How I Avoid Overconsumption Around the Holidays

  

As someone who enjoys a simple and more minimalist lifestyle, the holidays can be interesting. I have stayed strong and avoided overconsumption as much as possible and now it’s ingrained in me. Here’s how I avoid it.

I use a budget and small recipient list for gifts and I focus on useful things.

I use a strict budget for gifts. I start by making a list of the people I am buying for. I keep it very small. My immediate family and my neighbors that are like family. My husband handles his immediate family and the men of the neighbors while I focus on the women. When I see how many people I am going to get a gift for, it helps me create a budget. Then I make a list of ideas for each person trying to be realistic about their needs. If they don’t need another coffee mug, I won’t get them one. Often I get pampering items like eye masks and gift cards to places I know they love. Even if I choose something sentimental, I make sure it’s still practical and useful. Also, the money I save up for the holidays is in a separate share in my bank account and I contribute money to it with every paycheck.

I shop online and do it right away

I pretty much start shopping as early as I can, usually before Thanksgiving but after Halloween. I shop online as much as possible. I don’t shop sales in store since I usually don’t need the items on sale anyways. I will take my time online to find the best deal. Because I budget for gifts it’s easy for me to spend because I have already set money aside throughout the year for my big gift shopping time.

I keep the decorations minimal.

I have a tree, outdoor lights, a wreath, and a little garland I hang over my TV. That’s it. I got rid of all my decorative items that used to take space up on my shelves. This was because I had to remove my everyday items from the shelves and store them and then eventually put them all back up after Christmas was over. It was a lot of work and I honestly like it better this way. I save money too because I don’t get tempted to buy décor I see.

I am mindful of how I celebrate.

I will attend a work party or 2, a friend party, and their our own family festivities but other than that I don’t bother with overbooking myself for holiday gatherings. It just adds stress to my life and I like to savor the season by relaxing and watching movies instead of running around all different places.

I keep my meals simple.

I keep it very simple and not over the top for hosting Christmas. It’s my parents, brother, and my husband and myself. We go to my in-laws at a later date. It’s so easy to prepare and clean up afterwards when it’s like this.

I ask for reasonable gifts.

I don’t require gifts OBVIOUSLY but people insist on getting me things so I have an insanely practical list of things I would buy myself anyways like some of my all time favorite books, replacement items for stuff I have like clothing that’s getting worn, and gift cards that I’ll absolutely use (like to the garden center I get my outdoor plants from in Spring).

I reuse gift bags.

I have some wrapping paper I use but when it comes to receiving gifts I pretty much save the gift bags and tissue paper so I virtually never have to buy anything except maybe wrapping paper from time to time. It takes up little space in my home and I feel good reusing gift bags rather than let them be single use.

And that’s all there is to it, well for me at least.

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