Several years ago we decided to move forward with minimalism but had not yet found a way to apply it to Christmas. Being the overachiever that I am, I would find myself wanting to make Christmas so magical, that I would get consumed on buying things that my children didn’t need, or even wanted all because I had a certain image in my head about the way Christmas should be.

I came across the idea of keeping gifts to a minimum. The approach of buying in 4 to 5 categories. We would gift the children: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. My favorite add on has been: something to do.

This year my children are going to love their gifts!

A Want: Barbie dream house with a Barbie remote control car
A Need: PJs
To Wear: Rainboots
To Read: Jai is getting the Percy Jackson Series and Sophia is getting a sticker activity book.
To Do: Jai is getting a sewing craft on how make a poncho. Sophia will get new finger paints.
Previously we bought the children a trip to Frozen on Ice and in the future I see sewing lessons and maybe one day soon, Disney World!

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Don’t forget to encourage the children to clean out their toy box before the holidays to make space for new things. This routine prevents toy clutter. Have the children separate their toys in 3 piles: keep, gift, broken/trash. Trick: keep the toys in a bag or chest that allows for a quick visual inspection for when it is time to declutter.

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While you can manage the gift-giving in the home, it can be hard to address this with other family members. I felt the need to share the idea of less gifts to our family because I would notice Jai being excited to gather for the holidays for the gifts, and not necessarily to spend time with family. I didn’t want her correlating love with material things. I want her to be excited to see family simply because they are family.

When the children receive gifts they may already have or are outside of their developmental stage, we keep them in a box. Jai used to cry when we first implemented this. Why couldn’t she keep the new art set even though she already had three?!

We place all duplicates in a box that we gift out of all year! This is helpful for when you’re invited to a birthday party and have to find a last minute gift. The toys that are not gifted by the end of the year, my mom takes to Mexico and hands them out to the children on the border. Jai no longer cries at the thought of gifting to child who may not have had a brand new toy.

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Story time.

Growing up in devout Catholic family, I don’t remember gifts being the center of Christmas. I remember all of our family hosting a posada. Posada meaning “home, lodging” is a Spanish tradition of re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for rest the night Jesus was born. Everyone sings and prays. Towards the end of the posada, if you prayed, you would get a piece of candy.
On the night before Christmas we would set out one of our shoes under the bare tree with hopes that El Nino Dios (baby Jesus) would bring you a gift. You know, not too many presents fit under your shoe. I remember the best gift was a blue see-through Apple desktop, I was in heaven! As I got older, I stopped sitting out my shoe, but I remember being 16 and my dad telling me to sit it out just in case. I woke up to find nothing under my shoe, but inside was a pretty gold necklace. Good presents, but even better memories and traditions. That goes to show that just because you keep the gifts to a minimum, doesn’t mean that can’t be of good value.

During this season, I hope we remember the love and spirit of Christmas. Let’s remind our children that we have been given the ultimate gift: a savior.

Let’s redirect our children and ourselves to seek the beauty of tradition, family, and the joy of Jesus this holiday season!

Blessings,

Rosa