This year, I’ve made a conscious decision to shift the focus of our family Christmas away from excess spending and toward meaningful, shared experiences. With the holidays just around the corner, it feels like the perfect time to simplify the season, get creative, and really enjoy what matters most: quality time together. Here’s what I’ve planned for Christmas this year.
Meaningful Gifts, Not a Mountain of Stuff
As a family, we’ve all grown out of the phase where every Christmas morning is filled with mountains of toys. The kids are older now, and it feels like there’s less joy in piles of presents that ultimately end up collecting dust. I miss when they were tiny and played with all kinds of toys but now I love that they are starting to enjoy experiences and gifts that help them prepare for their futures as well. So this year, instead of trying to buy an endless list of gifts, I’ve decided to do something different: each of the kids will pick one special gift (I created a list of options here) that they truly want. This will allow us to focus on something personal and meaningful for each of them without going overboard or stretching our budget.
This approach will not only cut down on clutter but also help us avoid the financial strain that can come with over-purchasing. With the kids choosing one thing that they really want, it shifts the emphasis from having to find the perfect gift to just honoring their individual tastes and desires. It’s a reminder that Christmas isn’t about how many presents you get, but about the thought and care behind the one you choose. Money is tight for most everyone this year so having a plan to save money this holiday season might be the best thing for everyone!
Enjoying Simple, Joyful Traditions
Rather than spending the holiday in a whirlwind of shopping, this year, I’m looking forward to creating memories through shared activities. We always hit up the West Kelowna Light Up every winter. We’re also planning on enjoying plenty of time together in the kitchen, baking holiday treats that we can all indulge in. There’s something so comforting about the smell of cookies or gingerbread filling the house, and the kids are old enough now to get involved in the process. It’s a perfect opportunity to bond while we work together, and we can make it a tradition to try out new recipes or bake the same favourite treats year after year. If we do feel the need to do any holiday shopping in between it’s best to have a game plan for shopping for kids on a budget.
When we’re not baking, we’ll cozy up and watch Christmas movies. I’m talking about the classic films we’ve all seen a thousand times—ones that make us laugh, relax, and feel nostalgic. With everyone’s busy schedules, it can be hard to carve out time to just be together, so we’re going to take advantage of this holiday to slow down, unplug, and savor these simple moments.
A Special Gift for Beans, Our Feline Friend
And of course, we can’t forget about our beloved cat, Beans. She’s been with us through thick and thin and is truly part of the family. This year, I want to make sure Beans gets something special too—a new bed, a cozy blanket, or perhaps some new toys to keep her entertained. After all, our furry friend deserves to feel loved and pampered just like the rest of us. I’m planning on picking up a little something extra for Beans to show how much we appreciate her constant companionship and the joy she brings to our home. If I find anything that blows me away I can share it as she is quite the little petfluencer. She even goes on kitty adventures!
A Christmas Without Gifts for Us
As a couple, we’ve decided not to exchange gifts this year. Instead of spending money on each other, we’re focusing on something bigger: the future. We’ve been talking about our long-term goals, especially our desire to retire early, and we’ve realized that the best gift we can give each other is the ability to live the life we dream about. So this holiday season, we’re putting our resources toward that vision, prioritizing saving and investing over temporary presents. It might sound unconventional, but we both agree that the memories we create together this Christmas are far more important than what we unwrap on Christmas morning.
The True Spirit of Christmas
For us, this Christmas is going to be about slowing down, simplifying, and truly connecting. It’s about teaching our kids that Christmas isn’t about overspending or materialism, but about love, kindness, and shared moments. We want to set an example for them of living intentionally, making thoughtful choices, and focusing on the things that truly matter.
By keeping it simple—through a mix of heartfelt, meaningful gifts, shared baking sessions, cozy movie nights, and an emphasis on the future—we’re giving each other the most important gift of all: time and attention. This year, we’re saying goodbye to the stress and financial strain of overspending, and instead, we’re embracing what Christmas should be about: love, connection, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
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