people, not perfection.
• We're adults.  Don't force us into spending into debt to buy gifts for a zillion people on the list.  Nieces and nephews don't need more volume just because they are under 13.   Maybe offer up some cash to contribute to a pricier big gift your brother couldn't afford for his kid this year.  Or don't.  Because Christmas will still come! 
• Ignore everyone's resplendent tree pics on Insta that are overflowing with packages.  They aren't better parents than you.  You're good who and what you are.  Ask your kids what they got for Christmas last year.  Can they recall more than one thing?  Nope.  And they got a lot.  

Enjoy the holiday for what it is and what is has meant to you in your life.  Make a few goals for the new year, but reflect in what you did this year that was great. Don't rush to the store on December 26 to buy more stuff you thought you wanted, or storage boxes for the ever present excess in your home.   Just enjoy the lights and the season.  It's free and needs no storage. 

Merry Christmas, Minimalist friends!