Simple Christmas Sanity Savers
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a recovering perfectionist. Yes, I was that mother who let their kids decorate the tree and would then rearrange it as soon as they were in bed.
Last Christmas I had plenty of time to reflect from my Covid isolation bed and to remember the reason for season. It’s not about crazy spending or making your festive decorating Instagram-worthy. Christmas is about joy, love and fun - spending time with people you love, revisting old traditions and creating new ones.
Over the years I’ve been steadily honing my approach to the festive season. I want to maximise fun and celebration, but don’t want to come out the other side feeling overfed, overdrawn and overdone! Here’s how I keep my Christmas simple.
Simple Shopping
Yes, the three wise men brought gifts, but that doesn’t mean you have to go overboard.
Hone your list to those you really must buy for.
If you’re working to a budget, set a spending limit – and encourage your family to do the same.
Plan ahead and do as much online as possible – it’s convenient and cost effective. If you must head out to the shops, take a list and stick to it. Shop solo – it’s quicker and you’ll spend less.
Simple Giving
Small thoughtful gifts are appreciated much more than throw-money-at-the-problem expensive ones. I buy from small independent retailers or antique markets whenever possible. Vintage glasses, a carefully chosen book, cosy socks, pretty pyjamas, lush body lotions, scented candles, cute side plates, artisan chocolates…..are always lovely to give and receive.
I’m also a big fan of a homemade voucher for special events - for adults brunch/dinner/cocktails somewhere lush, a theatre trip or day out of town. A movie night, bowling evening or themed sleepover for kids.
Like-minded friends/mothers/daughters/sisters will love a month’s membership to our yoga tribe - or even a year if your budget allows!
For little ones it’s more about the opening than what’s inside. I always used to buy my kids stuff they actually needed - underwear, pyjamas, craft supplies, books, bath bombs - wrapping them separately to make it more fun.
Faraway relatives receive calendars/photo albums I’ve created online. It helps keep them in touch with what’s happening in our lives.
Overall, buy quality not quantity. I’d choose a small bar of decent chocolate over my own body weight in Quality Street any day.
Simple Eating
Do you really need two different stuffings and five vegetable dishes? What can you simplify?
Unless you LOVE to create gravy/bread sauce/stuffing from scratch, buy ready made. I tortured myself for years with this and now I’m really happy to embrace shop bought short cuts!
And remember it’s just one day. You don’t need to buy lots of ‘special food’ that you’ll end up eating for days (or throwing away 😳). If you’re anything like me, after a couple of days of over indulgence you’ll want to eat lighter anyway.
Simple Help
Delegate or ask for help. Who can take something off your plate? Your partner may not wrap gifts as beautifully as you or have a different idea of what to buy your mother, but if it frees you up to do other things – let go of perfection and accept help in whatever form it comes.
If you’re hosting Christmas, get everyone on board on Christmas Eve with peeling, prepping and chopping – a Christmas playlist and a few cocktails (mocktails for the kids) will make it go with a swing.
Ask your guests to bring a couple of dishes that are cooked and ready to serve, saving you time, money and stress. People come for people – it’s the conversation and the occasion (not the food) that make the memories.
Simple Traditions
If you don’t already have a family tradition, make one. Over the years we’ve created a few of our own. We’ve had a bad taste Christmas sweater competition, which created a lot of laughs. And a ‘How Well Do You Know Your Family’ quiz, which created a lot of heated discussion!
On Christmas morning we always walk the dog and stop off at the local pub on the way home for a festive drink or two.
Simple Sustainability
For the last few years I’ve used simple brown paper decorated by hand using Christmas block print stamps. Super stylish, eco, and quicker and easier than you might think.
A friend and I have been sending the same card back and forth to each other for about seven Christmases now, just adding a new message each time.
Can you buy gently used rather than new? Small kids won’t know the difference - check out eBay or school fairs for nearly new games, toys, clothes.
Planet conscious teenagers will appreciate something vintage. Try Depop or re-gift something special that belonged to you or your parents – a vintage dress, watch or piece of jewellery.
Remember the reason for the season.
What are your top tips for a simple, sustainable Christmas?