Please give this video a like 👍 and watch this next if you need more help with holiday budgeting: ua-cam.com/video/OexGv5dZhtM/v-deo.htmlsi=7OIwunBEg7i2yZAw
One of my all time favorite Christmases was when we had a “no gift” year. Instead we laughed ourselves silly, played games, had a wonderful meal, and told stories. It was magical and our family felt closer than ever.
We don’t buy each other gifts either! And I’ve been trying to get my parents to back off of gift giving and just give to the grand parents! I buy whatever I want all year round and don’t need unnecessary gifts.
That's what happened during COVID. We had a lockdown and since I work in healthcare we had Christmas via ZOOM. It was the best 🎄 ever. No guests, no gifts and no stress. We just chatted over ZOOM with our own meals and wished everyone a happy holiday and that was it. I was so relaxed and I felt content and relieved instead of stressed and exhausted. During thanksgiving (we have ours in October) we decided to meet at a restaurant close by my place instead and then go back to my place for dessert and ☕. It was cheaper and wonderful. No huge cleanup and arguing who is going to do the dishes or so and so polished off something forgetting other guests haven't tried it.
I think it’s gone completely overboard when it comes to Christmas. I don’t have a budget for Christmas because I never go crazy. I know anything I spend will be paid off the next month. My husband and I don’t give extravagant presents even to each other. I’ve been a SAHM and my husband retired a little early. This was only because we’ve always spent below our means. It’s not that we never spend but when it comes to Christmas I have never felt the need to overspend. When we would get together with our extended family I think there was an unwritten or unspoken law not to be overly generous. When I hear someone spending hundreds of dollars on a friend or sibling I’m in shock. At our age now if we want to buy something a little pricier during the year we are happy to do so but never just because of an occasion.
@Debbiesdilemmas I agree wholeheartedly. I rarely overspend and my credit card is never maxed out and paid off each month. My only debt was my mortgage. The stress from the holidays stems from organising and deciding what to get for whom. To be frank, I hate shopping. Personally I'd rather receive nothing. I do not like the stress of buying and I do not want to pass that onto others. Time is my most precious commodity and I would rather use that to spend with others than at a shopping mall wanting to tear my eyes out. I feel that people have the time to go shopping but are too busy to spend time with a loved one. I worked in hospice and I never heard a patient tell me they wish they bought more stuff or worked more. Their biggest regret was not spending precious time with loved ones. That's what changed me. It is astounding how many treat shopping as an excursion to me it is just an errand. Holidays have turned into consumer wastefulness. I am more about practicality and helpfulness. I stopped buying gifts for my nephews, they have enough toys, clothes, gadgets anyone can imagine. Its superfluous and it creates psychological problems in adulthood. Instead I take them out for the day and we do an activity, have a nice lunch and later a patisserie. I want them to have memories not a toy they will get sick of in a couple of weeks.
Last year for Christmas, we had been hanging out opening gifts, and it was time to start prepping dinner. Then I said, "Or we could order pizza....." There was a pause as my extended family waited to see if I was serious. "I'm serious." A chorus of, "Awesome!" went around the room. So after nearly 40 years of cooking the giant dinner, we had pizza. Christmas still happened!!
I'm beginning to dread holidays. I'm 72 yrs old. I no longer hand out candy at Halloween. Thanksgiving is ridiculous with too many appetizers, too many side dishes, and too many desserts. Keep it simple. Christmas is the worst. My son's and their wives do not need anything. My grandchildren are young adults with jobs. What are you supposed to buy them? I've told my family NO GIFTS FOR ME! I do not need another cute cup, candle, Christmas decoration, cute holiday soaps or towels, or cute socks. ( I have a drawer full.) A nice dinner together, sharing stories about what everyone is doing would be a gift.
Just because they have jobs doesn't mean they wouldn't enjoy a gift. Nothing big, but a book, a framed picture... A photo shoot? You can have the Christmas you want.
It was so great to read your comment here. I‘m 25 and from Germany and I feel the same (except we don‘t celebrate Thanksgiving here). We don‘t decorate here as much as Americans do but all the stores and grocery shops still go crazy from last week of September. So much consuming. I grew up pretty average and for me baking cookies, 2-3 small decorations and delicious food on christmas eve are my favorite memories. The whole rest, crazy stress, sooo many presents, so much wasted money, all the hollywood movies, I kinda blurred them out. I never needed them. Now I am living my own life and just going out in the snow, a hot tea (from a normal cup, not crazy reindeer cup), candles, old music and a couple of simple cookies is the best for me. I feel like more and more people in my generation are feeling the same and I hope that minimalism in holiday seasons will become more and more important in our world somehow someday. Much love from the other side of the world 💌
I told my kids the exact same thing. And I absolutely mean it. Not only do I not need anything but I do t want anything. I mean really, I don’t. They have families. They need to spend in that. My grandchildren are getting a couple books from me. No more wasting money on toys that get lost and they don’t even remember or care that they have it in the masses of toys.
My family is so accustomed to exchanging gifts but to make it more friendly on the wallet I put together a white elephant gift exchange that can be traded and stolen. It’s a fun game. Everyone who wants to play only has to bring 1 item. We no longer gift for every person. It’s brought so much laughter and relief to everyone involved and we all laugh and our wallets aren’t crying in pain. This year I want to step it up and tell everyone the elephant gift has to be second hand!
We have advent calendars and I fill them with experiences…eg today we are going…ice skating, donating a food box, making Christmas cards and my kids fav every year is driving to look at the Christmas lights with hot chocolates and Christmas tunes 😊
I also don't have a family, but I did buy an advent calendar to share with my colleagues in the office. Yes, it's unnecessary purchase, but will bring some fun to my work place for December 😊
We have one tote of decorations for fall and two for Christmas: 1 for tree decorations and one for the house. If we want something new it has to fit in the tote or we have to get rid of something. I find it's a good balance of cheery decorations and clutter, because the tote rule keeps decor to a reasonable amount.
We do something similar. We are at capacity for decorations and although I see things that are pretty I just remind myself, we don’t have space and I don’t need it. We have a few more totes than that but we have a shelf in the garage for decorations and if we can’t fit it in the totes we don’t buy it.
We are going to choose one family in Tampa who has been hard hit by the 2 hurricanes. and really needs help with basic things like food and medicine. 35% of my grandsons classmates in high school are now homeless.
May God bless them in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach! I pray for their comfort and for their blessings to be restored. In the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ May God bless you all in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ call on the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, and He will answer. He DIED for YOU so that YOU may have ETERNAL LIFE with HIM. Turn from your sin and trust and follow Him with all your heart and soul. He took the penalty for sin of the world upon Himself so that WE may have everlasting life with God almighty. To be separated from God is death. Death is the penalty for sin. Please take this free gift of eternal life that God has offered us in the almighty name of his son, Yeshua/Jesus. He loves us more than we can fathom. We are HIS children created in HIS image. I am spreading the love of Yeshua by loving YOU! Yeshua will give you a reason. Yeshua will give you hope. Yeshua will give you love unconditional. Yeshua will give you freedom. Yeshua will change you from the inside out and make you new, with new desires of your heart. I am telling you this because I love you and don't want you to suffer now or in eternity. Love you all forever ❤ And now you know the gospel. ❤ And now you know the truth and the truth will set you free ❤ May God bless you all in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ call on the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, and He will answer. He DIED for YOU so that YOU may have ETERNAL LIFE with HIM. Turn from your sin and trust and follow Him with all your heart and soul. He took the penalty for sin of the world upon Himself so that WE may have everlasting life with God almighty. To be separated from God is death. Death is the penalty for sin. Please take this free gift of eternal life that God has offered us in the almighty name of his son, Yeshua/Jesus. He loves us more than we can fathom. We are HIS children created in HIS image. I am spreading the love of Yeshua by loving YOU! Yeshua will give you a reason. Yeshua will give you hope. Yeshua will give you love unconditional. Yeshua will give you freedom. Yeshua will change you from the inside out and make you new, with new desires of your heart. I am telling you this because I love you and don't want you to suffer now or in eternity. Love you all forever ❤ And now you know the gospel. ❤ And now you know the truth and the truth will set you free ❤ May God bless you all in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ call on the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, and He will answer. He DIED for YOU so that YOU may have ETERNAL LIFE with HIM. Turn from your sin and trust and follow Him with all your heart and soul. He took the penalty for sin of the world upon Himself so that WE may have everlasting life with God almighty. To be separated from God is death. Death is the penalty for sin. Please take this free gift of eternal life that God has offered us in the almighty name of his son, Yeshua/Jesus. He loves us more than we can fathom. We are HIS children created in HIS image. I am spreading the love of Yeshua by loving YOU! Yeshua will give you a reason. Yeshua will give you hope. Yeshua will give you love unconditional. Yeshua will give you freedom. Yeshua will change you from the inside out and make you new, with new desires of your heart. I am telling you this because I love you and don't want you to suffer now or in eternity. Love you all forever ❤ And now you know the gospel. ❤ And now you know the truth and the truth will set you free ❤ May God bless you all in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ call on the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, and He will answer. He DIED for YOU so that YOU may have ETERNAL LIFE with HIM. Turn from your sin and trust and follow Him with all your heart and soul. He took the penalty for sin of the world upon Himself so that WE may have everlasting life with God almighty. To be separated from God is death. Death is the penalty for sin. Please take this free gift of eternal life that God has offered us in the almighty name of his son, Yeshua/Jesus. He loves us more than we can fathom. We are HIS children created in HIS image. I am spreading the love of Yeshua by loving YOU! Yeshua will give you a reason. Yeshua will give you hope. Yeshua will give you love unconditional. Yeshua will give you freedom. Yeshua will change you from the inside out and make you new, with new desires of your heart. I am telling you this because I love you and don't want you to suffer now or in eternity. Love you all forever ❤ And now you know the gospel. ❤ And now you know the truth and the truth will set you free ❤
I'm going to rewatch this video every time I find myself getting caught up in the holiday buying hype. Thank you! I purchased some holiday reusable grocery bags a few years back and we use them for all of our holiday "wrapping." No waste and no trying to wrap an awkwardly shaped gift.
As a Dutch person I'm a bit flabbergasted about the amount of stuff is usual to buy for the holidays in the US.. We don't have any of those things you mentioned and never needed them. I think this is really normal here..
Same here! I'm from Italy and amazed and i don't know anyone who owns special holiday pillows or doormats or cups😮 we like to decorate too, but everything fits into 1 small box!
These types of things are relatively new in Australia. I admit I'm tempted when some things are so cute, but the fear of the clutter and having to store the xmas decor stops me from buying them. I did buy two xmas teatowels last year but they are good quality and I plan to use them for years...no need to buy new ones.
I think overall in Europe, we don't feel the need for these special things. I am from Czechia, pretty much the same here. We store traditional holiday decoration, that we take out every year. Rarely buy smth new
We are finally sticking to 1 gift per person. So much more enjoyable and less stressful. Opening many gifts ends up being exhausting and you not even enjoying anything
My family stopped exchanging gifts years ago, and it’s the best thing ever. I remember using a pillowcase for trick-or-treating as a kid. They held lots of candy, and were super simple.
I agree with it all. I also am a minimalist. I live in a big home with my 2 boys and husband. I buy very little and don’t like to waste my time, energy, or money on unnecessary things. I’ve been decluttering items we have had for a while and it gave me a new perspective of not buying. I like a simple relaxed home. We have the same Halloween bat pillows from a few Halloween and they look great. I also use the same ornaments when I purchased since 2014 my holiday time wedding. We don’t buy random things and then worry about tossing,storing and being in debt. I do enjoy seeing decor on homes as well but wouldn’t bring it to my own house. Thanks for all the info and advice you are great at what you do. I see the beauty in simple things in life ❤
You'd love my parents Christmas decor. They live in a small place with limited storage. So for Christmas they get a miniature live tree (in a pot) from Walmart, and my mom decorates it with earrings and some items from around the house, and she'll put Christmas cards in it as they arrive in the mail. Then after Christmas, she gives the tree to my aunt who lives on a large farm, and she only keeps the cards for the next year to cut up to use as the name tags on gifts. I think the only things she keeps are some stockings that we made together like 30 years ago and I think an ornament or two from my grandma.
We don’t usually decorate outside for Christmas, but we do enjoy golf carting around to see what others do. Last year we saw a street where every house was decorated to the max except the last house on the street…they put a small wooden sign out with an arrow pointing back to the others houses that simply said Ditto! I still laugh about it❣️🤣
For my family due to some health issues and diet restrictions with some, we haven't celebrated Thanksgiving the "traditional way" instead we just make waffles for brunch (late breakfast) for everyone and make a assortment of toppings to pick from.
Thank you for including talking about food waste! As a sustainability enthusiast/researcher I think about food waste all the time and its one of the more important aspects of eco friendly living that is often overlooked
Our family tradition is that every member has a handmade stocking that they get for their first Christmas with us. Some are over 50 years old, and filled every year with useful items such as toothbrushes, batteries, etc.
We just want to be together as a family. My husband has terminal cancer, so stuff isn't important...being together is. Were doing secret santa between the adults. Still celebrating, but focusing on whats really important x had the same decorations for 20+ yrs, many were Grans or mums x
I must admit since childhood i hate with passion Christmas. As an autistic person, i never could understand the logig behind all the decorations, gifts and social obligations. Never been happier since i do a quiet supper with my mum and aunties and a nice afternoon tea with my besties a couple of days afterwords 😅❤ no gift exchanged !
I'm autistic too and I only grew into loving Christmas in my adulthood. I'm in my 40s now. Now my partner and I have a private Christmas each year with no "outside" rules or any pressure. To each their own; and I think especially for us autistic folks a very important point is not being told what or how to do certain things 😊
I'm not autistic (not too sure though, I often think I'm on the spectrum) and I hate Christmas too. I love very quiet dinners, no decorations, no gifts, no nothing, only food, warmth and relax on Xmas and the following days. I also hate New Year's Eve celebrations, especially when they involve going to parties, getting wasted drinking, and fireworks. Again, a quiet night at home and in bed early is top tier for me.
I love the way you're decorating your new place. It broke my heart to watch a video of you where you cry soon after leaving Germany. I really wanted to hold your hand. We're the same age, we both lost our mothers at 9-10. Of course, those are the only coincidences but those things make me feel you close (call it parasocial relation hahaha!) I love the warm shades of your new house. Thank you for your wise advise that comes from your authentic self. By the way, the idea of "I'm not buying that, that's for my fantasy self. I'm buying things for my real and developing self" has become my motto when shopping. 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Last year we did a "Donation Secret Santa", where we donated to an organisation in the name of the person we gifted it to and wrote a letter, why we thought this donation fitted them. It was really beautiful!
Those who lost everything in a flood or fire need decorations for the holidays. I will keep that in mind as I put decorative items aside, have lots of clear ornaments from classes and tons of partial paints in garage. Prefer to teach G kids to make and give to others rather than buy for self when we really don't need. Besides, I'd rather worry about cookies and hot chocolate!!
Our neighbor has a snowflake light like that ghost one and I always love seeing it when I drive by it's so pretty. It's nice to enjoy it. ❤😊 They have a great house for it too.
No one in my family gives gifts since my parents passed away over 10 years ago and it takes so much stress off us. My husband and I have a reusable Adventure calendar and we put small gifts and homemade coupons in the drawers for each other. I get odd days and he gets even days and we fills the little boxes with what we know the other one will like. I made some coupons (make his favorite cookie or dinner or have an appetizer dinner in front of the fire) and small gifts (like a few of his favorite chocolates or tools or electronic gadgets or gift cards). We really enjoy this fairly new tradition that spreads the joy over the whole month.
I'm already stressed out. Christmas stuff everywhere here in Sweden. I would like to have a gift free Christmas this year. Thank you for your inspirational videos! I'm a hoarder and have some of the same childhood experience like you so I can relate so much. ♥️
In my country we have secondhand shops. There i can buy also holyday stuff for less and bring it back. And I like to make sesonal dekoration with natural from the walk in the forest.
The best thing we did in our family was to stop buying holiday gifts 10 years ago after deciding we all had enough stuff. We have two daughters who both live in different states so we spend money getting together instead. We never were over the top gift givers so it wasn't hard to stop. I am a quilter, sew clothing, knit and crochet so I do make things, but they need to tell me if they want something and then I make it.
Just because they are in the store doesn’t mean all Americans buy them. I buy a few things every year & that’s it. Mostly I buy things like wrapping paper, gift bags and decorations at the after Christmas sales. 90% off is worth it if you like and will use the items.
I laughed so hard! There’s a house in our neighborhood that always puts up a whole theme park of decorations on their corner yard. My immediate reaction when they showed me? Wondering where they stored them. I even thought: I wonder what Marissa has to say about it 😂
I wish I could get my family on board with the idea of not giving gifts this year. Since I've started on this journey towards becoming a minimalist, I just don't want stuff unless it's for house projects.
It may take more than one year. The year I decided that I was not going to give gifts or want to receive gifts anymore everyone complied except one person and she said “I thought you were kidding”. So it took an extra year to get everyone on board. I still do give gifts to three people and that’s it, there are no small children in the family. I’ve known people that would draw the line at a certain age limit. Only the kids up to a certain age would get gifts.
This is my problem with my family too. I grew up with no gifts ,just food and caroling . It’s the most wonderful feeling I’ve ever felt. I came to Canada 30 years ago and I get stressed out every Christmas time. 😢
@@AtoZenLife I feel like trying to upend decades of family tradition may not be well received so I've not talked about it with anyone other than my mom. Thankfully, she understands where I'm coming from and has told family members no on certain gift ideas before. Minimalism and debt free living are my main goals in life right now and exchanging gifts doesn't help either one.
@@patrickhilton9253 at least you’ve got your mom in your corner! Is it the whole family? Could you guys do a more limited secret Santa in exchange instead?
same. I always tell i don't need any gifts, unless if they insist - only the gifts I'd use or can consume, or otherwise that is suitable for my pets (I have MANY lol)
I live in France and fortunately Halloween remains marginal. As for Christmas, all my gifts are hand made or purchased by mid novembre. I draw my own cards. This year the children will not visit exactly for Xmas so the decorations will be very minimal, lights in my plants, lovely and peaceful. Happy no stress Holidays to all.
May I ask how long you spend making cards? I used to intend to do that, but found each one taking hours and hours - much more than I could keep up with. Any advice would be invaluable!
DIY gifts actually bring the spirit of Christmas to the season. All the memories created are what makes the holiday. Absolutely love how you enjoy it ❤
I am hoping my mum with her hubby and my brother with his gf will celebrate xmas at their own homes, I hate noises and parties and as a loner i prefer staying alone (I DO love my mum and when she visits, just i hate parties and celebrations themselves). give me a nice movie or a video game over a party any day..
@@21cormorants not too long. I make them with collages, water colours or stencils. One design only every year, it is quicker. Find inspiration on this platform or other social networks.
I think one thing to remember is that the things that make you happy are worth it, even if you call yourself a minimalist, I love halloween and christmas so while other areas of my life are quite minimal.. my decorations are not, lol and the time and effort are worth it to me
I stopped going to my relatives years ago for Thanksgiving. I don’t really like turkey and all the stuff is stressful, now my best friend and I go to a local casino and have prime rib and drop a few bucks for entertainment. I have minimal Christmas decorations. I buy a living poinsettia so it can be disposed of when it dies. I have red pillow covers and a red throw blanket and a wreath. That makes the house look very Christmasy just to have those few things.
Our kids are 50, 48, and 43. Grandkids are teens. Some seasonal color, good food, one gift per person, and games make the holidays. We also make donations to various charities. Tina, Al's wife
You're my favourite channel whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed. We have 2 (soon to be 3) kids and this year we have just gotten caught up and need a bit of a reset and your channel always motivates me to get back into simple living and minimalism so we have more time for joy and less spent on managing stuff!
Girl, I would get a gravy boat and some already cooked turkey just for you. I get the minimalist thing but you can accommodate only yourself sometimes. Women, do what you want for you, you are special enough!
We decided last night that we are not going crazy for the holidays this year too. Getting a few toys our son has been asking for and then saving the rest of the money
I think the key is to really think about what is meaningful to YOU and YOUR family, and buy (or not buy) according to that. We have two shoeboxes of Christmas decor, one for the tree (which is a live one and lives in the garden the rest of the year) and one with our nativity set and table decor - a Christmas tablecloth (made by my aunt 25 years ago), Christmas coasters and two Christmas mugs. I make a wreath for the door each year out of things I forage from the garden and it goes on our compost heap after. I wear the same blue jumper with snowflakes every year - it is festive enough to do duty at any 'please wear a Christmas jumper' events, but I can wear it for the rest of the winter too. And my advent calendar is almost as old as I am - it has felt-backed pictures that 'stick' onto a piece of fuzzy material with a picture of an empty stable. Each day you add something to the stable and the final figure is baby Jesus. It fits into an A4 envelope for storage. I am really happy with the amount of storage this takes up, and the amount of effort required to decorate. I love bringing the same items out every year - it's like greeting old friends! - and I don't feel that I am missing out at all by not having a house full of decor. With the food, we sit down and think about who we are hosting this year, what we need to feed everyone and what special treats we would really miss not having. Again, we never feel we are missing out, but nothing is ever wasted, because we are buying what WE want, not what everyone else tells us we need 😊
Thoughtful choices, Marisa. A nice alternative to buying mass produced decor is to bring in nature such as leaves, shrubbery, and pinecones. Those can make for beautiful seasonal decor throughout the year, no storage required--and it's free!
I love to do this too. We usually don’t have to worry about the bugs in winter in Canada but I do definitely give them a good look over when I bring them in.
I'm with you on keeping things minimal for the holidays. The only holiday I have decorations for is Christmas and I have two small bins of stuff. I decorate the tree, put out a nutcracker my aunt and uncle gave us in the 80's when they lived in Germany, and a stained glass Santa my dad made also in the 80's. That's it. My place is small and I don't have the room to go all out with decorations.
I've never thought of myself as a minimalist but, yikes, I'm still shocked by how many specialty holiday-themed things retailers offer! Your list included things I'd forgotten about (napkin rings) and items I'd never consider (scented soap, gingerbread kits). I do have some holiday dish towels- they make good packing material for our decorations. As our small family ages, we've switched to more "charitable or edible" gifts. Reading the comments here validates that I'm not alone in my desire to have my home look and feel festive but not go off the rails and into debt.
I really appreciate how you focus on meaningful experiences rather than material things during the holidays. Your approach to minimizing waste and spending consciously is truly commendable. It serves as a great reminder that the spirit of the season lies in the connections we make!👏👏👏
Neither my husband nor myself had ever decorated a gingerbread house and so I purchased one and we had a great time decorating it. The next year I purchased another one and we decided it was really fun when it was a first time, one off kind of thing but it wasn’t something we needed to do yearly.
Maybe a little bit off topic or not - what you don't buy/pay for boxdye or having it done professionally. Your gray highlights of wisdom are georgeous!😍 I remember you shared that you want to test looks with gray showing, so I want to encourage you to stay on that path.
I found your channel about few days ago, and the way you talk about things is so motivating to me. There's no sense of being told how wrong I am for how I do things. Your "this is a way that works for me, this other way works for others, but if it doesn't work for you, that's ok" way of explaining things let's me watch, get inspiration, motivation, or advice without feeling bad about anything. I'm mostly just a messy crafter with a crafting hoard that's spilled over into a couple other rooms. I'm working on decluttering room by room by repainting each room. I know want to repaint the rooms, I have already picked out my colors and taped the paint swatch to the door to remind me what I'm doing this for. I've use my breaks from work (I work from home) to go through and declutter little by little. It keeps me going because I'm impatient and want to get to the painting and re-setting up the rooms neatly as soon as I can. My living room is done and cute now. I'm currently working on my bedroom/office area. I'm also only decorating with things I have already or that I can make out of things in have (using up my craft supplies).
Please please please make a video on how you manage keepsakes for kids like baby stuff, school art and test papers. How you decide what to keep and what to get rid of and how you store and organize them.
I love that you addressed this. A few years ago i gave "the bird" to celebrating this holiday. It has been so incredibly liberating to know i dont have to run around spending money on things no one wants or needs and i dont have to impress anyone with decorating or wrapping gifts or holding it all together somehow. I quit ! Its great! We celebrate solstice now and its just wonderful. Its my peace on earth.
I appreciate you posting this bc I am tempted to buy all of these things for the holidays! I also moved into a new house, & the pressure to fill it up has been consuming me. Love your channel!
I never liked the look of holiday themed flannel sheets but got some basic striped flannel sheets this fall and it has been amazing. Turning the thermostat down when I go to bed and climbing into a bed that’s already so warm and cozy has been heavenly
I'm a maximalist during Christmas time, but the rest of the year I'm more of a minimalist. Luckily we have a large loft to store my stuff 11 months of the year. And I keep on reusing my decor every year. My oldest little tree from my childhood will be 31 years old this year 🎉❤
I’m the same way but I’ve decided I’m going to make some hard decisions this year when all the Christmas decor is out. Hoping to minimize it a bit more! I just hate storing it all lol
When my son went trick or treating we would take the cloth grocery bag and let him paint them. When we finally settled in one place his friends loved to do it with him. Also we simply have our favorite meal / foods that we can be grateful for. The only thing we buy decoration at Christmas time is my son and I pick out a new ornament together to add to the tree, I know it's not the popular theme tree but it's making new memories. Thanks for all the new suggestions
We save £25 a month to use for birthdays and christmas, and we're always under budget. This year, we spent just under £50 on gifts for our toddler, and they had a nice number of things to unwrap and thoroughly enjoyed everything. It's wonderful how planning, saving, and shopping secondhand meant we could focus on enjoying the holidays rather than spending lots of time shopping and worrying about money 😊
I love the video. Its hands down one of the best. It even got me to start decluterring. And there's also one more observation here. I noticed that you tend to not get things for yourself , especially when your husband and kids don't prefer it. Be it the turkey or gravy boat. I understand that energy wise and moneywise it doesnt make sense. But dont forget to honour your wants once in a while. Even if you are the only person who needs it, please get it.
I absolutely love seeing these lists because they're SO PERSONAL. For example, I love candles so much so it's always fun for me to get new seasonal candles every year (though last year I started making my own, so much fun!)
When the kids started trick or treating, i bought a balck canvas bag (from Joann's or Michaels Craft Store) for each of them. I used white and glow in the dark paint pens to write their name and draw a cute decoration on each bag. Then each year, I wrote the year and their costume on their bags (when they were old enough, they took over the project themselves, so it's in their own handwriting). They have loved pulling out their bag each year and reminiscing about their past costumes. As the kids got older, they have opted for a good ol fashioned pillow case, but they still add the year & costume to the bag. Similarly, for Easter (I realize it's not that season right now), we use the same Easter basket each year, and the kids left out their baskets for the Easter bunny to fill. We reused the shredded paper in the baskets as well. I never liked the idea of so much waste, so we do our best to cut down on it.
I’m retired, we used to do a gift exchange at work. I’m glad I don’t have to spend money on that anymore plus I don’t need a darn thing! Yesterday I actually decluttered the last 2 gifts I received at work!!
Totally understandable cuts in expenses. We buy some of these (family photoshoot, wreath or candles), but I can't understand how we - as a people - allowed ourselves to go so deep into nicknacks and seasonal stuff. I so much prefer traditions like making gingerbread house from scratch or just making a snowman (central Europe here, we have snow for Christmas sometimes). Thanks for sharing your point of view, as always.
I have a handful of frames which I swap out the art in, depending on the season. The idea is to have a number of pictures that I can choose from, all tidy in an envelope, that I can change out to totally change the vibe of the room. So this time of the year, I have an image of a black pewter vase on a dark grey wood table, with various jewel-toned and black flowers; one with a medieval room with a fireplace, candles and a deep red velvet couch with a man standing beside it (face hidden) in a black shirt with black lace cuffs. When I decorate for a season or holiday, I like to create the *feel* of it, without having super obvious items (with the exception of a Christmas tree, but I still go more natural the decorating of it). So right now (end of October) I have a vase with fresh colours in white, orange, green and red, 4 small fresh gourds, a handful of thrifted glass tealight holders in jewel tomes, thrifted wood tealight holders made out of natural birch, some pinecones that I foraged for, and also some maple leaves that have turned to a beautiful red. When we get closer to Christmas, I will leave the jewel-toned and birch tealight holders out, as well as the pine cones, and add some wood pieces, pine cones and sticks/branches I foraged for last year, as well as some red sumac flowers I foraged for last year. I will also be gathering a few evergreen branches, and will also add small lights.
@@AtoZenLife it was cute. I have two xmas pillows same ones for years. And I be honest sometime they are so annoying i toss them on the floor. lol I dont know how people have so many pillows in beds. drive me crazy lol
Marissa, it would be interesting to hear how you make christmas special when you don’t buy or have most of the things people associate with christmas 🎄
For our family, spending time focused on family and friends is what makes the holiday special. We take walks, have movie marathons (Harry Potter in Pyjamas!), do Christmas baking for friends together.
What do you mean? She has a tree, the kids have gifts… they bake and cook for the holidays. She just doesn’t buy a ton of things. Christmas isn’t supposed to be about excess consumerism.
@@Wolfmama99 I mean that I would like to hear more about what kind of traditions they have at christmas to make the season special. I haven’t written anything about christmas beeing about consumerism.
I LOVE that you shared this so early in the holiday season. I feel like many years, I'll get halfway through December and then realize I'm doing waaaay too much 😅 Thanks for the reminder to keep it simple 🖤
These are great ideas. I do however love my gravy boat and meat thermometer. I use my gravy boat regularly and the meat thermometer several times a week on pork, steak, roasts, and salmon to name a few. We are definitely foodies over here. Nothing goes to waste though. I have a large family and we fight over the leftovers😂
I have the same canvas bags and I LOVE them! I keep a couple in the car, and a couple at home. I use them all the time. As our family grows (we are up to 12 grandkids now), it has become very expensive to buy gifts for everyone. This year we are having a "secret Santa" (each adult will buy a gift for another adult), and we will be buying individual gifts for each grandchild.
This list really highlights some interesting differences between the UK/Europe and the US! (Not saying we don't have seasonal decor here, I just don't see it as frequently) A lot of the items you mention aren’t things I’d ever think to buy-except maybe a costume. I have a black cape, gloves, and a witch hat, but I can always switch it up to be a vampire instead. I don't think buying a new costume every year is necessary. Halloween feels like such an odd holiday to go 'all out' for, especially compared to Christmas, and I personally find seasonal decorations a bit wasteful. Also, Glühwein is basically just mulled wine, and I personally love it! Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Yeah where I live Halloween is not such a big thing. Children might dress up, but adults don't really get into it. I don't really understand the point of Halloween !?
I find it interesting that your children eat duck but not turkey (do they eat ham?). I love to decorate but hate putting it away. As a result many years ago, I went through all the old Christmas decor and got rid of about 80 percent of it. I kept my favorite items and I put them out in a couple of rooms. I still keep my mom's Christmas village (sentimental reasons) and it is a lot, but there have been years where it stayed in the closet depending on what is going on in my life at that time.
I agree with almost everything. We do use a meat thermometer frequently, I have two gravy boats, one is crystal the other white which we’ve used for over forty years. Also, I buy a live Christmas wreath from a local garden club to which they use the proceeds for a scholarship fund. I rarely buy anything holiday themed.
Yay!!! I was looking forward to this video! I am definitely feeling the stress. I refuse to go into debt for Christmas! I pay cash for everything, but I am still trying to watch my budget. Great video!
Since my daughter had covid Christmas day 2020, which resulted in visiting family being cancelled last minute, we had a lot of food left over. We made a Christmas dinner pie which can use any combination of christmas dinner leftovers, we then topped with crushed roast potatoes. We continue to do this as our boxing day lunch, which makes a change from just having cold leftovers. If you have individual pie dishes everyone could create their own, which would add a bit of fun to it.
We started using the projector light for Christmas and it's been soooo nice!! We also have one inflatable that our son adores. Both store easily in a small box and it takes us ten minutes to put up while our neighbors are spending hours putting up lights.
A few years ago we started two traditions in our family. Firstly, we do Swedish taco smorgasbord for Christmas. Anyone can eat their favourite taco and the preparation time is minimal. Great for food preferences and allergies too. Minimal waste as well since we help one another to finish each bowl as they start to empty, and because any leftovers - like graded cheese, boiled eggs, sour cream or chopped vegetables - can be used for other dishes. Secondly, we give one big gift or experience to children (for Christmas or birthdays) and services (like mending something for someone, hanging curtains for older relatives, building together or cooking for someone) or experiences to the adults. Experiences could be a day in the slopes together, a picnic, eating dinner together, visiting a beautiful place in nature, watch a movie together etc.
I love your channel, It has helped me so much!!💖 Can you do a video about digital photos? I have tens of thousands of photos from over the years and I don't know how to go about de-cluttering them, Or if I should just keep them all? I have them all saved on flashdrives/HDD, so it doesn't take up any physical space, I can just tuck it away,.. But when I go looking through the photos I feel overwhelmed. I also feel like im taking too many pictures in general, It feels like all the real memories are getting buried. How do you manage all your photos, and are there any guidelines/rules you follow when taking new photos?
The creamer from our Corelle set is what I put our gravy in for the two of us. We have the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook from 2008. It's one of the few cookbooks that we still have after I started decluttering. SL has the BEST recipes! Stockings are fun for us and we do yummy treats like oranges and candy and some kind of handmade gift like a poem or artwork. We've been debt free for 11 years and are keeping it that way. I appreciate how you're affirming that we each need to find what is important to us. Good stuff!
I agree with a lot of that and being from Brazil I have always been amazed by the amount of stuff that Americans stores in the house and money they spend on stuff that are seasonal. I now wonder what your holiday traditions are.
Please give this video a like 👍 and watch this next if you need more help with holiday budgeting: ua-cam.com/video/OexGv5dZhtM/v-deo.htmlsi=7OIwunBEg7i2yZAw
Where did you get your dining chairs? Love your videos! Thank you!
❤
please share what you use for mascara and lipgloss- simple and beautiful
Your hair looks so shiny full and healthy.
One of my all time favorite Christmases was when we had a “no gift” year. Instead we laughed ourselves silly, played games, had a wonderful meal, and told stories. It was magical and our family felt closer than ever.
My husband and I stopped giving each other gifts a long time ago. Instead we focus on good food and wine with our family.
We don’t buy each other gifts either! And I’ve been trying to get my parents to back off of gift giving and just give to the grand parents! I buy whatever I want all year round and don’t need unnecessary gifts.
That's what happened during COVID. We had a lockdown and since I work in healthcare we had Christmas via ZOOM. It was the best 🎄 ever. No guests, no gifts and no stress. We just chatted over ZOOM with our own meals and wished everyone a happy holiday and that was it. I was so relaxed and I felt content and relieved instead of stressed and exhausted. During thanksgiving (we have ours in October) we decided to meet at a restaurant close by my place instead and then go back to my place for dessert and ☕. It was cheaper and wonderful. No huge cleanup and arguing who is going to do the dishes or so and so polished off something forgetting other guests haven't tried it.
I think it’s gone completely overboard when it comes to Christmas. I don’t have a budget for Christmas because I never go crazy. I know anything I spend will be paid off the next month. My husband and I don’t give extravagant presents even to each other. I’ve been a SAHM and my husband retired a little early. This was only because we’ve always spent below our means. It’s not that we never spend but when it comes to Christmas I have never felt the need to overspend. When we would get together with our extended family I think there was an unwritten or unspoken law not to be overly generous. When I hear someone spending hundreds of dollars on a friend or sibling I’m in shock. At our age now if we want to buy something a little pricier during the year we are happy to do so but never just because of an occasion.
@Debbiesdilemmas I agree wholeheartedly. I rarely overspend and my credit card is never maxed out and paid off each month. My only debt was my mortgage. The stress from the holidays stems from organising and deciding what to get for whom. To be frank, I hate shopping. Personally I'd rather receive nothing. I do not like the stress of buying and I do not want to pass that onto others. Time is my most precious commodity and I would rather use that to spend with others than at a shopping mall wanting to tear my eyes out. I feel that people have the time to go shopping but are too busy to spend time with a loved one. I worked in hospice and I never heard a patient tell me they wish they bought more stuff or worked more. Their biggest regret was not spending precious time with loved ones. That's what changed me. It is astounding how many treat shopping as an excursion to me it is just an errand. Holidays have turned into consumer wastefulness. I am more about practicality and helpfulness. I stopped buying gifts for my nephews, they have enough toys, clothes, gadgets anyone can imagine. Its superfluous and it creates psychological problems in adulthood. Instead I take them out for the day and we do an activity, have a nice lunch and later a patisserie. I want them to have memories not a toy they will get sick of in a couple of weeks.
Having debt from Christmas shopping a year ago is crazy
The definition of insanity 🫠
A big AMEN on not buying on debt!
Last year for Christmas, we had been hanging out opening gifts, and it was time to start prepping dinner. Then I said, "Or we could order pizza....." There was a pause as my extended family waited to see if I was serious. "I'm serious."
A chorus of, "Awesome!" went around the room. So after nearly 40 years of cooking the giant dinner, we had pizza. Christmas still happened!!
My husband and I enjoy pizza for Thanksgiving - it's been our tradition since we started dating!
You can never go wrong with pizza! 😀
We have bought barbeque for the last several years...everyone loves it...
We have Chinese take out as of 3 years ago... we LOVE it
We were already considering pizza for this year! It’s on now!❤
I'm beginning to dread holidays. I'm 72 yrs old. I no longer hand out candy at Halloween. Thanksgiving is ridiculous with too many appetizers, too many side dishes, and too many desserts. Keep it simple. Christmas is the worst. My son's and their wives do not need anything. My grandchildren are young adults with jobs. What are you supposed to buy them? I've told my family NO GIFTS FOR ME! I do not need another cute cup, candle, Christmas decoration, cute holiday soaps or towels, or cute socks. ( I have a drawer full.) A nice dinner together, sharing stories about what everyone is doing would be a gift.
Just because they have jobs doesn't mean they wouldn't enjoy a gift. Nothing big, but a book, a framed picture... A photo shoot? You can have the Christmas you want.
It was so great to read your comment here. I‘m 25 and from Germany and I feel the same (except we don‘t celebrate Thanksgiving here). We don‘t decorate here as much as Americans do but all the stores and grocery shops still go crazy from last week of September. So much consuming. I grew up pretty average and for me baking cookies, 2-3 small decorations and delicious food on christmas eve are my favorite memories. The whole rest, crazy stress, sooo many presents, so much wasted money, all the hollywood movies, I kinda blurred them out. I never needed them. Now I am living my own life and just going out in the snow, a hot tea (from a normal cup, not crazy reindeer cup), candles, old music and a couple of simple cookies is the best for me. I feel like more and more people in my generation are feeling the same and I hope that minimalism in holiday seasons will become more and more important in our world somehow someday. Much love from the other side of the world 💌
I told my kids the exact same thing. And I absolutely mean it. Not only do I not need anything but I do t want anything. I mean really, I don’t. They have families. They need to spend in that. My grandchildren are getting a couple books from me. No more wasting money on toys that get lost and they don’t even remember or care that they have it in the masses of toys.
My family and I don’t exchange gifts, and it’s absolutely wonderful.
Same and I am so thankful!!
My husband and I don’t give each other gifts and we give the kids 1-2 gifts since they get so many from their grandparents
Ditto in my house 😊
My family is so accustomed to exchanging gifts but to make it more friendly on the wallet I put together a white elephant gift exchange that can be traded and stolen. It’s a fun game. Everyone who wants to play only has to bring 1 item. We no longer gift for every person. It’s brought so much laughter and relief to everyone involved and we all laugh and our wallets aren’t crying in pain. This year I want to step it up and tell everyone the elephant gift has to be second hand!
I agree. My family never has but my husband's does.
We have advent calendars and I fill them with experiences…eg today we are going…ice skating, donating a food box, making Christmas cards and my kids fav every year is driving to look at the Christmas lights with hot chocolates and Christmas tunes 😊
Love that idea ❤
@@imiruth fantastic idea! I wish I knew of it when my kids were still at home.
Perfect❤
That’s ok if you have someone to do things like this but I don’t.
I also don't have a family, but I did buy an advent calendar to share with my colleagues in the office. Yes, it's unnecessary purchase, but will bring some fun to my work place for December 😊
Thank you. I think the most important message is to give yourself permission to simplify the holidays to what you and your family want.
Nicely said
We have one tote of decorations for fall and two for Christmas: 1 for tree decorations and one for the house. If we want something new it has to fit in the tote or we have to get rid of something. I find it's a good balance of cheery decorations and clutter, because the tote rule keeps decor to a reasonable amount.
I have a door decorate and since I inhertied stainglass window things from my grandmother I'll have those per holiday. All decorating done.
We do something similar. We are at capacity for decorations and although I see things that are pretty I just remind myself, we don’t have space and I don’t need it. We have a few more totes than that but we have a shelf in the garage for decorations and if we can’t fit it in the totes we don’t buy it.
We are going to choose one family in Tampa who has been hard hit by the 2 hurricanes.
and really needs help with basic things like food and medicine. 35% of my grandsons classmates in high school are now homeless.
May God bless them in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach! I pray for their comfort and for their blessings to be restored. In the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤
May God bless you all in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ call on the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, and He will answer. He DIED for YOU so that YOU may have ETERNAL LIFE with HIM. Turn from your sin and trust and follow Him with all your heart and soul. He took the penalty for sin of the world upon Himself so that WE may have everlasting life with God almighty. To be separated from God is death. Death is the penalty for sin. Please take this free gift of eternal life that God has offered us in the almighty name of his son, Yeshua/Jesus. He loves us more than we can fathom. We are HIS children created in HIS image. I am spreading the love of Yeshua by loving YOU! Yeshua will give you a reason. Yeshua will give you hope. Yeshua will give you love unconditional. Yeshua will give you freedom. Yeshua will change you from the inside out and make you new, with new desires of your heart. I am telling you this because I love you and don't want you to suffer now or in eternity. Love you all forever ❤
And now you know the gospel. ❤
And now you know the truth and the truth will set you free ❤
May God bless you all in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ call on the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, and He will answer. He DIED for YOU so that YOU may have ETERNAL LIFE with HIM. Turn from your sin and trust and follow Him with all your heart and soul. He took the penalty for sin of the world upon Himself so that WE may have everlasting life with God almighty. To be separated from God is death. Death is the penalty for sin. Please take this free gift of eternal life that God has offered us in the almighty name of his son, Yeshua/Jesus. He loves us more than we can fathom. We are HIS children created in HIS image. I am spreading the love of Yeshua by loving YOU! Yeshua will give you a reason. Yeshua will give you hope. Yeshua will give you love unconditional. Yeshua will give you freedom. Yeshua will change you from the inside out and make you new, with new desires of your heart. I am telling you this because I love you and don't want you to suffer now or in eternity. Love you all forever ❤
And now you know the gospel. ❤
And now you know the truth and the truth will set you free ❤
May God bless you all in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ call on the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, and He will answer. He DIED for YOU so that YOU may have ETERNAL LIFE with HIM. Turn from your sin and trust and follow Him with all your heart and soul. He took the penalty for sin of the world upon Himself so that WE may have everlasting life with God almighty. To be separated from God is death. Death is the penalty for sin. Please take this free gift of eternal life that God has offered us in the almighty name of his son, Yeshua/Jesus. He loves us more than we can fathom. We are HIS children created in HIS image. I am spreading the love of Yeshua by loving YOU! Yeshua will give you a reason. Yeshua will give you hope. Yeshua will give you love unconditional. Yeshua will give you freedom. Yeshua will change you from the inside out and make you new, with new desires of your heart. I am telling you this because I love you and don't want you to suffer now or in eternity. Love you all forever ❤
And now you know the gospel. ❤
And now you know the truth and the truth will set you free ❤
May God bless you all in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ call on the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, and He will answer. He DIED for YOU so that YOU may have ETERNAL LIFE with HIM. Turn from your sin and trust and follow Him with all your heart and soul. He took the penalty for sin of the world upon Himself so that WE may have everlasting life with God almighty. To be separated from God is death. Death is the penalty for sin. Please take this free gift of eternal life that God has offered us in the almighty name of his son, Yeshua/Jesus. He loves us more than we can fathom. We are HIS children created in HIS image. I am spreading the love of Yeshua by loving YOU! Yeshua will give you a reason. Yeshua will give you hope. Yeshua will give you love unconditional. Yeshua will give you freedom. Yeshua will change you from the inside out and make you new, with new desires of your heart. I am telling you this because I love you and don't want you to suffer now or in eternity. Love you all forever ❤
And now you know the gospel. ❤
And now you know the truth and the truth will set you free ❤
What a wonderful gesture!
I'm going to rewatch this video every time I find myself getting caught up in the holiday buying hype. Thank you!
I purchased some holiday reusable grocery bags a few years back and we use them for all of our holiday "wrapping." No waste and no trying to wrap an awkwardly shaped gift.
As a Dutch person I'm a bit flabbergasted about the amount of stuff is usual to buy for the holidays in the US.. We don't have any of those things you mentioned and never needed them. I think this is really normal here..
Same here! I'm from Italy and amazed and i don't know anyone who owns special holiday pillows or doormats or cups😮 we like to decorate too, but everything fits into 1 small box!
I was just thinking the same, here in Norway we don't have this either
These types of things are relatively new in Australia. I admit I'm tempted when some things are so cute, but the fear of the clutter and having to store the xmas decor stops me from buying them. I did buy two xmas teatowels last year but they are good quality and I plan to use them for years...no need to buy new ones.
Here in Portugal is the same. All of our Christmas decoration fit in a box. We use an artificial tree (in my home) so it's the same one every year.
I think overall in Europe, we don't feel the need for these special things. I am from Czechia, pretty much the same here. We store traditional holiday decoration, that we take out every year. Rarely buy smth new
When I was a kid we used old pillow cases to trick or treat.
Same!
We did too!
A great idea!
We are finally sticking to 1 gift per person. So much more enjoyable and less stressful. Opening many gifts ends up being exhausting and you not even enjoying anything
My family stopped exchanging gifts years ago, and it’s the best thing ever. I remember using a pillowcase for trick-or-treating as a kid. They held lots of candy, and were super simple.
That's what I used as a kid too 🙂
I was wondering if anyone would mention trick or treating with a pillowcase!
I agree with it all. I also am a minimalist. I live in a big home with my 2 boys and husband. I buy very little and don’t like to waste my time, energy, or money on unnecessary things. I’ve been decluttering items we have had for a while and it gave me a new perspective of not buying. I like a simple relaxed home. We have the same Halloween bat pillows from a few Halloween and they look great. I also use the same ornaments when I purchased since 2014 my holiday time wedding. We don’t buy random things and then worry about tossing,storing and being in debt. I do enjoy seeing decor on homes as well but wouldn’t bring it to my own house. Thanks for all the info and advice you are great at what you do. I see the beauty in simple things in life ❤
I enjoy Christmas decorations and lights but am glad I don't have to worry about storing them.
I thrifted all my fall and winter decor, and it’s reused every year. You don’t need to deprive yourself or go into debt if you enjoy the decor :)
You'd love my parents Christmas decor. They live in a small place with limited storage. So for Christmas they get a miniature live tree (in a pot) from Walmart, and my mom decorates it with earrings and some items from around the house, and she'll put Christmas cards in it as they arrive in the mail. Then after Christmas, she gives the tree to my aunt who lives on a large farm, and she only keeps the cards for the next year to cut up to use as the name tags on gifts. I think the only things she keeps are some stockings that we made together like 30 years ago and I think an ornament or two from my grandma.
Ooh I never thought of using Christmas cards this way! Thanks!
We don’t usually decorate outside for Christmas, but we do enjoy golf carting around to see what others do. Last year we saw a street where every house was decorated to the max except the last house on the street…they put a small wooden sign out with an arrow pointing back to the others houses that simply said Ditto! I still laugh about it❣️🤣
For my family due to some health issues and diet restrictions with some, we haven't celebrated Thanksgiving the "traditional way" instead we just make waffles for brunch (late breakfast) for everyone and make a assortment of toppings to pick from.
A waffle bar sounds like fun! 😀
Thank you for including talking about food waste! As a sustainability enthusiast/researcher I think about food waste all the time and its one of the more important aspects of eco friendly living that is often overlooked
Our family tradition is that every member has a handmade stocking that they get for their first Christmas with us. Some are over 50 years old, and filled every year with useful items such as toothbrushes, batteries, etc.
We just want to be together as a family. My husband has terminal cancer, so stuff isn't important...being together is.
Were doing secret santa between the adults. Still celebrating, but focusing on whats really important x had the same decorations for 20+ yrs, many were Grans or mums x
Blessings to you and your family.
Sending warm thoughts to you and your family ❤
I must admit since childhood i hate with passion Christmas. As an autistic person, i never could understand the logig behind all the decorations, gifts and social obligations. Never been happier since i do a quiet supper with my mum and aunties and a nice afternoon tea with my besties a couple of days afterwords 😅❤ no gift exchanged !
I'm autistic too and I only grew into loving Christmas in my adulthood. I'm in my 40s now. Now my partner and I have a private Christmas each year with no "outside" rules or any pressure.
To each their own; and I think especially for us autistic folks a very important point is not being told what or how to do certain things 😊
I'm not autistic (not too sure though, I often think I'm on the spectrum) and I hate Christmas too. I love very quiet dinners, no decorations, no gifts, no nothing, only food, warmth and relax on Xmas and the following days.
I also hate New Year's Eve celebrations, especially when they involve going to parties, getting wasted drinking, and fireworks. Again, a quiet night at home and in bed early is top tier for me.
Sounds amazing! Same feeling about Christmas here
I love the way you're decorating your new place. It broke my heart to watch a video of you where you cry soon after leaving Germany. I really wanted to hold your hand. We're the same age, we both lost our mothers at 9-10. Of course, those are the only coincidences but those things make me feel you close (call it parasocial relation hahaha!) I love the warm shades of your new house. Thank you for your wise advise that comes from your authentic self. By the way, the idea of "I'm not buying that, that's for my fantasy self. I'm buying things for my real and developing self" has become my motto when shopping. 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Last year we did a "Donation Secret Santa", where we donated to an organisation in the name of the person we gifted it to and wrote a letter, why we thought this donation fitted them. It was really beautiful!
What a neat idea! There is so much need in the world and it gets lost in all our buying of things and stuff we don’t need.
Those who lost everything in a flood or fire need decorations for the holidays. I will keep that in mind as I put decorative items aside, have lots of clear ornaments from classes and tons of partial paints in garage. Prefer to teach G kids to make and give to others rather than buy for self when we really don't need. Besides, I'd rather worry about cookies and hot chocolate!!
Our neighbor has a snowflake light like that ghost one and I always love seeing it when I drive by it's so pretty. It's nice to enjoy it. ❤😊 They have a great house for it too.
No one in my family gives gifts since my parents passed away over 10 years ago and it takes so much stress off us. My husband and I have a reusable Adventure calendar and we put small gifts and homemade coupons in the drawers for each other. I get odd days and he gets even days and we fills the little boxes with what we know the other one will like. I made some coupons (make his favorite cookie or dinner or have an appetizer dinner in front of the fire) and small gifts (like a few of his favorite chocolates or tools or electronic gadgets or gift cards). We really enjoy this fairly new tradition that spreads the joy over the whole month.
Love this idea!
I love this, might have to suggest this!
I just had the most brilliant idea; Just get a sweater that says "HOLIDAYS" - this will have you covered for all the events 😂
Nice idea 😎
That's so cute, but does it exist? 😂
You could make one.
some internet shops can customize them for you
Good idea!
❤ 🍀 🐣 🇺🇸 🎃 🦃 🎅
I'm already stressed out. Christmas stuff everywhere here in Sweden. I would like to have a gift free Christmas this year.
Thank you for your inspirational videos! I'm a hoarder and have some of the same childhood experience like you so I can relate so much.
♥️
In my country we have secondhand shops. There i can buy also holyday stuff for less and bring it back.
And I like to make sesonal dekoration with natural from the walk in the forest.
The best thing we did in our family was to stop buying holiday gifts 10 years ago after deciding we all had enough stuff. We have two daughters who both live in different states so we spend money getting together instead. We never were over the top gift givers so it wasn't hard to stop. I am a quilter, sew clothing, knit and crochet so I do make things, but they need to tell me if they want something and then I make it.
Most of these things I've never thought of to buy or knew about. America has so many holiday items it must be really overwhelming!
Just because they are in the store doesn’t mean all Americans buy them. I buy a few things every year & that’s it. Mostly I buy things like wrapping paper, gift bags and decorations at the after Christmas sales. 90% off is worth it if you like and will use the items.
I laughed so hard! There’s a house in our neighborhood that always puts up a whole theme park of decorations on their corner yard. My immediate reaction when they showed me? Wondering where they stored them. I even thought: I wonder what Marissa has to say about it 😂
I wish I could get my family on board with the idea of not giving gifts this year. Since I've started on this journey towards becoming a minimalist, I just don't want stuff unless it's for house projects.
Who is not on board? Could you work to figure out a compromise that leaves everyone satisfied?
It may take more than one year. The year I decided that I was not going to give gifts or want to receive gifts anymore everyone complied except one person and she said “I thought you were kidding”. So it took an extra year to get everyone on board. I still do give gifts to three people and that’s it, there are no small children in the family. I’ve known people that would draw the line at a certain age limit. Only the kids up to a certain age would get gifts.
This is my problem with my family too. I grew up with no gifts ,just food and caroling . It’s the most wonderful feeling I’ve ever felt. I came to Canada 30 years ago and I get stressed out every Christmas time. 😢
@@AtoZenLife I feel like trying to upend decades of family tradition may not be well received so I've not talked about it with anyone other than my mom. Thankfully, she understands where I'm coming from and has told family members no on certain gift ideas before.
Minimalism and debt free living are my main goals in life right now and exchanging gifts doesn't help either one.
@@patrickhilton9253 at least you’ve got your mom in your corner! Is it the whole family? Could you guys do a more limited secret Santa in exchange instead?
It all boils down to how "free" we want to be. I couldn't agree with you more.
I only want presents I can eat, use up, read or experience.
same. I always tell i don't need any gifts, unless if they insist - only the gifts I'd use or can consume, or otherwise that is suitable for my pets (I have MANY lol)
Cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries is AMAH-ZING…
Super easy😊
I live in France and fortunately Halloween remains marginal.
As for Christmas, all my gifts are hand made or purchased by mid novembre. I draw my own cards. This year the children will not visit exactly for Xmas so the decorations will be very minimal, lights in my plants, lovely and peaceful.
Happy no stress Holidays to all.
May I ask how long you spend making cards? I used to intend to do that, but found each one taking hours and hours - much more than I could keep up with. Any advice would be invaluable!
DIY gifts actually bring the spirit of Christmas to the season. All the memories created are what makes the holiday.
Absolutely love how you enjoy it ❤
I am hoping my mum with her hubby and my brother with his gf will celebrate xmas at their own homes, I hate noises and parties and as a loner i prefer staying alone (I DO love my mum and when she visits, just i hate parties and celebrations themselves). give me a nice movie or a video game over a party any day..
@@21cormorants not too long. I make them with collages, water colours or stencils. One design only every year, it is quicker. Find inspiration on this platform or other social networks.
@@rockseaH2O thank you🎄
I think one thing to remember is that the things that make you happy are worth it, even if you call yourself a minimalist, I love halloween and christmas so while other areas of my life are quite minimal.. my decorations are not, lol and the time and effort are worth it to me
I stopped going to my relatives years ago for Thanksgiving. I don’t really like turkey and all the stuff is stressful, now my best friend and I go to a local casino and have prime rib and drop a few bucks for entertainment. I have minimal Christmas decorations. I buy a living poinsettia so it can be disposed of when it dies. I have red pillow covers and a red throw blanket and a wreath. That makes the house look very Christmasy just to have those few things.
Our kids are 50, 48, and 43. Grandkids are teens. Some seasonal color, good food, one gift per person, and games make the holidays. We also make donations to
various charities. Tina, Al's wife
You're my favourite channel whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed. We have 2 (soon to be 3) kids and this year we have just gotten caught up and need a bit of a reset and your channel always motivates me to get back into simple living and minimalism so we have more time for joy and less spent on managing stuff!
That’s such a nice thing to hear and I’ll be cheering you and your family on 📣😄
I'd never even heard of most of these things 🙊 it sounds so incredibly stressful to have to buy and use and store all of this.
Girl, I would get a gravy boat and some already cooked turkey just for you. I get the minimalist thing but you can accommodate only yourself sometimes. Women, do what you want for you, you are special enough!
I’d rather have things I can share with everyone, it’s not about being special. If I truly wanted to, I would. 😉
We decided last night that we are not going crazy for the holidays this year too. Getting a few toys our son has been asking for and then saving the rest of the money
I think the key is to really think about what is meaningful to YOU and YOUR family, and buy (or not buy) according to that.
We have two shoeboxes of Christmas decor, one for the tree (which is a live one and lives in the garden the rest of the year) and one with our nativity set and table decor - a Christmas tablecloth (made by my aunt 25 years ago), Christmas coasters and two Christmas mugs. I make a wreath for the door each year out of things I forage from the garden and it goes on our compost heap after. I wear the same blue jumper with snowflakes every year - it is festive enough to do duty at any 'please wear a Christmas jumper' events, but I can wear it for the rest of the winter too. And my advent calendar is almost as old as I am - it has felt-backed pictures that 'stick' onto a piece of fuzzy material with a picture of an empty stable. Each day you add something to the stable and the final figure is baby Jesus. It fits into an A4 envelope for storage.
I am really happy with the amount of storage this takes up, and the amount of effort required to decorate. I love bringing the same items out every year - it's like greeting old friends! - and I don't feel that I am missing out at all by not having a house full of decor. With the food, we sit down and think about who we are hosting this year, what we need to feed everyone and what special treats we would really miss not having. Again, we never feel we are missing out, but nothing is ever wasted, because we are buying what WE want, not what everyone else tells us we need 😊
Thoughtful choices, Marisa. A nice alternative to buying mass produced decor is to bring in nature such as leaves, shrubbery, and pinecones. Those can make for beautiful seasonal decor throughout the year, no storage required--and it's free!
Sure, just make sure they are free of bugs!!! 🐞 🕷️ 🐛 😉
I love to do this too. We usually don’t have to worry about the bugs in winter in Canada but I do definitely give them a good look over when I bring them in.
If you cut/pick your selection of leaves, etc., then leave them in a garage or porch for a couple of days. The bugs will vacate.
I'm with you on keeping things minimal for the holidays. The only holiday I have decorations for is Christmas and I have two small bins of stuff. I decorate the tree, put out a nutcracker my aunt and uncle gave us in the 80's when they lived in Germany, and a stained glass Santa my dad made also in the 80's. That's it. My place is small and I don't have the room to go all out with decorations.
I've never thought of myself as a minimalist but, yikes, I'm still shocked by how many specialty holiday-themed things retailers offer! Your list included things I'd forgotten about (napkin rings) and items I'd never consider (scented soap, gingerbread kits). I do have some holiday dish towels- they make good packing material for our decorations. As our small family ages, we've switched to more "charitable or edible" gifts. Reading the comments here validates that I'm not alone in my desire to have my home look and feel festive but not go off the rails and into debt.
I really appreciate how you focus on meaningful experiences rather than material things during the holidays. Your approach to minimizing waste and spending consciously is truly commendable. It serves as a great reminder that the spirit of the season lies in the connections we make!👏👏👏
Neither my husband nor myself had ever decorated a gingerbread house and so I purchased one and we had a great time decorating it. The next year I purchased another one and we decided it was really fun when it was a first time, one off kind of thing but it wasn’t something we needed to do yearly.
Maybe a little bit off topic or not - what you don't buy/pay for boxdye or having it done professionally. Your gray highlights of wisdom are georgeous!😍 I remember you shared that you want to test looks with gray showing, so I want to encourage you to stay on that path.
Thank you! I feel like the graying has actually slowed down recently too…less stress? 😅 Either way, I’ll be staying au natural for now.
I found your channel about few days ago, and the way you talk about things is so motivating to me. There's no sense of being told how wrong I am for how I do things. Your "this is a way that works for me, this other way works for others, but if it doesn't work for you, that's ok" way of explaining things let's me watch, get inspiration, motivation, or advice without feeling bad about anything. I'm mostly just a messy crafter with a crafting hoard that's spilled over into a couple other rooms. I'm working on decluttering room by room by repainting each room. I know want to repaint the rooms, I have already picked out my colors and taped the paint swatch to the door to remind me what I'm doing this for. I've use my breaks from work (I work from home) to go through and declutter little by little. It keeps me going because I'm impatient and want to get to the painting and re-setting up the rooms neatly as soon as I can. My living room is done and cute now. I'm currently working on my bedroom/office area. I'm also only decorating with things I have already or that I can make out of things in have (using up my craft supplies).
Please please please make a video on how you manage keepsakes for kids like baby stuff, school art and test papers. How you decide what to keep and what to get rid of and how you store and organize them.
I love that you addressed this. A few years ago i gave "the bird" to celebrating this holiday. It has been so incredibly liberating to know i dont have to run around spending money on things no one wants or needs and i dont have to impress anyone with decorating or wrapping gifts or holding it all together somehow. I quit ! Its great! We celebrate solstice now and its just wonderful. Its my peace on earth.
I appreciate you posting this bc I am tempted to buy all of these things for the holidays! I also moved into a new house, & the pressure to fill it up has been consuming me. Love your channel!
I never liked the look of holiday themed flannel sheets but got some basic striped flannel sheets this fall and it has been amazing. Turning the thermostat down when I go to bed and climbing into a bed that’s already so warm and cozy has been heavenly
My kids always wanted to use pillow cases for trick or treat.
Oh that’s fun!
When I was growing up, virtually everyone used pillow cases. Maybe it's a cultural thing?
That’s what I used as a kid- I’m 65!
Back in the olden days, we used pillow cases for treat or treating. Back then, people usually gave full-size candy. 😊
I'm a maximalist during Christmas time, but the rest of the year I'm more of a minimalist. Luckily we have a large loft to store my stuff 11 months of the year. And I keep on reusing my decor every year. My oldest little tree from my childhood will be 31 years old this year 🎉❤
Aww! 😊 I had a mini tree as a kid too.
I’m the same way but I’ve decided I’m going to make some hard decisions this year when all the Christmas decor is out. Hoping to minimize it a bit more! I just hate storing it all lol
I ❤ that you figured a way to engage with the lovely sociable tradition of yard decorations while doing it in a way that also suits your family
When my son went trick or treating we would take the cloth grocery bag and let him paint them. When we finally settled in one place his friends loved to do it with him. Also we simply have our favorite meal / foods that we can be grateful for. The only thing we buy decoration at Christmas time is my son and I pick out a new ornament together to add to the tree, I know it's not the popular theme tree but it's making new memories. Thanks for all the new suggestions
We save £25 a month to use for birthdays and christmas, and we're always under budget. This year, we spent just under £50 on gifts for our toddler, and they had a nice number of things to unwrap and thoroughly enjoyed everything. It's wonderful how planning, saving, and shopping secondhand meant we could focus on enjoying the holidays rather than spending lots of time shopping and worrying about money 😊
I love the video. Its hands down one of the best. It even got me to start decluterring. And there's also one more observation here. I noticed that you tend to not get things for yourself , especially when your husband and kids don't prefer it. Be it the turkey or gravy boat. I understand that energy wise and moneywise it doesnt make sense. But dont forget to honour your wants once in a while. Even if you are the only person who needs it, please get it.
I absolutely love seeing these lists because they're SO PERSONAL. For example, I love candles so much so it's always fun for me to get new seasonal candles every year (though last year I started making my own, so much fun!)
When the kids started trick or treating, i bought a balck canvas bag (from Joann's or Michaels Craft Store) for each of them. I used white and glow in the dark paint pens to write their name and draw a cute decoration on each bag. Then each year, I wrote the year and their costume on their bags (when they were old enough, they took over the project themselves, so it's in their own handwriting). They have loved pulling out their bag each year and reminiscing about their past costumes. As the kids got older, they have opted for a good ol fashioned pillow case, but they still add the year & costume to the bag.
Similarly, for Easter (I realize it's not that season right now), we use the same Easter basket each year, and the kids left out their baskets for the Easter bunny to fill. We reused the shredded paper in the baskets as well. I never liked the idea of so much waste, so we do our best to cut down on it.
Another great video Marissa. Thanks!
Pyrex measuring cup as a gravy boat - love it! 😊
I’m so glad that I found you on the UA-cam right before the holiday season approaching ！ Thank you ！
I’m retired, we used to do a gift exchange at work. I’m glad I don’t have to spend money on that anymore plus I don’t need a darn thing! Yesterday I actually decluttered the last 2 gifts I received at work!!
Yes! So much is “stuff got stuff’s sake” with those kinds of exchanges 😢
Trick or treating with a pillowcase...oh, the memories.
Totally understandable cuts in expenses. We buy some of these (family photoshoot, wreath or candles), but I can't understand how we - as a people - allowed ourselves to go so deep into nicknacks and seasonal stuff. I so much prefer traditions like making gingerbread house from scratch or just making a snowman (central Europe here, we have snow for Christmas sometimes).
Thanks for sharing your point of view, as always.
I have broken all 40 some already for this coming Christmas! I try and be a minimalist, but I love Christmas!
I have a handful of frames which I swap out the art in, depending on the season. The idea is to have a number of pictures that I can choose from, all tidy in an envelope, that I can change out to totally change the vibe of the room. So this time of the year, I have an image of a black pewter vase on a dark grey wood table, with various jewel-toned and black flowers; one with a medieval room with a fireplace, candles and a deep red velvet couch with a man standing beside it (face hidden) in a black shirt with black lace cuffs.
When I decorate for a season or holiday, I like to create the *feel* of it, without having super obvious items (with the exception of a Christmas tree, but I still go more natural the decorating of it). So right now (end of October) I have a vase with fresh colours in white, orange, green and red, 4 small fresh gourds, a handful of thrifted glass tealight holders in jewel tomes, thrifted wood tealight holders made out of natural birch, some pinecones that I foraged for, and also some maple leaves that have turned to a beautiful red.
When we get closer to Christmas, I will leave the jewel-toned and birch tealight holders out, as well as the pine cones, and add some wood pieces, pine cones and sticks/branches I foraged for last year, as well as some red sumac flowers I foraged for last year. I will also be gathering a few evergreen branches, and will also add small lights.
I am thinking of doing that this year!
For the last several years, instead of a whole turkey we have marinated turkey tenderloins cooked in a cast iron skillet and it's delicious!
I mean, I agree but…that cat pillow at 09:15 is SO CUTE though 🥹 🐈⬛ 😅
It is really, really cute 😂 BUT I RESISTED!!!
@@AtoZenLife it was cute. I have two xmas pillows same ones for years. And I be honest sometime they are so annoying i toss them on the floor. lol
I dont know how people have so many pillows in beds. drive me crazy lol
No. 40 is the most important advice. Thank you for this video. These are great tips to not waste money and energy later on.
Marissa, it would be interesting to hear how you make christmas special when you don’t buy or have most of the things people associate with christmas 🎄
For our family, spending time focused on family and friends is what makes the holiday special. We take walks, have movie marathons (Harry Potter in Pyjamas!), do Christmas baking for friends together.
What do you mean? She has a tree, the kids have gifts… they bake and cook for the holidays. She just doesn’t buy a ton of things. Christmas isn’t supposed to be about excess consumerism.
@@Wolfmama99 I mean that I would like to hear more about what kind of traditions they have at christmas to make the season special. I haven’t written anything about christmas beeing about consumerism.
I LOVE that you shared this so early in the holiday season. I feel like many years, I'll get halfway through December and then realize I'm doing waaaay too much 😅 Thanks for the reminder to keep it simple 🖤
Thanks so much and wishing you a SIMPLIFIED and joyful holiday 🥰🙏
These are great ideas. I do however love my gravy boat and meat thermometer. I use my gravy boat regularly and the meat thermometer several times a week on pork, steak, roasts, and salmon to name a few. We are definitely foodies over here. Nothing goes to waste though. I have a large family and we fight over the leftovers😂
Great video, I feel less stressed already! Thank you. I'm going to watch it again nearer christmas time to keep myself motivated! ❤
I have the same canvas bags and I LOVE them! I keep a couple in the car, and a couple at home. I use them all the time. As our family grows (we are up to 12 grandkids now), it has become very expensive to buy gifts for everyone. This year we are having a "secret Santa" (each adult will buy a gift for another adult), and we will be buying individual gifts for each grandchild.
Love all of this!!!
This list really highlights some interesting differences between the UK/Europe and the US! (Not saying we don't have seasonal decor here, I just don't see it as frequently) A lot of the items you mention aren’t things I’d ever think to buy-except maybe a costume. I have a black cape, gloves, and a witch hat, but I can always switch it up to be a vampire instead. I don't think buying a new costume every year is necessary. Halloween feels like such an odd holiday to go 'all out' for, especially compared to Christmas, and I personally find seasonal decorations a bit wasteful. Also, Glühwein is basically just mulled wine, and I personally love it! Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Yeah where I live Halloween is not such a big thing. Children might dress up, but adults don't really get into it. I don't really understand the point of Halloween !?
I find it interesting that your children eat duck but not turkey (do they eat ham?). I love to decorate but hate putting it away. As a result many years ago, I went through all the old Christmas decor and got rid of about 80 percent of it. I kept my favorite items and I put them out in a couple of rooms. I still keep my mom's Christmas village (sentimental reasons) and it is a lot, but there have been years where it stayed in the closet depending on what is going on in my life at that time.
We started buying just the turkey breast since no one likes dark meat in our family, or taking apart the turkey leftovers.
Great idea! 🦃 🍁
We could share a 🦃! We love the dark meat and the bones for making soup 🍲 😂😊
@@MyFocusVaries that’d be a great way to go for two families! So much savings! 😊😆
I agree with almost everything. We do use a meat thermometer frequently, I have two gravy boats, one is crystal the other white which we’ve used for over forty years. Also, I buy a live Christmas wreath from a local garden club to which they use the proceeds for a scholarship fund. I rarely buy anything holiday themed.
Love your channel! I’ve learned so much from you❤
Minimalist Grinch! Ahaha you made me laugh! You are definitely nowhere near that, but it's such a hilarious expression! Happy Halloween!😁🎃🍂
Yay!!! I was looking forward to this video! I am definitely feeling the stress. I refuse to go into debt for Christmas! I pay cash for everything, but I am still trying to watch my budget. Great video!
That’s a great mindset to have! 🙌 All the best.
Since my daughter had covid Christmas day 2020, which resulted in visiting family being cancelled last minute, we had a lot of food left over. We made a Christmas dinner pie which can use any combination of christmas dinner leftovers, we then topped with crushed roast potatoes. We continue to do this as our boxing day lunch, which makes a change from just having cold leftovers. If you have individual pie dishes everyone could create their own, which would add a bit of fun to it.
We started using the projector light for Christmas and it's been soooo nice!! We also have one inflatable that our son adores. Both store easily in a small box and it takes us ten minutes to put up while our neighbors are spending hours putting up lights.
I love practical people. Even if there are a few preferences you enjoy, you are aware of not getting sucked in to mass overconsumption.
A few years ago we started two traditions in our family.
Firstly, we do Swedish taco smorgasbord for Christmas. Anyone can eat their favourite taco and the preparation time is minimal. Great for food preferences and allergies too. Minimal waste as well since we help one another to finish each bowl as they start to empty, and because any leftovers - like graded cheese, boiled eggs, sour cream or chopped vegetables - can be used for other dishes.
Secondly, we give one big gift or experience to children (for Christmas or birthdays) and services (like mending something for someone, hanging curtains for older relatives, building together or cooking for someone) or experiences to the adults. Experiences could be a day in the slopes together, a picnic, eating dinner together, visiting a beautiful place in nature, watch a movie together etc.
I love your channel, It has helped me so much!!💖 Can you do a video about digital photos? I have tens of thousands of photos from over the years and I don't know how to go about de-cluttering them, Or if I should just keep them all? I have them all saved on flashdrives/HDD, so it doesn't take up any physical space, I can just tuck it away,.. But when I go looking through the photos I feel overwhelmed. I also feel like im taking too many pictures in general, It feels like all the real memories are getting buried. How do you manage all your photos, and are there any guidelines/rules you follow when taking new photos?
Fresh cranberries freeze really well. You can use just what you need when baking or making other recipes with cranberries and keep the rest frozen.
That’s the thing-I never used them in anything else either! I guess it was more of a “fantasy self” thing for me. 😅
I totally agree with you!! Thank you for making this video 🙏
The creamer from our Corelle set is what I put our gravy in for the two of us. We have the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook from 2008. It's one of the few cookbooks that we still have after I started decluttering. SL has the BEST recipes! Stockings are fun for us and we do yummy treats like oranges and candy and some kind of handmade gift like a poem or artwork. We've been debt free for 11 years and are keeping it that way. I appreciate how you're affirming that we each need to find what is important to us. Good stuff!
I agree with a lot of that and being from Brazil I have always been amazed by the amount of stuff that Americans stores in the house and money they spend on stuff that are seasonal.
I now wonder what your holiday traditions are.