Tiny changes you can make to simplify Christmas
How’s your Christmas prep going?
So far, I’ve had those difficult chats with family where I reiterate that I’m keeping things simple this year and my budget low. They’re pretty used to how I do things now but I still like to set expectations. I’ve sat down with my husband and had a conversation about what we want our Christmas to look and feel like. We’ve pencilled in some ‘us time’ in the lead up so we don’t end up feeling like ships passing in the night.
I’ve written out my present list, set my budget based on what I want to spend, not just affordability. I’ve ordered one present off the list because I’m staggering my budget over two months this year. Then there’s the day with my best friend Jess where we buy some lovely food, lay around in our cosy clothes and watch Christmas films all day instead of doing gifts. That’s in the diary.
The pressure to create the perfect Christmas and bankrupt ourselves in the process is the trend that never goes out of style for the media and I can feel it being aimed at me left, right and centre. I don’t think we have to spend what we can afford and push ourselves unnecessarily. I think we can spend what we want. Money doesn’t equal love in my eyes and nor do gifts, no matter what consumerism tells us. Just because I don’t want to spend £100s on my loved ones definitely doesn’t mean I love them any less.
It’s taken me years to find my own version of Christmas.
Simplifying Christmas can feel like a mammoth task. A thought so terrifying, guilt-ridden and overwhelming you daren’t even attempt it. Let’s face it, in addition to everything else you’ve got to do in the run up, simplifying Christmas can feel like some far off dream life that isn’t for the likes of you. Yet something stirring inside you wants things to change. That’s the part of you who wants good things for yourself. Listen to it.
I’ve written about simplifying my own Christmas for the last two years (see here and here) but this year I wanted to break things down into the tiniest of festive bites for the overwhelmed. As such, here’s a yule tide platter of 25 tiny ways you can simplify Christmas this year with hardly any soul searching or hours of planning required.
I’ve designed this as a well of inspiration for you to pick and choose which ones appeal to you or fit with your lifestyle. You’ll know the ones which jump out at you and which ones don’t. Go with your gut and be brave where you can. I’m right there with you cheering you on. This list may even inspire something completely different, which is great. Just know you don’t have to have a purely manic overwhelming Christmas or a zen like minimalist one. There is a sea of grey in between those two versions and somewhere in there is your own version which works for you.
Simplifying anything isn’t easy and it always requires some trial and error. These are examples of baby steps you can take. Try just one, try them all – each baby step soon adds up.
Give money instead of gifts
Say no to the office party
Set a budget and stick to it
Implement a ‘no credit card this Christmas’ rule
Use the decorations you’ve already got instead of buying new ones
Share out tasks so you’re not doing everything
Suggest a secret Santa so you’ve got less to buy
Give Christmas cards a miss
Try one meaningful gift per person
Do half a day with relatives that exhaust you instead of a full day
Serve just one fail safe desert instead of ten different options
Schedule some time for yourself (even if it’s just a really long DO NOT DISTURB bath)
Go for a fairy lights only look on your tree
Don’t have a tree at all
Give the outside lights a miss this year
Buy pre-prepared food
Don’t buy presents for extended family
Buy a present per extended family instead of per member of that family
Tell that nightmare relative that sensitive topic you dread them bringing up is off the table until after Christmas
Schedule the must dos first and then see what you’ve got time left for
Do all your shopping online
Drop the ‘best Christmas ever’ mindset and make ‘good enough’ your mantra
Schedule a phone night in complete with your drink and snacks of choice instead of travelling to see a friend in person
Allow yourself to break tradition if it doesn’t fit your diary or budget this year
Give yourself permission to tell a white lie to get out of something you really don’t want to do
Got any more suggestions? Let me know if you decide to try any in the comments below or on Instagram (I’m @jessicarosewilliams).
