And time. Because shopping for all those gifts takes time, even if you shop online.  If you took the amount of hours you spent shopping, wrapping and sending gifts and multiplied that by what you earn per hour at work … what would that add up to for you?

This post is not about murdering the spirit of christmas though to save a buck, but about prioritising our time and money.

We are encouraged in the retail feeding frenzy that is the Festive season to go nuts, show your love, appreciation, acknowledge people with …. gifts. Throw some money at it. It’s a valid tactic. No-ones saying its not. If you’re trying to simplify though. If money or debt is an issue for you If your priorities have changed. If for any number of reasons you are looking to save time and money or find new ways and traditions this is for you.

We overhauled the Xmas Card list last week. See that post here. There is some common themes with saving on Xmas gifts. Essentially though we start by making a list of people you are intending to buy gifts for. Then our options are:

  1. Reduce the number of people on your list.
  2. Spend less per person

or both. Easy peasy right ?! In theory but not always in practice. So start here.

 

Acknowledge that you may be part of the problem.

 

Wait. What! … let me explain. It’s easy to blame Society, the silly season and Retail Giants Marketing, Aunt Sarah, Media and Advertising, peer pressure, expectations, feeling obliged or not wanting to appear rude but none of it happens if we’re not actively perpetuating that system ourselves. I’m not here to reprimand anyone because we all do it. I simply want you to realise that the power of change is in your hands. That’s the great news. So here’s some ideas:

Have the hard conversations.

Extended family, service providers, work colleagues, secret Santa, teachers, friends old and new, the children of friends. The people that buy presents for you or your children and so you return the “favour”. Neighbours. Even your nearest and dearest. It can really get out of hand. Only you can decide the people and places that can be eliminated from your list altogether or that can simply be thanked by card or in person for their kindness without reciprocating. If you are only negligibly involved in someone’s life through work, children, community etc is it really necessary? Eliminating from the gift list closer connections can often be achieved through the simply having that conversation of what you’d like to do, in person or through explanatory email because of distance. This may seem a little daunting or awkward but a positive response and relief is often the response.

A little honesty goes a long way.

If your finances can’t handle it. You’re paying down debts or increasing savings. You or your children have too many things already or no space for more. Whether you’re focusing away from material gifts to other things. Amongst a few diehards, you’ll find many happy to take the seasons pressures down a notch or stop altogether.

Transform the way you do things.

Eliminate Secret Santa.  Have a group morning tea instead or if gifts seem important to you all – everyone can throw in a few dollars  – buy an office plant, or sandwich toaster.  Something useful or wanted by the team. See if your friends would prefer a picnic, night out, coffee or pedicure date individually or as a group. Have a neighbourhood BBQ date instead of gifts – everyone can bring a plate and those who can’t or don’t want to are off the hook.

But what about Family ???

If you want to make changes here too, look at the last 2 points above and adapt them. Have the Hard conversations and a little honesty goes a long way. Here’s a couple of options to put forward when having those conversations.

 

  1. You all agree to stop giving to extended family. Just your own partner and children. Maybe one for Nan and Pop.
  2. The Children only option. No adults. Age cut off of 16, 18 or 21.
  3. The family present. One family. One present. Here’s where movie tickets. Zoo passes or Gift vouchers to favourite stores are fantastic.
  4.  The hat draw. Each family member gets one other family member. Set a $ limit so it’s fair for all. If you’re a family of 5 you’ll get 5 presents. Buy five presents. If you’re the single bachelor/bachelorette same thing. Buy 1 get 1. If you all want to throw in and get the grandparents something bigger because it doesn’t feel right for you not getting your mum and dad something because you didn’t draw their names – go for it.

 

Don’t get discouraged if you get some resistance. There is nearly always an aunt, uncle, family member, colleague or friend of some description who is just hell bent on keeping everything as it’s always been. Make them the exception to the rule. For everyone that is on board .. stop the presents. DO NOT avoid changing where you can because of a few or even many people. Eliminate everyone who is happy to do so and let them eliminate you. It does make a difference and I’ve found more people come on board every year as others realise you’re serious and see the benefits. Also they may feel a wee bit silly insisting on presents when so many others don’t require them.

If you have any other ideas for the community on this we’d love to hear them and what you’re doing.

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