Christmas is such a special time. But it can become very stressful and overwhelming when we start to see all those ads streaming in our mailboxes, inboxes, and all over our televisions. The latest and greatest can also break the bank, clutter our homes, and cause stress and anxiety during a time that’s supposed to be calm and bright. But there are a few things we can do to keep our Christmas gift giving simple while still enjoying a fun, festive season!
There are 4 things I am trying to do this season to simplify my Christmas gift giving.
Christmas Gift Giving
Set a Budget {and stick to it!}
According to a study done by the National Retail Federation, total holiday spending was over $1 trillion in 2018. The 2018 breakdown on gift buying was:
- 33% expected to spend at least $1000 on gifts.
- 22% expected to spend between $500 and $999.
- 29% expected gift spending to be between $100 and $499.
- 3% planned to spend less than $100.
Christmas doesn’t have to be about the gifts. Yes, we often want to give to those closest to us and that’s not a bad thing! I’m not harping on Christmas gift giving. But I do think that as a society we need to cut back significantly. Our family included!
This year as you set your Christmas budget, I would encourage you to try and cut it back a little more. If all you can squeeze out of your already tight budget is $100, then you can make that work. If you have a little more, that’s great. But set your budget and don’t go over. Buy Christmas within your means.
And please don’t put Christmas on a credit card you can’t pay off in full. Your children, grandchildren, parents, friends, teachers, mailman, hairdresser, etc. would not want you to go into debt to buy Christmas gifts. Buy only what you can afford. Don’t put yourself in a hole in December that you’ll have to spend all of 2020 digging yourself out of.
Opt Out of Gift Exchanges
If it doesn’t bring you joy, opt out of gift exchanges. I’m not talking about the special ones that are meaningful to your family. I’m talking about the one with your co-workers who you barely know or the secret Santa you somehow get talked into each year.
These aren’t important and honestly are just a way to add even more clutter to your home. (How many coffee mugs do we really need?!) Plus they add more to our already long shopping list.
Instead of gift exchanges, spend this money on the top priorities you have this Christmas. This might be buying a few gifts for your kids or giving to a charity that you’re really passionate about.
Choose Clutter-Free Gifts Instead
This year more than any other year, I’m leaning towards clutter-free gifts as much as possible. Last week I shared 70+ clutter-free Christmas gift ideas for both kids and adults so I won’t repeat what I’ve already said. Head over here to read the entire post.
Set Limitations
Don’t feel like you have to cut everything drastically all in one Christmas. If you give 15 gifts on average to your kids each Christmas, cutting down to 3 gifts each might not be feasible. But you can definitely cut back slowly.
It’s just like I always suggest when you are beginning to declutter your home. It’s like peeling an onion. Slow and steady progress is much more achievable and, more importantly, maintainable!
So if you do give your kids 15 gifts on average each Christmas, maybe cut back to 10-12 this year. Aim for a 20-30% reduction until you feel like your Christmas is both simple enough and affordable enough for your family.
I’m not here telling you what to do! But if you’re overwhelmed by all of the gifts you feel like you have to buy, then I want to give you permission to scale back. It’s too stressful on our budgets, on our families, and on our marriages when we spend money we don’t have on Christmas.
We don’t have to keep up with the Joneses. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Because the grass is greenest where it’s watered! So cut back on gifts and give your family, your children, and your friends what they really want. Your time! That’s really what we all crave. What we all long for. Time. Time with one another. So go water your grass you guys!
What Christmas gifts are you most excited to give this season?
Looking for my inspiration to simplify Christmas? Check out these posts: