15 Holiday Items I Don't Buy (to save money & reduce clutter!)

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you so much for watching today!! You can find Rachel's KZbin Channel: www.youtube.com/@RachelCruze Rachel's New Children's Book "I'm Glad for What I Have": amzn.to/47DBz26 My Full Gift Guide 2023: amzn.to/3G0eEC0 My Full List of Gifts Under $10: amzn.to/47p8mr9 Grace Flame Candle Subscription from Mercy House Global: gracecraftedhome.com/products/grace-flame I love you and hope you have a great weekend! - Dawn

[@teresagibbs4013]

What company do you purchase your candle subscription from? Would love to check it out

[@TheMinimalMom]

@@teresagibbs4013 grace flame through mercy House global!

[@ninnymuggins5159]

Dawn, for real, stay out of Target altogether! 😘

[@jwest649]

@@ninnymuggins5159Amen to that! Kinda makes me sad but since Walmart is coming up in the world, I’ll just go there, which is also cheaper!

[@juliegyorke325]

We just do stockings and no gifts. PJ are fun but not every year.

[@suekay1852]

I have two adult single children who both live out of state. Their careers (nurse and pilot) do not lend themselves to both being home on the same holiday. Instead of Christmas and Birthday gifts, we have decided to plan a long weekend with the just the four of us (we call ourselves the Core Four) in February or March of each year in the mountains (renting a cabin) where we just spend time together. We are all excited to make this an annual tradition.

[@sj6728]

That is such a fantastic plan!!!!

[@soothinggentlesounds]

Perfect!

[@poodledaddles1091]

Wonderful!

[@psymompa]

Perfect.

[@hopecolegio2662]

That’s is great!

[@Chericherry4]

I have 24 grandchildren. The things people call “stocking stuffers” are the actual gifts in my world. I got tired of feeling bad that I couldn’t give them more expensive things. I let the guilt go and just try to spend time with them whenever I can (not all at once 😂). The hardest part is not giving my (six) adult children (and the six spouses) nice gifts--they are forever my babies. They don’t need anything, but I love to give.

[@alishawatters8791]

Just an idea maybe a family gift. Like a game or gift card to a restaurant. That way you can gift but not buy so much

[@corinnarambo7466]

I was just talking with a cousin about the year we all got one pair of tube socks from grandma. We had so much fun. We made sock puppets and played outside. Tag with puppets. The boys found pecans to put in the socks and chased each other. No one expected gifts.

[@karenrich9092]

My great-grandmother had 18 great-grandchildren, so when I was a teenager, she started buying us magazine subscriptions. Sometimes, I would renew my subscription or get a new one, but it was usually 12 presents a year! Of course, I was lucky to spend New Year's Eve with her. That was always a great memory until she passed in 1984. Memories are always priceless.

[@nl1927]

Grandma of 10 here. Now on a budget because of retirement. My children have school accounts set for their children. Unless there is something the child needs such as snow suits, shoes, rain or camping gear ( we have scouts). We put money in their education account. My mom the great grandma gives them a family zoo pass or in our area we have the McKinney museum that has activities all year round. Makes it easier on my 95 year old mother

[@Kristenoyinbo]

I give home made cookies and family games. Don't feel guilty what matters is family and spending time together ❤

[@patriciag9063]

My husband has been wearing the same sweater for Christmas for the last 27 years! The funniest thing , our adult son has borrowed it several times to attend an ugly sweater party!

[@julievw6520]

That's hilarious...and great! 😉

[@kwlloyd7]

I actually have two Christmas sweaters, each at least 30 years old. The showy one has images of Santa, stockings, reindeer, etc. with jingle bells included. The other is dark green with dark burgundy, trim, and has 4 inch high, embroidered Christmas trees around the waist. I wear them once or twice before Christmas, and then frequently through the Twelve Days.

[@axthelmsr]

😂😂😂😂😂 great story!

[@pippas5808]

I was asked to wear a Christmas jumper to an event a few years back, so I found a navy one with white snowflakes and red trim. It's festive enough to pass as a Christmas jumper, but because it's 'wintery' rather than festive, I can wear it for the whole of winter!

[@wijzeuil72]

Teacher here. I think most of us would be absolutely thrilled with a simple handwritten note of thanks. I don't think most people realize how rare it is for a teacher to hear that they are appreciated by parents and families. I appreciate the thought behind wanting to give the teacher a chance to relax, but what is relaxing for you may not be relaxing for a teacher. I got a gift card last year for a spa experience that I could not use. It sits in the drawer unused, which makes me feel guilty every time I see it. A gift card for Amazon or Target is so much easier for a teacher to use - I can decide if I need something for my classroom that I would otherwise have spent my own money on. Or, one year, I pooled all my Amazon gift cards and bought a lovely bench for my bedroom that I use and enjoy every day! Another year I bought myself all new bras! Unless you know the teacher well enough to know that they truly want a spa experience, stick to something general.

[@hopefullytoday]

Agree with you 💯! My Mom got a spa gift card and would never use it so we resold it for less to give her the money from it. She said she wouldn't feel comfortable going to a spa. The other thing I noticed from when I was a Teachers assistant is that everyone gives Starbucks cards. I along with a few other teachers don't drink coffee and ended up giving the cards away.

[@jacquelinegiesbrecht5801]

It is soo sad that a teacher has to buy Things for the classroom from his own money. At least until now in Germany the school will buy Things like that

[@tracycarlsen1694]

Yes, I would love a genuine, hand written note. And if thats not the gift givers style target or Amazon gift cards are wonderful. Just this week bought supplies from target for my class to make parent gifts

[@desertfish6239]

I agree. As a teacher, I cherish handwritten notes from parents and students. I re-read them when I'm feeling down or just need a trip down memory lane. I appreciate all who are thinking of me but I do not need another mug. I don't drink coffee or tea. I'm diabetic so the candy gets passed on to someone else. One parent enclosed a note in a card that said, "You do so much, please treat yourself." He enclosed $20. It was a surprise and so unexpected.

[@rnguyen2516]

May I ask why spa cards can’t be used? Is it because the gift card wouldn’t be able to cover any of the services? Or that the teacher just doesn’t like that particular spa? At my school the PTO lists “Teacher Favorite Things” that helps us a lot. This year my daughter’s teacher asked for each child to bring in an a ornament for her classroom tree. I printed a picture of my daughter and teacher from the first day of school and put it into an ornament frame that I got from Michaels for under $3. Inside the ornament my daughter wrote her a little note. Another year my son did a reading competition with our librarian and wrote her a note, thanking her for recommending him book series that he ended up loving and for helping him with the competition. She must not receive many notes because she told me that she hung it up on her fridge! I try to go off of the list but also give Amazon and Target cards.

[@kimlarsen8515]

Since my daughters were teens, and still now, STOCKINGS are the BOMB! I replenish the lip balms and purse sized hand lotions, and hair ties, and bath bombs and nail color. So much fun and they need them and use them and it makes buying their main gift so much easier.

[@beverlybenson9981]

I do the same with my son and his wife. Stockings seem to be the perfect gift for them. I put small items in the large stockings they use, plus gift cards and candy. They always look forward to them.

[@amara_666]

As a teacher, I appreciate you highlighting that we *do not* need more mugs - gift cards are *very* much appreciated. :D

[@js1js135]

As a veteran teacher, I can honestly say that even just a $5.00 gift card to Dunkin Donuts is greatly appreciated!!! I also love handwritten notes/pictures from my students!!!Such a treasure!!!!❤

[@jujube2407]

And as a mom of 3... that means nearly 30 teachers, aides, bus drivers etc... $150 is about what we have to spend on each kiddo... heart felt cards with words and drawings, and usually something the kids made...last year they made their teachers a fabric ornament for their tree...

[@shellparrish]

My husband and I couldn’t afford big gifts when we were first married so we just filled stockings for one another. It was the “container concept” before minimalism was popular. 😊 It reminded us of our youth and yet wasn’t expensive. 35 years later and we still enjoy stockings.

[@js1js135]

I just left this same comment about our stockings. ❤

[@grutarg2938]

Yeah - because as an adult there's very little you want or need that you don't just provide for yourself. But it's still nice to have a few little treats and surprises.

[@victory8356]

We do this as well! As our children have grown they actually look forward to their stockings more than anything else. So there aren't many gifts but there's always the fun of what's in your stocking. I appreciate that it is a tradition that we can carry forward. It's nice to see others do the same thing!

[@generalleia5374]

I think it's more about the kind of things that go into the stocking: small flashlights, nice nail polish/makeup, crayons/rolled up coloring book, small craft supplies/kit, gift cards, jewelry/smart watch.... I would rather have a stocking as a kid and as an adult. So, they lost my vote on that.

[@katiegleaves3792]

Same here! When we shared a house with friends, I sewed a stocking for each member of the house, including the dogs, using repurposed fabrics or a "fat quarter" in a design that was representative of the person (or pup). We all got to play Santa and tuck little things in each other's stockings and it was awesome. Items were usually favorite snacks, fidget toys, new gloves/hat/socks, chapstick, lotion, gift cards, coffee, mini games, etc. Plus, since everything was hung on the mantle, it kept gifts up off the floor, safe from the pups and baby. My husband and I still use those same stockings, 15 years later!

[@StephanieGiese]

We have a reusable wooden advent calendar. My youngest daughter loves to spend time after dinner on Thanksgiving filling each spot with little scraps of paper that each say something fun on them that doesn’t cost any money. Then each day in December we take out one piece and do the activity. It might be driving to look at lights, or watching a Christmas movie, or making hot chocolate, etc.

[@sheilaenglish9738]

Brilliant idea

[@sammym1311]

This is such a great idea!

[@kwlloyd7]

My grandmother used to send us an advent calendar. Back then, some of the calendars would have an image in the window and a short Bible verse on the inside of the door. I wish I could still find those. I still purchase advent calendars, but only the flat ones. I consider that the pleasure of seeing what the artist has imagined inside the door is enough of a gift each day.

[@jonniejolie]

I love this idea with the notes for activities. I actually came to the comments about my reusable wood advent calendar. I put tiny pieces of candy, one for each kid, in the drawers, but I might have to mix it up with some things like this.

[@Babywilltravel]

As a kid I loved our advent calendar which was a handmade burlap wallhanging with 3 inch pockets for little $1 gifts wrapped in each (little toys, unfamiliar candies, etc) and 3 of us took turns opening each day filled by my Mom who was young still herself at the time and knew what we liked ... but my kids never liked this tradition because my Mom insisted on filling theirs & was filling the pockets with stuff they couldn't appreciate at their age or just wasn't a good fit for their personality and they were always disappointed with it. After years of that, I started putting stuff I bought for them in too and didn't have the heart to tell my Mom to stop (although I tried) so there was a lot of unwanted stuff coming into the house and it's been impossible to find anything small enough to fit for $1 (not to mention 24 of them) and still make them unique and personal and it stressed me out to wrap everything plus since Mom was filling my kids advent, I felt obligated to fill hers and Dad's but it's even harder to fill 24 small inexpensive yet meaningful items for adults. So we finally let that one go last year when my parents turned 83 and my oldest left for college. But I do feel guilt (like I'm a bad Mom) and a little sad cuz I remember taking one to college with me and had fun sharing that with roommates as we counted down to Christmas break and studied for finals. Mixed emotions, I'm torn but feel relief too.

[@sheilaenglish9738]

Stockings can be a lot of fun. As a child I woke up to find Santa had put the filled stocking on the end of my bed. My sister and I would open our stockings, play with the things we found and not leave our room until our parents got up. That was the deal and their way of making sure they got their sleep. 😆 We had chocolate coins, comic books, little games, snacks and of course an orange in the toe. 😄

[@kayo5291]

This sounds so fun, and smart on their end. The orange was their way of giving you breakfast! 😀

[@Diana-er6fi]

Hi Dawn, I enjoyed this video! I wanted to share, as a teacher of 25 years, my most cherished gifts are handwritten messages of appreciation. Heartfelt, free and so meaningful.🌸

[@sandrapride1046]

Agree

[@sheilaenglish9738]

I agree! Especially if it is enclosed in a card that the student had made.

[@mrskerry8111]

Diana, I think words of encouragement and appreciation feed and nourish our soul. Absolutely the most precious gift.

[@Climbingcoachsam]

I agree! I’m a coach and I have kept cards from my kids every year. Their little writing and the “you’re my favorite coach” means more than any gift.

[@tracimoriarity9669]

We never did an Advent calendar. My girls enjoyed making paper chains. 25 Links--tear one link off every night to count down how many "sleeps" until Christmas. Seeing it get shorter and shorter was exciting!

[@typicalc]

We’ve always done practical stockings - underwear, socks, body care, chocolates and a little fun item or two. Even my grown kids say the stocking is their favourite!

[@Coco-zu9ob]

Agree. That's what I do too and my kids are adults. 😊

[@ben_pettit_4264]

Our 32 year old son says the stocking has always been his favorite too!

[@FarmgirlFriday]

Yes! My mom is great at this - hair bands, nail polish, chocolates, playing cards, small art supplies, etc. And as Rachel’s mother in law Helen does, she wraps each small item so we get to actually open it. Our ages range from 36-11 (9 kids) and stocking are still the favorite of every one of us. Those that are married get stocking items intended for their spouse and kids to.

[@jeanetteburt379]

I can’t remember where I picked up this tip but it’s brilliant and minimal: buy only white wrapping paper for any gift all year, plus a few colors of ribbon to use with it. So Christmas gifts would be wrapped in white with green and red ribbon, but a wedding gift would be wrapped in white with gold or silver ribbon. Pink and blue ribbon for baby gifts, maybe polka dotted ribbon for birthdays. If you buy narrow spools of ribbon, they can all be stored on a dowel rod held between the clips on a skirt hanger, so it takes up minimal space.

[@SassySue67]

Love your idea for keeping the spools of ribbon, genius.

[@sarahko2014]

Brown paper would be cute, too~☆

[@cindygarrison6338]

Ye gods and little fishes.

[@legallyblonde88158]

Where do you find the white wrapping paper from?

[@jomlin143]

We do kraft paper (brown), rustic and vintage

[@caspianblue4141]

I grew up with six siblings and we shared one (1) chocolate treat filled Advent calendar between the six youngest. We each took turns opening a little window, each of us getting three turns in the end. The anticipation was the best part and times were simpler then. Advent and Christmas in Germany was magical, despite us being of very modest means.

[@canary.yellow]

Aww, I'm glad to hear that you have fond memories of that! My 5 kids are sharing one chocolate calendar that was given to us. ❤

[@mmmichellegirl]

I totally agree with your comment about the anticipation...it was so exciting and fun! Our Advent calendars were always religion-based. Many of our friends and family did the Advent calendar but siblings always took turns...whether it was between 2 kids or 4 kids. It was truly a lovely tradition that we kids looked forward to.

[@nancymicklatcher117]

Agree, Advent and Christmas in Germany are magical ❤

[@AndrielleHillis]

I studied German in college and am trying to do a German-themed Christmas this year. So, is the pickle thing real or not?

[@mrsloveandsushi]

A few years ago, all of my adult cousins and their significant others did a White Elephant exchange for Christmas, but it HAD to be something from our house that we weren’t using! We weren’t allowed to buy anything, so I brought candles and there were extra journals and fancy bowls from wedding gifts. It was fun and some ppl went home with great things (and some went home with things to donate 🤣).

[@gratefulketo2211]

I’ve done that before as well with friends. It was a big hit!

[@jrob8071]

Yes- we have done this and it is SO unexpected and fun!

[@rockyandmiles9889]

Our big family does that as well! I love finding things to get rid of 😂

[@katiegleaves3792]

We did this at work one year. So clever and fun! I "gifted" a crazy, decorative Christmas oven mit and apron set. I "received" a nice set of measuring cups and spoons that all stack together nicely! Win, win!

[@helenmak5663]

Good idea. We always have an extra bottle of olive oil and that makes a practical gift from house.

[@lisamalone5988]

My mom did the best stockings! We always had the best jewelry, perfume, socks, and fun little gadgets. And of course, an orange in the toe and chocolate! I don’t have children, so I always fill the stockings for a friend’s children, she has seven and it helps her out and I love to do it. Everyone got a card game, a craft kit and lip balms. The older kids got some make up and body washes and the little ones got a few books and little toys. And of course, goodies!

[@ben_pettit_4264]

Can’t forget the orange in the toe! Even though Mom passed away, I still do the orange in memory of her. ❤

[@nancnanc5004]

Instead of candles, we’ve gone to creating natural scents on the stove. My fav is to throw my apple cores (no waste) into a small kettle, add cinnamon & water & let it simmer to put scent into the air. Smells like you’re baking fresh pies! Can use cranberries & other fruits or fruit peels with seasoning for different scents.

[@pattibrown2939]

My last live Christmas tree was when I had a pine needle stuck in my foot. Wow!! that hurt, no more.

[@hrae118]

We do what Rachel's mother in law does. We buy practical things for stockings. No junk. Favorite drinks/snacks/deo/socks, etc. Our kids , as adults still talk about having "awesome" stockings throughout the years.

[@cassieschreier4571]

Us too! We love doing stockings! We put toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, gift cards! It was also my favorite part of my Christmases growing up!

[@sandyheredia3027]

My husband and I don’t exchange gifts anymore. I tell him by I need nothing. He doesn’t either.

[@karinas.1033]

Teacher gifts are so important! My kids are with them the majority of the day! They deserve the best!

[@gingerdemoss]

I have scaled back Christmas decor a lot over the years, down to 2 totes, one being just tree ornaments and one decor. We still do stockings, but they are only candy or snacks. For presents (I have 3 kids and I'm a single mom) I do the "something you want, something you need, something to wear and something read" my kids love it! And it's less $$ and stress for me.

[@uteme]

Excellent idea!!!

[@haveawonderfulday279]

That's a cool idea! I have never thought about the fact that it seems to be normal for children in the USA to get a bunch of presents. We usually got one presenr per child from our parents (3 siblings, currently 24 years old, from Switzerland)

[@katrinaseavers4938]

How Rachel and everyone in comments is saying “I think of this thing or that thing the same way too”… just shows we are all thinking it, and Dawn is brave enough to SHARE IT!❤ don’t think you will lose friends, Dawn, only gain because you keep it real and are so helpful in walking us through these things that society spends lots of money on trying to convince us we need🙄

[@lidijazivanovic2810]

Every year I cook jam for my adult friends, usually orange with cinnamon- they love it! All of them love my tradition and it is what holidays are about.🎉

[@psymompa]

Biggest money saver, no physical gifts for adult family members. We just exchange consumables (homemade or bought). We are all done with STUFF!!!

[@kgfig]

Agreed

[@lmi747]

That’s fantastic!

[@pamwood3956]

Yes! Last year, my grown nieces and nephews, who are all single and on their own, I got them each a laundry basket and filled it with paper towels, paper plates,, dish soap, toilet paper, body wash, shampoo and some snacks. Stuff everyone will use.

[@julietannOsfan1972]

Adults are important too. Why should children have all the fun.

[@lauraann7816]

@@pamwood3956 I am 61 years old, and I would love that! Who can't use a fresh laundry basket? My husband and I exchange stockings. I get things like the melatonin I take every night, Aspercream roll on-- ya know old people's stuff lol- and of course some treats like Sour Patch Kids and Milky Ways, and even some new pens. It's a fun tradition, and that's money I don't have to spend on things I need 😊

[@karenthomas3138]

People need to do what they are comfortable with and budget friendly. Some of these items are memories I treasure!

[@suz6593]

Stocking are my children’s favorites even as adults!!!!! It’s all in what you put in them. Don’t buy garbage.

[@kristenp5835]

My Mom would usually buy a small toy for our stockings. Then a few pieces of chocolate, a few nuts that people used to crack with the nutcrackers, and always one of those miniature oranges. Even now when I eat that type of orange it makes me smile. ❤

[@js1js135]

Our children are grown. We don’t do presents, but we only do stockings. The “rule” is we can only give what fits in the stocking. It’s a lot of fun and forces us to be careful, thoughtful and creative. ❤

[@sharondalynnewton7562]

Jewelry, rings, make up, lots of stuff can fit in those stockings!

[@Crystal-i7n]

We are doing this exact thing. As each adult moves out there Xmas gifts are what's in a stocking. I love this idea

[@brittneyrussell1766]

We do stockings every year. It was my favorite part of Christmas morning when I was a kid bc my parents would put special toys/treats in there we'd never get any other time bc of expense. And there was always an apple and an orange in the bottom. I do the same thing with my boys and fill them with good quality treats that I wouldn't buy any other time. They tell me the stocking is their favorite part❤

[@rosemarycornwall5162]

The only thig that matters to me is the Christmas stocking.

[@me4011]

What do they love? I have a hard time deciding what to put there for my teen boys other than Chapsticks

[@heatherarmstrong261]

Stockings are my kids' favorite part of Christmas morning too. The kids (who aren't so little in more) all cram onto our bed and we open them together.

[@brittneyrussell1766]

@@me4011 my boys are 14 and 17 and I put gluten free cookies, organic chocolate, organic candy, movies/books and their favorite fruit in theirs. I never buy sweets for them so it's a special treat.

[@brittneyrussell1766]

@@heatherarmstrong261 what a sweet tradition ❤️

[@gigieyre]

I'm a teacher. I never expect a gift. I love getting a card where someone has taken the time to actually write down some kind and lovely words to me. I do re read these notes at different times and it really gives me the encouragement to keep plugging along when I feel like retiring. Also, I love plants and flowers. I'm always thankful for a cute little plant or a bouquet of flowers to admire.

[@Natalie-l3q]

I looked into what's best for the planet: if you already have a plastic tree, use it for as long as possible to keep it off the landfill, but if you don't have a tree, the live one is better because it's capturing carbon over its lifetime and keeping the land it's on from being used for less environmentally friendly purposes, many tree farms have sustainable practices so they can replace trees at an appropriate rate. If you still want a plastic tree, try to buy it second hand, lots of good deals next month! Hope this helps someone decide.

[@sharondalynnewton7562]

Live trees are expensive. Especially full, tall trees. Talk about the unaffordable factor.

[@alliedrexler]

Everything is expensive, including what it takes to grow Christmas trees. How do I know? My family owns and operates a Christmas tree farm. Our prices are in response to not only the market but the costs it takes to operate. The better choice will always be a real tree. A fake tree will last for hundreds of years in a landfill. It's made of harmful chemicals, lead and pvc. Majority of them also come from China. Support your local tree farm-- one acre of land can grow over 1200 trees. These trees provide oxygen, capture carbon, and provide homes for wildlife. For every tree that is harvested, we plant more in its place.

[@clannadgirl46]

@@sharondalynnewton7562yes but they are worth it!

[@clannadgirl46]

We bought a live blue spruce for our first Christmas here in GA 3 yrs ago and afterwards planted it the yard where it will grow and thrive!

[@lisameloon1516]

Advent calendar- my mom bought one probably at least 20+ years ago, it’s fabric and makes the Nativity scene by taking the stars, trees, animals, & people out of the pockets and then they attach to Velcro. Our son is 26 and it’s been a lifelong tradition he still enjoys doing❤

[@shellyjay8954]

Hi Dawn. Long time viewer here. I have learned many helpful decluttering tips and motivations. I have learned about mindsets, habits and emotional roadblocks etc. Thank you. May I be bold to ask you to consider some more positive spins. What I mean is you have covered all the “don’t need” “don’t buy” “get rid of” “don’t need” etc. I would like to see some videos of what makes us happy, enjoying our home, fun things are okay, if you like it…keep it. How about not feeling bad for having a dedicated space for junk. The “Time will tell” is great for paperwork, but most of us need a bin or shelf or closet or something for “I’ll get to it eventually “. Do a video about feeling good about our things. Talk about how having happy things can still be limited but are what makes home homey. Maybe have a dedicated place to store happy things to exchange out, thereby not getting rid of them, but not having ALL of them out at once. Because of your videos, my kitchen has been streamlined and less junky. Thank you. ❤

[@melissa-p2k4v]

Great message. We've scaled back a lot over the years and I just want the season to be low-stress and enjoyable. Also, I want the focus to be on Jesus.

[@trishamoller5292]

To save money *and* the environment, I stopped buying WRAPPING PAPER! Instead, we use gift bags = either store bought (and reused for 20yrs!) OR one year I sewed my fabric scraps into gift bags. This literally took me an hour to make a bunch of different sizes for little money. This would be a great gift for sew-ers to give to their friends/family!

[@katiegleaves3792]

I haven't completely phased out the wrapping paper, but my mom and I did the same (made a bunch of simple fabric gift bags in various sizes several years ago) we made a weekend of it. We use them within our family, and gave a few bundles (sets) to other people as gifts.

[@cs4887]

Not a sewer!! 😬 But I do use the gift bags idea! 😊 and reuse them all the time! They are good quality so they last ages!

[@lisaroberson9105]

To be more eco friendly we also use fabric wrapping in festive colors. Just sew fabric like a pillow case in a few different sizes and tie a fabric bow to close. No clearance shopping for one time use paper, no tape, less trash or recycling. Im not a sewer so these are not fancy, but still fun, festive and easy for kids to use. Easy to store as i store ours in a dresser drawer. We reuse these fabric wrappings all yr for birthdays and for other special occasions like mothers day etc. For gift tags i had scrap wood cut down and drilled a hole at top for ribbon to tie on gift. Paint the wood with chalkboard paint and sign persons name on it with chalk. Erase after use to reuse later. I was able to eliminate a whole shopping trip = less stress and money!

[@wkersch8841]

My family on our vacations buy a Christmas ornament as our souvenir! NO t-shirts that the kids grow out of or other items and then each holiday it's so wonderful to reminisce about all the memories as we decorate the tree instead of having some matching holiday theme for everything for the whole house.

[@BR-kk9qu]

This year, we are only giving gifts that can fit in stockings. Our kids are young adults and this is so much easier! We have pared down our Christmas decorations to one bin and an artificial tree. I use red and white ribbons and love the simplicity!

[@mahlerwolf3734]

Thanks Dawn, this video was very interesting concerning different cultures. In Germany I don't know anybody who does Christmas stockings or matching pajamas and I only know one or two people who have a mug especially for Christmas season. But everybody has an Adventskalender , especially children. And the last few years it becomes more and more common to buy special Adventskalender like with little Lego-items or Playmobil or soaps and other skin- or health products. This year my husband and my son got one with things for fishing. In my childhood it was common to decorate the christmas tree on Christmas Eve , wich is also the time for exchanging presents in our country . But because this was always very stressful, I decided some years ago to adapt the American version as I understand it and we have our Christmas tree from first advent till after Christmas. And here it is also very common to have a real tree and I think most people - like at least 80 %- have a real tree, but it gets more and more common to have an artificial tree. Thanks for the thoughts about presents for the adults. Me and my husband are still working to find an agreement on that one. Nice and helpful video 🌲

[@findingaway5512]

Nice to hear about how you do things there! We have German in our family is so we celebrate Saint Nicholas day and put on our boots to fill up. It always has an orange and gold coins we also have that in our stockings usually. When I was a kid we always had mixed nuts out and in our stockings also not sure if that was a Saint Nicholas thing or not. 😊 My kids love the Saint Nicholas Day tradition. But also we have Catholic heritage so not sure what is what. It will be fun to see what ends up a tradition for my kids and how they change things for their family as time goes on. Every generation puts their own spin on things. I think it's fun how the holidays look different in every single household even throughout America everybody has their own thing they associate with on Christmas.

[@courtneygilmore9771]

I think I bought almost everything on this list 😂 no regrets. I love Christmas and it doesn't stress me out. My Mom barely did anything for Christmas growing up and so I guess I'm making up for it.

[@lorimanha2628]

Stockings are the very best part of gifts!!!! As a kid I couldn’t wait to see my stocking and my kids also love theirs!

[@staceymackowiak1386]

We do the practical stocking too, each kid gets a book, face soap (they use) and a pomegranate as their treat. The pomegranate is the thing they look forward to the most!!!!

[@emotionalstability]

Listening to this is like a breath of fresh air. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who desires a simple holiday season. ☺️🎄❄️

[@lynnew6959]

It’s important for children to give as there is a huge life lesson in giving to others. If they are the only ones receiving presents they are missing the joy that comes with giving. Presents do not need to be big store bought products. Children can help make homemade gifts to give to family members, friends, and neighbors.

[@MelodieH12]

Great video! I have stopped buying a Christmas tree. A few years ago I bought a large canvas painting of a Christmas tree & I hang it up. Also good for my small space!

[@juliastrom9218]

What a neat idea!

[@kayo5291]

I like this idea! I do love my tree once it's up, but there were years (before kids) when I didn't bother with a tree, and didn't miss it. It's so much work, and soo expensive.

[@lisacrompton7655]

Opening the Stockings is my favorite part!! We pick our fresh tree every year on my birthday in late November. No better smell than a fresh tree and you don't have to store it!

[@de3182]

Our advent calendar is a Hallmark felt Christmas tree from 1995. It was a gift my mom got for my oldest daughter. Every day you put a beautiful embroidered ornament on the tree. We have never lost any of the pieces!

[@Chrissyhappy]

I bought new decorations seven years ago. My son asked if we could because we’d had ours for over 15 years. We did a gold tree. The year later we added some copper baubles to it. The year after we added some silver. Each year I now do a mix of whatever. I have had silver and white table setting and a gold one. Each year we just switch it up. I’ve had those for about 12 years. I feel like I’ve finally got things I love and that’s enough. The need to keep buying has gone.😊

[@ForeverYoked]

I do a Pinterest Christmas party every year and it costs A LOT to buy all of the supplies for all of the guests. I love it so much, but I decided to not do it this year until my friend said “why don’t you let everyone bring one project to share that way you only have to buy one.” That’s what we did! It was wonderful and cheap. :)

[@gratefulketo2211]

What is a PINTREST Christmas party?

[@ForeverYoked]

Every fall I search Pinterest for different Christmas DIY projects and pick 1 ornament, 1 giftable recipe (ex. jar cookies mix), 1 home decor item, and one miscellaneous item… usually surrounded around a theme. Then I buy the stuff and invite friends and family and we put them together and they get to take theirs home to use or regift. It is so much fun!! One year we did everything related to ball jars. Another year we did tiered plates and made the decorative items to go on them. That was a fan favorite. Another year we did porch decor. We just completed my 10th year and it was stockings and stuffers. I provided the blank canvas stocking with sublimation iron ons and what-nots to decorate them and my guests brought projects that could fit in them. Two ornaments and a candy. I had leftover items from past years if they wanted to do any of those as well. Mini hot chocolate cups, homemade candles, and on and on.

[@bellaluce7088]

I use a fresh wreath *inside* for the gorgeous pine smell & an artificial tree for the best of both worlds.😀❤🎄Agree with most of these, but even now LOVE Christmas stockings!🤩They'd appear on our bedroom door handles overnight and keep us busy and delighted until *everyone* was awake. ; - D Magic! 7:00 Love the graham cracker houses idea!🏡

[@happyhutchinsons]

We do a reasonably priced (less than $100) tree b/c we just don’t have space to store a fake tree. It’s always perfectly imperfect and I love it ❤

[@jcav7]

Yes!

[@Chrissyhappy]

That sounds lovely. I do a real tree. In the UK ours seem alot cheaper than yours. I just paid £20 (about $25) for a six foot non drop norddman fir. Local supermarkets all sell them at that price. All my family do fake trees because of the mess. I don’t mind clearing up after Christmas. It always needs a good clean anyway 😂. Merry Christmas to you.🌲

[@angelahagemeyer698]

No PJs, no photographer, no Target dollar spot (actually no Target at all, haven’t been there in years). No after Christmas sales. I do love the Christmas candles but I bought mine from a local handmade soap shop and it’s all good things. Great video ladies!

[@amysmith6299]

I LOVE stockings. I don’t feel bad about a few cheap thrills. But the big thing we do is breakfast in their stockings. A piece of fruit, granola bar, small cereal box, etc. it always gives me extra time before I have to cook in the day

[@rubybuttons668]

What a great idea!

[@HHteach2001]

This was great! I love snail mail but I’ve decided to not send out cards this year just bc most people will probably just throw them away. Cards & stamps can get expensive.

[@christinebarber8311]

I made a rule years ago that if I receive a card from someone I right away send them one. Not everyone cared to get them, but if they are sending them then they probably care to get them. And I always keep my cards in with my decorations and look at them the next year when we put up the tree (then recycle them) it’s so fun to see people a year later and how the kids have grown and what not. Sometimes a person has since died and that makes it super special.

[@sammym1311]

I did some at Christmas - esp those that really look forward to them - but sent the rest out in the spring. Nice to get something in Feb and March when you are not expecting them!

[@alindalt2897]

Great ideas. We haven’t done many of these for years and years. This week, we finally paid off our home and this year… I have no intention of spending hard earned money on just stuff. Everything is much more intentional this year! Great ideas.

[@NLY1WAY4U]

So happy for you!!! Yes, put us in a different mind set for spending after all those years of saving.

[@wesliegray1772]

Congratulations!! Same here! We'll be tucking away those funds so we can retire early and vacation more, gathering memories and not stuff.

[@wendystan9292]

Congratulations!!! I did the same two years ago and haven’t regretted it for one second.

[@cathyhouse4677]

I do like using seasonal kitchen towels. We use during the season, launder, and put away for next year in the linen closet. It's a way to decorate inexpensively and gives me a cheery lift to change them out.

[@sharonkunkle4715]

Down to 6 boxes of Christmas - thank you, Dawn! Easy to decorate, mere hours to fully rebox it all - happier, stress-free Christmas season 2024 🥰

[@karensoffertories]

We've been getting Jacquie Lawson's online advent calendar for the last few years and the kids and I love it! Not only a new thing to watch/enjoy each day, but there's also games/puzzles etc. to do, plus you can enjoy it all year, not just during the Christmas season. They have a new theme every year, and the artwork and music are absolutely beautiful. 😊

[@kellycoudrain276]

I downloaded ours to my desktop, our grandkids love the Jacquie advent calendar

[@connieasbury1478]

Loved this video. I'm 75 now and have been simplifying Christmas for the past 5 years or so. Many of the things in your video have been eliminated. Now I don't feel guilty about it.

[@kristinam2719]

I have two adult children who spend all of their income on living expenses (they live in expensive areas) and they’re both trying to save money to buy a house. So they really appreciate it when I ask them what they want for Christmas and get them a few luxury items that they can’t afford to buy for themselves in this season of their lives.

[@lisaroberson9105]

Great video! Love this topic and reading all the comments. As a working single mom of 3, ive had to simplfy in many areas to just " get through" both in time and money. Even though i work many holidays we make it special and pick a day for our Christmas. No rushing or cell phones on that day. No holiday outfits. We have winter lounge pants, great holiday meal with Christmas music and we do practical stockings stuffers. Later in the evening we watch a holiday movie and play board games! Its all about family time!

[@sarahpauline4904]

Our family is really into stockings, but I think it's possible to be mindful about what you are choosing to buy. Mittens, socks, nice bath stuff, special food items, things that get used up.

[@hillaryguerra4993]

Vacuuming up Christmas tree needles is one of my favorite things! It smells so good!

[@susannaknobloch6473]

Thank you for sharing this conversation! Beeing born and living in Europe some of these topics feel almost exotic to me. We never had the same pyjamas (gifts are exchanged on the evening of the 24th), we never had professional photos taken. Our christmas decoration is the same every year and I have no christmas tree anymore (I have no kids). But we come together around Dezember, 8th for baking cookies. We used to by little gifts from charity organizations, but this year I have proposed to select one which we all want to support with a donation instead. I think this would have more impact and will help to reduce gifts we don’t need. For the little daughter of my cousin I bought only one gift. I love Christmas but I really try to emphazise on the original spirit and cut out the crazy consumerism and the loud music and the stress which today often comes with it.

[@dianasimplifies]

💯!!!!

[@katiegleaves3792]

I love this.

[@susannaknobloch6473]

@@katiegleaves3792 ♥️

[@cynthiabowser8014]

We do stockings, the same ones each year. We put practical items in the stockings; gloves, hats etc.

[@ChrisRampersad]

I love the holiday outfit example. I haven't gotten a new holiday outfit in ages. Most of the time I'm in a sweatshirt working on things- cooking cleaning, getting things ready I forget or don't bother actually changing in to something else. I am trying to do better; Thanksgiving I actually changed shirts, to find something in the closet just so every years pictures isn't in a sweatshirt. Happy Holiday ladies

[@swrigley9861]

Several years ago I heard Dana K White talk about stuffing stockings with things that are needed and useful that you would buy anyway, like underwear, socks, body wash, etc. I find this works so much better than when I used to buy a bunch of random toys at the dollar store to fill up the stockings. Those items always ended up getting decluttered and I hated knowing the money was wasted.

[@LisaShear-fb6nd]

Wrapping paper is a great donation item for charities also! I buy at end of season and then donate it early in the next season! Easy to store under bed or in closet!

[@michellemarchant8013]

Stockings are important to me, but I fill them with snacks and a special drink, which fill up space and give kids foods we don't normally buy.

[@Chrissyhappy]

All the extra things to do. The pjs. The advent calendar. The stocking. I used to do it all. So stressful. Now my kids are older we don’t do any of it. So much more enjoyable and relaxed now.😊

[@suestewart546]

Consumables for the few adults we have and gift cards for the grand kids. Less stress for everyone and more time spent together instead. Good video ladies.

[@JanetColclough-zb5po]

I love to make natural decorations to give my home a bit of “hygge” Also our tree is decorated with things the children have made when they were small (all now adults), and baubles we have collected through the years-some from my childhood! Not all co-ordinated but bring happy memories 😊

[@beverlyness7954]

I'm 70 so this was a long time ago. But I always did stockings for my young children. All the gifts were practical. T-shirts, socks and underwear. Chapstick, hand lotion, PEZ candy, gum or some very small toy. Oranges and apples always filled the bottom of the sock. My kids love the stocking the best (they were allowed to open them before I was out of bed).I wrapped each thing individually so it was fun to unwrap. I'm Scandinavian so a lot of my gifts relate to my heritage. Gnomes, Santas, Shoes, Socks, cozy things and everything natural like cedar branches with red decorations. Of course I love a real Christmas tree. I live in Oregon so we'd go out and cut down our tree and bring it home. It was big fun to decorate it too. Red is the color of the season so I put out lots of red linens and towels and even candles (soy nowadays).

[@jackieberg504]

Thank you for this video. I used to feel guilty about not participating in a lot of the things that you have mentioned. I am happy to know that I am not alone.

[@Badkittys4]

A string of white lights on my front porch and a fresh balsam candle on the counter, that's it, no tree, gifts or anything else this year, feels so good, no store away and clean up this year, I'm lovin it!

[@suzannebethard8034]

I used to buy the gingerbread house kits after Christmas on a sale rack-- cheap. Then we used to put them together on a snow day after we shoveled the driveway and while we had some hot cocoa.

[@lifewithlarsandsusie8315]

We do the same! I call it our new year project!

[@brendamaun5455]

I got three kits on super sale last year for the grandkids and stuck them in the freezer. We'll build them on the day we make my grandmother's rolled gingerbread cookies.

[@madonnahagedorn5649]

Every year I make my mom's sugar cookie dough, chocolate chip dough and melting moment dough and I freeze it all and bake later. Yum! I bake bread and make peppermint bark too and give it to my neighbors. For the past few years I take out the Christmas and use it and delete some things before putting it away. I am reducing the inventory to only keep what I really love. Stuffed holiday plush toys are definitely a thing of the past. My kids are grown and it's something I don't buy and I will donate our box of them this year.

[@Spikeswift]

Family photos are one of the few things that here in the UK we haven't inherited from the US. I think that's because sending cards has really started to die out. The shops are full of the Christmas PJ'S and a lot of people are jumping on the bandwagon but I think it's more a case of adopting new traditions but also may be to keep up with the Jones's. Whatever the reason, its really important to remember that there's no right or wrong, none of us are better or worse for choosing to do or not to do x

[@Vanessa-ok3ys]

Real tree is a must, finding the tree, cutting it down etc is our favorite tradition part of Christmas. I feel like its really sad to deprive kids of this its so fun, we look forward to it all year. That and stockings have been my favorite part my whole life, but you can fill it with stuff that makes sense and is still fun, like chap sticks, fun pencils/stationary supplies that can be used for school and candy.

[@barbarayork3675]

No stockings in this house. I grew up in Germany and used to lace our shoes outside the bedroom for St Nikolaus to either place candy to a lump of coal in. Christmas Eve modest gifts are exchanged. Blows my mind how excessive Christmas can be in this country.😖

[@Bitsy-1968]

I started to use previous year’s wrapping paper as table covers. Makes it cute and is a quick easy clean up.

[@kathrynhilder9609]

We have 5 kids and they're all adults now, but we still do stockings! The stockings are filled with underwear, socks, snacks, and various consumables that they love and use. As littlies they were allowed to open their stockings while mum & dad got showered and cooked the christmas morning pancake breakfast. Other gifts were to wait until we could all sit together and share the experience. They still look forward to their Christmas stockings. 😊

[@bellaluce7088]

My mom did this too by hanging the stockings on our bedroom doors so we could entertain ourselves while she got a civilized start to the morning. ; - ) I loved it! I think the tradition started after I woke up *extremely* early one Christmas and was so excited by the huge unwrapped stuffed animal I saw waiting under the tree for me that I ran squealing into her room and woke her from a dead sleep. ; - D

[@kathrynhilder9609]

Hahaha!! That's great! 😄 Parents can be pretty creative when it comes to protecting their sleep! 😁

[@bellaluce7088]

@@kathrynhilder9609 😄

[@lillynevers7305]

I do stockings and wrap every little item. It started when I was a kid and had a little money to spend at the dollar store on my siblings and mom. I still remember my mom belly laughing when she unwrapped a new stick of deodorant for her and tiny individual dark chocolates. I always do fun toothbrushes and toothpaste, a fun snack that we would never have during the year, chapstick, and a giant “fancy” Vaseline lotion to get us through winter with everything wrapped individually.

[@peggy1844]

Christmas can definitely be overwhelming and keeping things simplified really helps. Ultimately “making Christmas” is a gift to your family.

[@PatriciaYoung-f5k]

I always do socks and the kids love them!

[@kendrathurman725]

Growing up, my parents did toiletries/personal care items in our stockings, along with some candy, and an ornament that helped us remember something special that happened that year (or a trip we took together). When I became an adult/moved out, I then had a collection of ornaments to start my Christmas decorations supply that also served as a "walk down memory lane." I followed this pattern when our kids were little, and have continued it now that they're adults. (I'll also add a small gift card to a restaurant or store that they enjoy.)

[@meganbihn6111]

I was so excited when I saw the 2 of you together. We do mostly realistic stocking stuffers; pj's (not matching, just what they need) 1 small gift they'll actually use, and candy. I used to buy a couple DVDs but I've cut them out since we have netflix and Amazon video... My mom always got us new toothbrushes, deodorant.... We go to a ceramic shop to paint ornaments every year. They love it. It's not so much about the ornaments but about the fun painting together. Something I did with my grandma as a kid.

[@leticiavillarreal3689]

Small gifts fit great in Christmas stocking. Sometimes I put a small part of a big gift in the stocking and they open they’re stocking first and have no idea why they got something until they open the big gift. I love real trees 🌲 I don’t have to store, dust or fluff it. The goats eat the Christmas tree when we’re done with it. Agree with the rest of your don’t buy list.

[@linnaeharper4153]

We do Advent calendars every year. We have one for each child made out of fabric that we re-use. After Halloween, they count out enough candy to fill their Advent calendars and we put that away for a month, so that's what goes in them. When they were little, I put a piece of paper in each pocket with an activity for us to do. The activities were generally simple, like "Call Grandma and sing her a Christmas song," some were holiday events already on the calendar, and a handful were crafts or special outings. Now my oldest son and I have homemade Advent calendars that look like a road to the stable, with a felt piece for Joseph leading Mary on the donkey. Each day you move them one step closer to the stable. It's a fun tradition and one we look forward to every year!

[@dclib1]

I was very intentional with the decor I picked up recently, as I am in full declutter mode this year. Replaced some garland and picked up some bells at dollar tree to add to a bowl with pinecones and cuttings. Took 3 bins of Christmas decor to the church thrift shop and I just cleaned out my closet and found the cutest skirt for Christmas that I didn't know I owned! 🤭

[@kayo5291]

😄 Too funny, what a nice surprise!

[@ReneeDennis-x8h]

My children love stockings & always have, they can’t wait to reach their hand in them. As kids they got dollar bills & snacks, as adults, kitchen utensils, small hand lotions, lens wipes, & hot sauces, it’s a beloved tradition at our house.

[@mwebb3014]

Boy Scout popcorn is so good!! 😍 This was a cute exchange. I used to overdo gifts and it was all just too much - too expensive, too much clutter, too stressful. We keep Christmas very simple now with simple decor and a couple of nice gifts per person since we have a small family. We all love good food so preparing meals and treats are a fun way to gather together and enjoy the company. 💚❤️💚❤️

[@DawnRK3204]

Those gingerbread houses are adorable!

[@liztefft5312]

I agree with you on the stockings! I end up spending a lot on all of those little things, and it's stressful to try to stuff all of the stockings evenly and still tend to the gifts! We don't do the pajamas, either!

[@abbyhale6274]

My mom also did practical stocking stuffers… new toothbrushes and body soaps/scrubs and lotions which was great!

[@lauraann7816]

I watched your video of your gift exchange with your sister. My friend of over 50 years gave me her Mom's (who I grew up with so it's really special) Christmas dishes. They have a gold rim - so I treated myself to a set of "gold " flatware. It will be used whenever I entertain. I am glad I saw that video, and your sister did seem to appreciate her set 😊

[@peggyalaniz3880]

My kids are 30, 28, 14, and 10 and I have always only filled their stockings with their favorite snacks like a bag of ships, cookies, and candies never toys.

[@cherylkalsch5107]

Massage gifts are wonderful to me but many people don’t like to be touched like that.

[@rg-mi5hh]

Keeping it simple here. No stress. Some baking, lights, gifts, nativity scenes and family.

[@kristinastyers3004]

I love getting stuff for stockings and my boys love them! I try to fill it will consumables and useful things though!!