Comments on: I’m Dreaming of a Minimalist Christmas

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:19:55 +0000

I moved overseas and shed most of our things to do it. I’m firmly entrenched in the idea of minimalism at this point. I’ve already spoken to our obscenely extensive family about trading “experiences” or “services” instead of things with each other for Christmas. Everyone loved the idea. It seemed like a relief. It makes the holidays much less stressful.

By: Jen Machajewski

Jen Machajewski — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 04:09:31 +0000

I am so pleased to find your site. While not at the same minimalist level, I don’t feel any sense of judgement from your posts that I haven’t “given up” as much as you or others. I appreciate that welcome feeling no matter where I am on the path.

I get routinely depressed around the holidays, for many reasons, but one being the very issues with shopping you’ve expressed – as well as many who’ve commented on the blog. I have 2 family members who are cool with the “no one is required to buy and if you choose to gift, no one expects a gift in ‘return’. They get it. But they are a fraction of my ‘obligations’.

With 2 school-age children, husband and I are struggling to find a path from the “extravagant” Christmas of the past to more pared down, activity-based, less-stuff Christmases without crushing their spirits unnecessarily. It’s a slow road, especially with grandparents who do not “get it” let alone support your viewpoint.

We dropped cards ages ago. We do wrapping paper and we do a Christmas tree. We dropped the outdoor lights, mostly for safety (and a very tall house) but it helps in the electric bill and tendency to keep buy MORE lights. We’ve always limited Santa gifts to just 2; 1 they requested and 1 “Santa felt they should have”.

I still wish we had taught them more by example to give handmade gifts or gifts of time to us and each other. But I keep telling myself it is not too late. At 9 and 12, they can still learn (as can I) and we can work toward a happier, more sincere, less depressing Christmas.

Look forward to following you in the new year!

By: miss minimalist

miss minimalist — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:03:27 +0000

Hi KC! I had both the Gluhwein and kartoffelpuffer, and very much enjoyed them. Thanks so much for buying my book — I appreciate your support, and am glad to hear you liked it!

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:19:27 +0000

Corinne, I am very sorry about your job and more so that your family seems not to understand. Could you get them simply a framed photo of your favorite time spent together that year or write them each a special letter or note in pace of the gift thing? I hope so.

We’ve had huge issues on my husband’s side of the family with not wanting to do gift exchanges and it never goes over well either. I give the kids an annual membership to an aquarium (not cheap but worth it) or an award winning educational magazine subscription now which appeases them. We no longer attend one of their parties because of the mandatory gift exchange and every year they are trying to one-up each other. I wish I kept a box in the closet with last year’s gift so I could re-wrap it every year and give it to someone else! I’ve asked them to volunteer with me at a soup kitchen instead but that has never gone over well either.

Best wishes to you. I hope you’ll still find the joy in the holiday, stuff aside.

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:09:47 +0000

We spend Christmas with minimal gifts and I limit gifts from others to one each for the kids (we have in-laws who have a problem with this so in the past I’ve actually unwrapped their gifts in advance and selected one nice one for each kid, then donated the rest BEFORE the holidays). We ask that people give us donations to our favorite charity where we keep our own family donation page. I like to give (and receive) gifts that are either consumable (I’m a huge fan of excellent quality chocolates and teas) or gift cards. I’ve also given and received donations for charities, like Heifer International, or microlenders, like Kiva.

Our day:

1. wake up as late as possible

2. open stockings

3. enjoy a big family breakfast and talk about our favorite things that happened this year and plans for the upcoming year

4. open gifts

5. work up motivation to spend the rest of day either skiing or snowshoeing on our land or ice skating. Winter weather is usually good for one or the other where we live.

6. sauna time and showers

7. after dinner we get together with neighbors and friends for a huge celebration that may or may not involve karaoke…

By: Corinne

Corinne — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:15:17 +0000

A friend of mine sent me this article and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
I have been struggling with the issue of Christmas gift giving with my family for a few years now. This year has been particularly upsetting as I left my job at the end of August and I don’t have any money coming in. With things as tight as they are, I feel that the gift exchange this year is simply not necessary.

When I have approached members of my family, I have been met with a lot of resistance. Their answer is, “You can’t opt out. Just get each of us something small.” My problem with that thinking is that often something small is generally not something the other person wants and I simply don’t understand the concept of having something to unwrap just because it’s Christmas. (I’m also against wasteful wrapping paper and holiday cards.)

The other challenge to getting everyone something small is that you’re the only one doing that. Everyone else is spending hundreds of dollars on each other and you’re only giving one gift. So it’s slightly embarrassing as well, since no one else shares your values.

I am a huge fan of experiential gifts. Like treating each other to lunch or dinner or a small road trip. To me, those gifts are more meaningful and take so much pressure off of spending money unnecessarily.

I’m just glad there are a few more of you out there.

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:27:32 +0000

About 7 years ago, my extended family adopted doing a Chinese Auction gift exchange instead of buynig gifts for everyone. The children were older and only wanted (needed) expensive things, and the adults needed nothing.

It still involves buying one gift, but it is much more about the fun and laughter, singing etc. We have a wonderful dinner that everyone contributes to – even the twenty somethings -and the younger crowd loves to share this event with the special person in their lives. It is a family party no one will miss.

By: tangojuliet

tangojuliet — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:00:03 +0000

around this time of year , i get a small rosemary bush that sits on the windowsill. i love the smell, it sort of looks like fir and I can use the leaves to make rosemary oil and to cook with. By January, I freeze the remaining leaves to use over the upcoming year and i compost the rest. it feels like a hassle free but yet joyful way to celebrate the season.

ps– your blog is wonderful. happy holidays!

By: KC

KC — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:45:23 +0000

I have just noticed the date of this blog entry – you have already been to Cologne nearly a year ago, so ignore my previous email!! :O)

By: KC

KC — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:44:02 +0000

If you are going to Cologne, make sure you have some Gluhwein and kartoffelpuffer with apfelmus(potato pancakes – rosti – with apple sauce) at the Christmas market. I used to live there and enjoyed doing that every year. I recently treated myself to your book (The Joy of Less) and really enjoyed it. Thanks!