Gifts don’t have to be “things”
Looking ahead at the Holiday season, I feel both excitement, warmth, and…… some frustration and irritation. I am thankful for the time and the memories that I can create with my family. What I have come to dread are all the ads, commercials, the pull towards consumerism that is EVERYWHERE. I love that we have the ability to give gifts to our kids and that I get to see their reactions and excitement when opening a new gift. I love giving and receiving gifts. But every single year, I notice my nervous system really rises and starts to feel decision fatigue during the months of November and especially December. Too much stuff everywhere, influencers trying to show us what to buy, all the activities we need to do.
My goal this year is to shoot for simplicity. To pick a FEW traditions that I will focus on with my family, and say no to the rest. Weve been moving in this direction, but this year I am in NEED of it. Our lives become too full too fast when we aren’t being intentional. And with that, we are choosing a simple framework for buying gifts for my family. A few years ago we tried this idea of buying each person something we “WANT, NEED, WEAR, and READ”. This year we are going to add on by picking an experience that we want to do as a family. My hope is that we can take a much more minimalist approach while also teaching our kids (and ourselves) the importance of gratitude for what we have, that LESS can equal more peace and intentionality, and that being together is what’s most important. As I write this I am getting even more excited about it!
If you are like me and looking for ways to give gifts without adding all the clutter or mindless toys, possibly consider some of these ideas that my family is thinking about.
Adventure Days
Hiking Trip: Plan a scenic hike with a picnic
Kayaking/Biking day together
Go on a day trip to a discovery center, arts center, on an adventure with a picnic.
Go on a day trip to a town or scenic spot you have never been before.
Creative and Artistic Experiences
Painting or Pottery Class: A fun activity where they can learn a new skill.
Photography Walk: Get out your camera and go on a photo walk together.
Cooking/Baking Class: Learn to make a favorite dish or cuisine together.
Learning Experiences
Language or Art Class: A series of online or local classes to learn a language or art skill.
Music Lessons: Surprise them with a few lessons to try a new instrument
Go to a musical together or show that the whole family would enjoy.
Giving Back Together
Volunteer Day: Spend the day giving back to the community.
Cook a meal together for a family or friends who could use a pick me up.
Environmental Day: Plant trees or clean up a local park or beach.
Donations:Pick out donations together from your home and go together to donate them.
Before thinking about how you want to approach the holidays, spend some time thinking about what matters most to you. How do you want to be spending your time? Each item that we bring into our home is one more thing that we have to “manage.” It will need a place, to be cleaned up, etc. Toys are amazing and are our children’s “tools” for learning and growing. But they don’t need as many as most of us think (including myself much of the time). Cheers to mindfulness this Holiday season and thinking of new, creative ways to instill values in our children and have a simpler, more peaceful season.
www.authenticlivingco.com