I have an undeniable passion for the holiday season. My Christmas playlist begins in November, and I can’t resist setting up festive decorations before Thanksgiving arrives. Some years, I might even leave certain decorations up well into the new year (which I’ll admit could be more about procrastination than holiday cheer).
However, there’s one aspect of the holidays that doesn’t bring me joy – the sheer volume of gifts.
Now, before you think I’m a grinch, let me explain. I genuinely enjoy both giving and receiving presents, but what I can’t stand is the overwhelming abundance of them. Much like the pharmaceutical industry, I have no love for the excessive commercialization of Christmas. I prefer a more organic, minimalist approach to the celebration.
For this year, our family has opted for fewer gifts under the tree. This shift has been gradual over the last few years, stemming from moments of reflection after seeing the overwhelming number of presents that could rival an online viral sensation.
My family used to go all out for Christmas. It wasn’t just our immediate family, either; gifts came pouring in from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and distant relatives. There were years when we couldn’t haul everything home in one trip; our vehicle was packed to the brim with clothes, toys, and countless trinkets that cluttered our home for weeks.
This excess created a cycle of pre-holiday anxiety and post-holiday disappointment. Nothing kills the festive spirit faster than the stress of clutter, mounting credit card bills, and the guilt of consumerism.
As someone who leans towards minimalism, I find that clutter induces significant anxiety. Just looking at the aftermath of a holiday gift spree can make my heart race. Over the years, we’ve experimented with various strategies to simplify our holiday experience. Some ideas have worked, while others fell flat. For example, a “not-so-secret Santa” gift exchange among my siblings and their kids has been successful, where each person gives a small gift along with a donation to a cause they care about.
However, my attempts to eliminate gifts altogether didn’t gain much traction, which wasn’t surprising. After all, loved ones derive joy from exchanging gifts. Grandparents delight in watching their grandchildren unwrap presents, and gift-giving is often seen as a gesture of love and recognition. Even I struggle to skip giving gifts to my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Part of it is obligation, but mostly, it feels good to express affection through small tokens.
So, completely cutting out gifts isn’t the solution for us. Instead, we’re embracing a “Holiday Lite” approach, which means fewer gifts but a greater focus on experiences. I believe in giving experiences—like museum memberships, family getaways, or cooking classes—as they not only reduce post-holiday clutter but have been shown to foster gratitude. Research from Cornell University suggests that we feel more grateful for experiences than material possessions, leading to more generous behavior towards others.
Moreover, experiences contribute to children’s cognitive development. An Oxford University study indicated that a child’s academic success is more influenced by their home environment and parental interactions than by toys or gadgets. Thus, while a shiny new electronic device might seem like the perfect gift, spending quality time together yields far more value.
Too many toys and gadgets can overwhelm us, detracting from the joy of giving. I remember the anxiety I felt trying to find space for a literally packed carload of items after the holidays. Experts note that experiences can lead to greater happiness because they are unique and personal. “Experiences are great and lead to happiness because they tend to be more unique and less comparable than material goods,” says Joseph Goodman, an associate professor at Washington University who studies gifting practices.
Additionally, choosing experiences over material gifts is better for the environment, as it helps avoid more plastic waste.
This year, we’re continuing our trend of prioritizing experiences over things, and even our extended family is on board. Instead of a pile of electronics and toys, we’ll be gifting camp registrations, planning a family trip, and securing tickets to a sporting event. We’ll also make donations in each other’s names, considering causes that matter to us. We plan to create memories together – and actually follow through.
So yes, there may be fewer packages under the tree this Christmas, but the gifts we give will be far more meaningful.
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Summary
This year, I’m embracing a minimalist approach to the holidays, opting for experiences over excessive gifts. This shift not only reduces clutter but fosters gratitude and meaningful connections with loved ones. By prioritizing experiences, we’ll create cherished memories without the stress of material excess.
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