As a mother of three, writer Karen Stiller knows a thing or two about the Christmas giving commotion. She describes how her family has cut back to a more meaningful season by focusing on the important things Christmas has to offer—instead of just gifts.
Christmas, often despite our best intentions, tends to be a time of over-consumption of absolutely everything, when people who already have too much get even more.
Even the most enlightened of globally-conscious, energy-saving, poverty-aware, recycling-committed, statistic-talking activists can find themselves in the bowels of a shopping mall buying unnecessary stuff for unnecessary gifts. And often feeling really uncomfortable because the whole experience suits them as badly as the sweater they got last year from Aunt Joyce.
How can we cut back and still experience the joy of the holiday season?
Start with yourself
You can set the cutting back tone by liberating family and friends from purchasing excess gifts for you. Direct them to World Vision’s Gift Catalogue and ask them to buy a gift to honour you from there. Or, simply request that people only give you one gift, if they normally give you seven.
Gently explain that you are trying to simplify the season, and your life, that you don’t need more stuff, and that you feel you need to be the one to start the sacrificing. You just may find others take your lead.
Move on to the kids
During one particularly taxing Christmas gift-wrapping marathon I realized I had simply bought way too much for our three children. I couldn’t possibly give them 14 gifts each, let alone wrap 42 gifts in one sitting.
That was the turning point moment when we realized that the lavish way we did Christmas didn’t really jive with what we said was important the rest of the year. We sat our kids down and said that instead of an excess of little things, we were going to buy them three great gifts each. It would be less, but in the end it would be more because they were higher quality, longer lasting and better-made attractions. It’s better for the environment (much less plastic) better for our home (much less junk) and better for their hearts (much less greed).
Keep it Simple and Fair
If you must shop for presents, consider the many fair-trade alternatives that are out there. Ten Thousand Villages offers beautiful fair-trade gift items, usually available online to make it even easier. Your local craft or artisan cooperative is another great place to spend. You are supporting local producers, cutting back on shipping and transport fees and often purchasing a unique item that recipients will treasure.
Or, of course, consider giving the gift of an experience, like dinner brought to your door or free babysitting for those who live nearby, or concert tickets for family in another province.
One Step at a Time
During a season when there is already way too much to do, consciously cutting back on gifts, spending and general excess can feel like just another obligation. Don’t let it. View it as a life-giving, season-honouring choice that you will not regret. And take it one step at a time. One small change this year will energize you for even more next year.
Check out this interactive Christmas game, for tips on how you can cut back on seasonal chaos.
Still shopping for that friend who has everything? Give a meaningful gift.
