The year 2020 has been a wild ride, with many of us gaining a newfound appreciation for our homes and our families amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now that the year is drawing to a close, there are still reasons for us to be thankful. Christmas is the perfect opportunity to celebrate life’s little joys despite our challenges this year. If you’re feeling some anxiety about the holidays, however, why don’t you try celebrating the simple way for a change?
Whether you’re looking to cut down on costs or reduce stresses this Christmas, it’s wise to go the minimalist route.
According to Jennifer of the Simplyfiercely.com blog, minimalism is all about intentionality and alignment. More than cutting down on ornaments and expenses, it’s all about identifying your priorities and principles. What do you hold dear to your heart, and what can you do without this Christmas? Let’s explore on how we can enjoy the holidays more meaningfully through a minimalist approach this 2020.
A tabletop Christmas tree is as good as the giant version.
Minimalism at a glance
The word minimalism often conjures thoughts of bare, Japanese-inspired rooms or even the smiling face of the organizing guru Marie Kondo.
The concept, however, goes beyond these cultural icons. Minimalism is about sticking with the essentials to make your life less complicated. It can offer a sense of freedom, especially to people often stressed with the demands of a hectic schedule.
Simple Decoration Ideas
Decorate your trees with natural elements that you find in the backyard, such as pine cone, leaves and twigs.
When it comes to Christmas decorations, your imagination is the limit in spreading the Christmas cheer in your home. You can just stick with a few simple lights to accentuate elements. These lights can also be used to create Christmas-themed silhouettes in the bedroom.
Some might even look at the garden for inspiration. A few twigs and fresh leaves can make the most pleasant wreaths or makeshift Christmas trees. Making these natural ornaments can serve as a bonding time between you and your kids. After Christmas, you can easily discard these in a compost bin, thus reducing your trash output.
Of course, you can still go ahead and purchase decorations that you see in the malls, but why don’t you try miniature elements to limit your stresses in setting up? A tiny tabletop tree is as good as the eight-foot version. Placing it by your bedside is a fabulous idea, as it would be the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night.
Lastly, filling your home with holiday cheer isn’t always restricted with visuals.
You can buy Christmas-themed scented items, such as soy candles or essential oils. Good scent choices would be pine, cinnamon, cypress and peppermint. These fragrances would not only mask unpleasant aromas in the kitchen or the bathroom, but can also lift your spirits up any time you feel the holiday stress.
You can go the DIY route and make Christmas decor from recycled materials, such as these tabletop decorations made out of carton rolls.
Meaningful Gift-Giving
When it comes to giving presents, it’s best to stick with things that your loved ones want or need. In the UK, the “four gift rule” has become a trend in the past few years.
According to this concept, we should only give presents that fall under one of these categories: something that the recipient would want, need, wear or read. This is being practiced even by parents who have little children to surprise during the Christmas season.
While it is not for everyone, those who adhere to the “four gift rule” say that the practice allows their families to think carefully of what to give each other and to appreciate the little things in life.
For those who can even forego materialism during the holidays, non-tangible presents are a good way to spread some Christmas love.
Treat your loved ones to a nice experience, such as an intimate candlelit dinner at home or even a quick trip to an eco-park (while followingCOVID-19 protocols, of course).
You can even donate to a local charity on behalf of someone else. Most charitable groups provide a certificate or card letting your intended recipients know of the good deed, so they’ll still be able to receive something come Christmas. Not only would this allow you to give to more people, it would also put you on Santa’s good list this year.
Assembling just the tip of the Christmas tree allows you to minimize set-up and simplify decorations.
Create Christmas-themed silhouettes using LED lights.
Focusing on what Matters
A minimalist Christmas doesn’t mean that you have to skimp on the fun stuff this year. Rather, it’s about putting your focus on the essentials. By foregoing frivolous ornamentation and expensive gifts, you are giving yourself and your loved ones a chance to truly appreciate the things that make the season joyous.
While 2020 certainly gave us challenges, life still goes on. A simple Christmas celebration would be the perfect way to end things, as we plow ahead and dream of a better tomorrow in the coming year.
Sources: Bbc.com; Simplyfiercely.com
Photo sources: Chamuel Michael Joseph A. Santiago, Ed Margareth Barahan, Jena Katrina Futol-Adriano, May Ladica-Santiago and Dale Jon Cortez