Let’s talk about the upcoming holiday season.
In the past, I’ve put too much pressure on myself or wasn’t honest about my own expectations. I crammed my calendar and felt like I was frantically running from one thing to the next and missing out on enjoying any of it.
It’s a work in progress.
Over the last few years, I’ve incorporated minimalism into my holiday celebrations to be more present and focus on the things that really bring me joy. And seriously, it’s made all the difference! Here are a few easy ways to start:
Define Your Holiday Happiness
What will truly make this holiday season happy and memorable for you? Put aside ALL cultural and family expectations for a minute and just think about you.
Maybe you just want to spend as much time with family as possible, or maybe you want to bless family and friends by creating a beautifully decorated home with great food to share. Maybe you want to start new traditions or focus on doing all the traditions you cherish. Maybe you just want to have the space to actually relax and recharge.
Whatever you think you or your family need, that should be the underlying goal of everything you choose to do (or not do) over the holidays. Don’t let other people, social media, or general holiday expectations take away from the things you actually want to do.
Turn Off Your Phone
This is so simple! Turn off your notifications and stay off social media. Be in the moment—whatever the day brings. It’s as simple and easy as that.
You can also create limits for yourself for a period of days (i.e., maybe you only check your phone at certain times during the day and leave it in your room or somewhere out of sight the rest of the time).
Delegate & Simplify Food
Who says the host has to do everything? Even if you enjoy cooking and cleaning, allow yourself to ask for help! If you have others joining you for a holiday meal, ask them to bring something!
You could also choose to simplify meals or order takeout instead!
Simplify Gifts
Everyone has different versions of how they exchange gifts, and that’s great! Love languages can help a lot in this context—if your love language is gifts, you may appreciate giving and receiving tangible gifts whereas an individual whose love language is quality time may enjoy a gift that’s a shared experience.
I think the topic of gifts really comes down to intentionality. Don’t buy a bunch of gifts just because it’s something you think you should do!
A few other tips about gifts:
- Consider getting consumable gifts (i.e., food, drinks, or something they can enjoy over the holidays)
- Don’t know what to get for someone? Keep a note on your phone that you can add gift ideas to anytime you hear that person mention something they like, etc. –> I do this year-round and it really helps me remember gift ideas
- Remember the heart behind it—if you got it with that person in mind, it’s a great gift!
Natural Decor
This is an easy way to embrace a more minimal amount of decor. Start with natural decor first (i.e., evergreen branches, fall leaves, pinecones, pumpkins—whatever you like!), and then fill in with the decor you already own if you feel like adding more to some spaces.
Leave whatever you don’t use in your storage bin and go through it at the end of the holiday.
Have you simplified your holidays? What have you tried and loved doing (or decided to stop doing)?
Little Minimalist on the Prairies 