Hi Joan! Many years ago, I purchased a 3ft tinsel tree at Walmart for $30 and it was the best thing I did. It's small, easy to store and it gives me all the vibes of Christmas without all the fuss. As for gifts this year, we aren't doing them at all. The cost of living was so damn high this year that we refuse to get into debt to buy gifts. Honestly, I feel relieved that we aren't doing it. Since Covid, my entire view on spending has changed. That was the best thing that came out of that pandemic, lol...
Getting into debt to buy gifts is definitely a terrible idea... knowing that I have done it myself lol. And I agree, covid has changed a lot of ways we think of things, especially money. Thanks again for watching!
Hey girl! LoL i´m totally there!! We don´t buy christmas presents anymore for loved ones. The only ones to get presents are our 2 boys that´s it!!! I have to confess that i dislike this holiday for so many reasons like decorating the tree getting gifts going to the mall for stuff and wrapping them and then putting under our tree ughhh all the hazzle the clutter ughhh i just can´t. It´s all to much and way to much noise and clutter.. For me i just want good food meat family hang out and chill!!! I don´t want anything i love quiet and just staying home watching my favorit series The Stranger things wow awesome stuff...
Yea! We should limit Christmas gifts to kids only. Why do adults need to be indulged in that?! They can buy themselves things instead, but kids can’t. Also if someone needs me to give a gift to them to prove I care about them….then that’s sad and I don’t want someone like that in my life anyway! The world shouldn’t be sooooooo materialistic.
Seriously, i hate going to the mall! And it makes sense that your kids should be the only ones getting gifts. The holidays these days for me are all about food and being with family as well. Thanks for watching!
Years ago my husband and I cut it WAY back, but I refuse to cut gift giving etc a.k.a. Christmas out of our lives. We discussed how you dont have to spend $100+ on someone for a gift. The gift just has to be special for the person you are giving it to. So I loved your ideas. We have had a limit of $50 for the last 15 years. Sometimes we go over and sometimes (most) we are way under. Ive asked for slippers or ear buds. I will make two dozen Christmas sugar cookies and maybe some Christmas fudge. Thats enough for 2 people for MONTHS (we usually freeze at least half and give away the rest). We also do most if not all of our shopping online. We have a tradition of having Italian food (chicken cacciatore) and cheap wine or champagne for dinner and then french silk pie for dessert. Weird, I know. Then, we go to Mazatlan MX for two weeks at the end of February for our "big" gift (we would go anyway lol).
Great and timely video, Joan! As you spoke, I didn't sense any lack of holiday spirit. In fact, you have helped ease my own (over)thinking about decisions not to send holiday cards, get roped into the office gift exchange or succumb to worrying upon a false idea that I've become a "bah humbug." 😆 Seriously, I felt less anxiety the last few years from NOT decorating. When I was a kid and young adult, my family did the winter holidays in a BIG way. But we didn't have the ticketed events but would do an old fashioned, slow drive-by and walk through town to savor the variety of decorations displayed at so many homes. It is still one of my favorite holiday traditions. This year, I'll be decorating with 3 pine cones foraged during an early autumn walk, a beautifully scented balsalm candle and one string of faery lights to drape around some plants. Thankful for all the years of "big Christmas," and now very content to celebrate it mindfully in peace. Thank you, it's always enjoyable to see another JQ video!
That sounds like a lovely, minimalist style holiday season you’ll have this year. Love it! I’m still debating what I’ll do instead of a tree, but I’ll still go all out on cooking food haha like i always do every year to celebrate. I’m glad my video can ease your mind on the holidays. Thanks always for watching!
I agree. Everything feels like clutter, everything feels like wasted money, everything feels like a pain in the ass. I will buy a holiday mug here and there, but my kids break my mugs constantly. We don't store them, but use all year.
The problem too is that they run Christmas in our faces earlier and earlier every year and it just starts to feel chaotic. Like why did i start seeing Christmas stuff already in September at the hardware store??
To those close to me, I buy them something inexpensive I know (or at least hope) that they will love. And I offset that purchase with a gift card for someplace I know they frequent. As for Christmas lights, years ago I started converting the purchases towards LED lights. They are smaller to store and take up less energy, so a reduced electric bill. I've reversed he Christmas card giving. As responding to those cards that were given to me, then I reciprocate. The following years, you can keep them on your mailing list as they've given one to you the year prior. Just some holiday thoughts...Happy Holidays!
Agree with you on so much of this. What happened to reusing the Christmas decor from years before? Some of mine go back to when I was first married 30+ years ago. Have people thrown tradition out the window? I have bought a couple of things this year but they will be part of the annual traditions. The main one (don't laugh)--a reusable advent calendar for my dogs. Last year I bought one that had treats in it. The treats sucked and when the season was over with, you threw it away, how wasteful! And this year they are $8 each, I need two. Instead I found a beautiful one with drawers at TJMaxx for $20 that I can use indefinitely. My gift list is tiny, and that's fine by me. My husband and I are going to a concert in December with a meet and greet that is part of our Christmas gift, not sure if we will do anything else or not.
I've always loved the idea of advent calendars but never did them because of your very reason of it being wasteful. But I actually love that idea that you found a reusable one! I'm all about having holiday traditions and just reusing or redoing what we've always done and not paying for new things every year. It just makes it extra special and meaningful. Thanks so much for watching!
I think the hardest part for me is not gift giving although I hate it, but I worry that people will be disappointed or think differently of me if I don’t give gift’s especially if they give me gifts. My husband’s family is s kind and always give us gifts but they are never anything we need or want so they always end up getting donated. I don’t know how to tell them that we don’t need any gifts.
When people want to get me gifts, i always say beer, tequila, scotch, or gift cards to Ulta or Chick Fil A. From Ulta, I just replace daily products and try to make them last.
I made a Christmas video last year where it kind of shows it. But I’m planning to do another video this year and I’ll definitely show the steps for the mulled wine! 😊
Hi Joan! Many years ago, I purchased a 3ft tinsel tree at Walmart for $30 and it was the best thing I did. It's small, easy to store and it gives me all the vibes of Christmas without all the fuss. As for gifts this year, we aren't doing them at all. The cost of living was so damn high this year that we refuse to get into debt to buy gifts. Honestly, I feel relieved that we aren't doing it. Since Covid, my entire view on spending has changed. That was the best thing that came out of that pandemic, lol...
Getting into debt to buy gifts is definitely a terrible idea... knowing that I have done it myself lol. And I agree, covid has changed a lot of ways we think of things, especially money. Thanks again for watching!
Hey Joan 👋. I stopped wasting money on Christmas stuff years ago. We don't do gifts in our family. Drop some money on the kids......Job done ✔️ 😊
Haha! Great idea!! Thanks again for watching! 😆
Hey girl! LoL i´m totally there!! We don´t buy christmas presents anymore for loved ones. The only ones to get presents are our 2 boys that´s it!!! I have to confess that i dislike this holiday for so many reasons like decorating the tree getting gifts going to the mall for stuff and wrapping them and then putting under our tree ughhh all the hazzle the clutter ughhh i just can´t. It´s all to much and way to much noise and clutter.. For me i just want good food meat family hang out and chill!!! I don´t want anything i love quiet and just staying home watching my favorit series The Stranger things wow awesome stuff...
Yea! We should limit Christmas gifts to kids only. Why do adults need to be indulged in that?! They can buy themselves things instead, but kids can’t. Also if someone needs me to give a gift to them to prove I care about them….then that’s sad and I don’t want someone like that in my life anyway! The world shouldn’t be sooooooo materialistic.
Seriously, i hate going to the mall! And it makes sense that your kids should be the only ones getting gifts. The holidays these days for me are all about food and being with family as well. Thanks for watching!
@Haiokbai I totally agree that kids should get gifts and not adults!
I feel the same way about Christmas
Years ago my husband and I cut it WAY back, but I refuse to cut gift giving etc a.k.a. Christmas out of our lives. We discussed how you dont have to spend $100+ on someone for a gift. The gift just has to be special for the person you are giving it to. So I loved your ideas. We have had a limit of $50 for the last 15 years. Sometimes we go over and sometimes (most) we are way under. Ive asked for slippers or ear buds. I will make two dozen Christmas sugar cookies and maybe some Christmas fudge. Thats enough for 2 people for MONTHS (we usually freeze at least half and give away the rest). We also do most if not all of our shopping online. We have a tradition of having Italian food (chicken cacciatore) and cheap wine or champagne for dinner and then french silk pie for dessert. Weird, I know. Then, we go to Mazatlan MX for two weeks at the end of February for our "big" gift (we would go anyway lol).
all of your videos click with the things I've been reading in the book 'Magnetic Aura', warm recommendation to everyone
Great and timely video, Joan! As you spoke, I didn't sense any lack of holiday spirit. In fact, you have helped ease my own (over)thinking about decisions not to send holiday cards, get roped into the office gift exchange or succumb to worrying upon a false idea that I've become a "bah humbug." 😆 Seriously, I felt less anxiety the last few years from NOT decorating. When I was a kid and young adult, my family did the winter holidays in a BIG way. But we didn't have the ticketed events but would do an old fashioned, slow drive-by and walk through town to savor the variety of decorations displayed at so many homes. It is still one of my favorite holiday traditions. This year, I'll be decorating with 3 pine cones foraged during an early autumn walk, a beautifully scented balsalm candle and one string of faery lights to drape around some plants. Thankful for all the years of "big Christmas," and now very content to celebrate it mindfully in peace. Thank you, it's always enjoyable to see another JQ video!
That sounds like a lovely, minimalist style holiday season you’ll have this year. Love it! I’m still debating what I’ll do instead of a tree, but I’ll still go all out on cooking food haha like i always do every year to celebrate. I’m glad my video can ease your mind on the holidays. Thanks always for watching!
I agree. Everything feels like clutter, everything feels like wasted money, everything feels like a pain in the ass. I will buy a holiday mug here and there, but my kids break my mugs constantly. We don't store them, but use all year.
The problem too is that they run Christmas in our faces earlier and earlier every year and it just starts to feel chaotic. Like why did i start seeing Christmas stuff already in September at the hardware store??
To those close to me, I buy them something inexpensive I know (or at least hope) that they will love. And I offset that purchase with a gift card for someplace I know they frequent.
As for Christmas lights, years ago I started converting the purchases towards LED lights. They are smaller to store and take up less energy, so a reduced electric bill.
I've reversed he Christmas card giving. As responding to those cards that were given to me, then I reciprocate. The following years, you can keep them on your mailing list as they've given one to you the year prior.
Just some holiday thoughts...Happy Holidays!
That's a good idea to keep track of who reciprocates Christmas cards. Thanks for sharing your ideas as always! Happy Holidays!
Great advice. I’m with you!
Thanks for watching!
Agree with you on so much of this. What happened to reusing the Christmas decor from years before? Some of mine go back to when I was first married 30+ years ago. Have people thrown tradition out the window? I have bought a couple of things this year but they will be part of the annual traditions. The main one (don't laugh)--a reusable advent calendar for my dogs. Last year I bought one that had treats in it. The treats sucked and when the season was over with, you threw it away, how wasteful! And this year they are $8 each, I need two. Instead I found a beautiful one with drawers at TJMaxx for $20 that I can use indefinitely. My gift list is tiny, and that's fine by me. My husband and I are going to a concert in December with a meet and greet that is part of our Christmas gift, not sure if we will do anything else or not.
I've always loved the idea of advent calendars but never did them because of your very reason of it being wasteful. But I actually love that idea that you found a reusable one! I'm all about having holiday traditions and just reusing or redoing what we've always done and not paying for new things every year. It just makes it extra special and meaningful. Thanks so much for watching!
Thanks Joan 🎁
You are so welcome!
Great saving tips!
Glad it was helpful!
perfect timing
Thank you, it’s that time of year for sure! The holiday craze seems to get earlier and earlier every year!
Good video
Glad you enjoyed! Thank you!
I really enjoy your contents…keep ‘em coming! proud Pinay here fr Oz :)
Glad you like them!
I think the hardest part for me is not gift giving although I hate it, but I worry that people will be disappointed or think differently of me if I don’t give gift’s especially if they give me gifts. My husband’s family is s kind and always give us gifts but they are never anything we need or want so they always end up getting donated. I don’t know how to tell them that we don’t need any gifts.
Food place gift cards are great!
When people want to get me gifts, i always say beer, tequila, scotch, or gift cards to Ulta or Chick Fil A. From Ulta, I just replace daily products and try to make them last.
Haha yes! Drinks are the best gift ideas!
@@JoanQuinto I forgot chocolate or coffee. Also both welcome items that are consumables!!!
Please show us how you make your wine ❤
I made a Christmas video last year where it kind of shows it. But I’m planning to do another video this year and I’ll definitely show the steps for the mulled wine! 😊
I have a fake Christmas tree .
4 ft .. on sale 3.75 .i just have a room for rent it will be fine
I just bought a bigger trash can
Haha! Good one!
another great video, if this makes you tick read 'Magnetic Aura' it will help you a lot