40 Holiday Items I'm NOT BUYING This Year | minimalism + saving money

[@AtoZenLife]

Please give this video a like 👍 and watch this next if you need more help with holiday budgeting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZbbeKlrmb-bqq8si=7OIwunBEg7i2yZAw

[@carriee.3205]

Where did you get your dining chairs? Love your videos! Thank you!

[@angeliquebloomberg935]

❤

[@CC-fe9of]

please share what you use for mascara and lipgloss- simple and beautiful

[@wesleywinchester1890]

Your hair looks so shiny full and healthy.

[@sl9906]

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.

[@robynwells8249]

My husband and I stopped giving each other gifts a long time ago. Instead we focus on good food and wine with our family.

[@ashleymcgee3536]

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.

[@superayr]

@@robynwells8249my family give each other alcoholic beverages, my niece who’s turning 17 this Christmas is going to be trying hers for the first time and we are SO excited!❤ Learning new drinks and playing drinking games with the kids really brings us together🙏✝️

[@dolcemaddalena]

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.

[@lisaaarde23]

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..

[@cpvernon]

A big AMEN on not buying on debt!

[@TheLongAndWindingRoad]

My family and I don’t exchange gifts, and it’s absolutely wonderful.

[@leeshgill87]

Same and I am so thankful!!

[@Lovenature2024-z4g]

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

[@Prizzy999]

Ditto in my house 😊

[@superayr]

@@Prizzy999 new jeans song!

[@Narja23]

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 !

[@anniestumpy9918]

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 😊

[@Prizzy999]

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.

[@100maxnochill9]

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.

[@missyk2454]

I have a door decorate and since I inhertied stainglass window things from my grandmother I'll have those per holiday. All decorating done.

[@connie6410]

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.

[@Natie777j]

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

[@imiruth]

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 😊

[@roxiewatters1161]

Love that idea ❤

[@gwenellison5386]

@@imiruth fantastic idea! I wish I knew of it when my kids were still at home.

[@Julie-si3hi]

Perfect❤

[@julietannOsfan1972]

That’s ok if you have someone to do things like this but I don’t.

[@wendyrudolph1465]

Thank you. I think the most important message is to give yourself permission to simplify the holidays to what you and your family want.

[@emilianodiaz-page4233]

Nicely said

[@pippas5808]

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 😊

[@sonag5708]

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 ❤

[@Joce123]

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.

[@ricky7111]

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.

[@HollyL-t2y]

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.

[@michelleevans2445]

That's what I used as a kid too 🙂

[@Objet_Dart]

I was wondering if anyone would mention trick or treating with a pillowcase!

[@HJ-re3ef]

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. ♥️

[@MyFocusVaries]

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!!

[@erinaceus]

My husband and I enjoy pizza for Thanksgiving - it's been our tradition since we started dating!

[@Bethany-m9p]

You can never go wrong with pizza! 😀

[@r.p.9829]

We have bought barbeque for the last several years...everyone loves it...

[@mamazoe]

Great video, I feel less stressed already! Thank you. I'm going to watch it again nearer christmas time to keep myself motivated! ❤

[@FUNANIME100]

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.

[@Bethany-m9p]

A waffle bar sounds like fun! 😀

[@jasminp.7484]

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!

[@0blbe1]

Having debt from Christmas shopping a year ago is crazy

[@Reiko29DBS]

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

[@ya_soy_una_senora]

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. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@lindabourcet1349]

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.

[@bnbtemple5936]

Love this idea!

[@flohough1870]

I love this, might have to suggest this!

[@patrickhilton9253]

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.

[@AtoZenLife]

Who is not on board? Could you work to figure out a compromise that leaves everyone satisfied?

[@LynsAlteredArts]

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.

[@ashleaspruce8185]

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. 😢

[@patrickhilton9253]

@@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.

[@AtoZenLife]

@@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?

[@Julie-si3hi]

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

[@functionoflightone]

Blessings to you and your family.

[@christettec3045]

Sending warm thoughts to you and your family ❤

[@BeaMcMillion]

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.

[@poodlegirl55]

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.

[@gwenellison5386]

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.

[@alanbirkner1958]

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

[@Rach429]

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.

[@Ella-zj2ur]

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!

[@AtoZenLife]

Sure, just make sure they are free of bugs!!! 🐞 🕷️ 🐛 😉

[@emilianodiaz-page4233]

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.

[@MyFocusVaries]

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.

[@asavannah7439]

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 🎉❤

[@Iquey]

Aww! 😊 I had a mini tree as a kid too.

[@cait.]

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

[@Shiryone]

It all boils down to how "free" we want to be. I couldn't agree with you more.

[@asavannah7439]

I only want presents I can eat, use up, read or experience.

[@mewtwo343]

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)

[@chanboubou9245]

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.

[@21cormorants]

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!

[@roxiewatters1161]

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 ❤

[@laurie6644]

Fortunately.

[@mewtwo343]

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..

[@LynsAlteredArts]

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.

[@ZenNatureHub]

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 😂

[@elizabethlangheim7214]

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.

[@Julchen222]

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.

[@CharleneEvenson]

When I was a kid we used old pillow cases to trick or treat.

[@magdalena_andrzejak]

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.

[@AtoZenLife]

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.

[@nailguncrouch1017]

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.

[@sustylery]

I just had the most brilliant idea; Just get a sweater that says "HOLIDAYS" - this will have you covered for all the events 😂

[@AtoZenLife]

Nice idea 😎

[@nellautumngirl]

That's so cute, but does it exist? 😂

[@emilianodiaz-page4233]

You could make one.

[@chanboubou9245]

some internet shops can customize them for you

[@jenh3263]

Good idea! ❤ 🍀 🐣 🇺🇸 🎃 🦃 🎅

[@love_kristy.s]

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

[@l.m.n.2338]

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!

[@AtoZenLife]

I’d rather have things I can share with everyone, it’s not about being special. If I truly wanted to, I would. 😉

[@catharinab8860]

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 🎄

[@MyFocusVaries]

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.

[@AppalachianTransplant]

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

[@AlicePRabbits]

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!!

[@21cormorants]

Yes! So much is “stuff got stuff’s sake” with those kinds of exchanges 😢

[@KeiPalace]

When I have holiday memories it's about going to look at lights, going ice skating at a local outdoor rink (free) seeing a parade (free) making grandma's cookies, decorating the tree - we do have a tradition of getting 4 inexpensive ornaments each year, one that each member of the family chooses, this is so that when our kids leave home they will already own a full set of ornaments for their trees which have a special memory for them.

[@Objet_Dart]

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.

[@dawnsullivan6794]

Another great video Marissa. Thanks!

[@IamSnowbird]

My kids always wanted to use pillow cases for trick or treat.

[@AtoZenLife]

Oh that’s fun!

[@celticlass8573]

When I was growing up, virtually everyone used pillow cases. Maybe it's a cultural thing?

[@AlicePRabbits]

That’s what I used as a kid- I’m 65!

[@firewind3509]

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!

[@krissyk9767]

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 !?

[@tamib64]

I have broken all 40 some already for this coming Christmas! I try and be a minimalist, but I love Christmas!

[@Swimdown24]

Cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries is AMAH-ZING… Super easy😊

[@sinkintostillness]

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.

[@robynwells8249]

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.

[@Mikejamiew]

I enjoy challenging myself each year to use my same beloved Christmas decorations in different ways/areas of my home. It's fun!

[@migrabar79]

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.

[@AtoZenLife]

Love all of this!!!

[@katarzynag430]

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.

[@jackiegomez6564]

Pyrex measuring cup as a gravy boat - love it! 😊

[@kerridavis86]

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!

[@AtoZenLife]

That’s a great mindset to have! 🙌 All the best.

[@aalberto4961]

I totally agree with you!! Thank you for making this video 🙏

[@palestblue]

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.

[@NorthernPear]

We started buying just the turkey breast since no one likes dark meat in our family, or taking apart the turkey leftovers.

[@AtoZenLife]

Great idea! 🦃 🍁

[@MyFocusVaries]

We could share a 🦃! We love the dark meat and the bones for making soup 🍲 😂😊

[@NorthernPear]

@@MyFocusVaries that’d be a great way to go for two families! So much savings! 😊😆

[@gwenj5419]

We have 2 projector lights for Christmas. So much easier than putting up and taking down Christmas lights.

[@Lcatch415]

😂 My husband loves his "Star Shower" Can't wait to put it out each year!

[@celticlass8573]

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.

[@Zarga8]

I am thinking of doing that this year!

[@jejrstans]

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!

[@AyH25]

I love the idea of Chinese fusion thanksgiving! That’s some of the best food in my opinion

[@quoththeraven13]

I mean, I agree but…that cat pillow at 09:15 is SO CUTE though 🥹 🐈‍⬛ 😅

[@AtoZenLife]

It is really, really cute 😂 BUT I RESISTED!!!

[@nunziawright5957]

@@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

[@stephaniew7994]

We love to decorate for Halloween but manage to keep everything in one bin and one trash bag, for the longer stuff that won’t fit in the bin, because everything else is made from nature or saved from the trash to be transformed and gets recycled after Halloween. It keeps my kids busy and encourages them to be creative.

[@LP-tu8li]

I love those shades you have over the sliding glass doors.

[@kellykjrneill1135]

Love this video! Looking forward to a new house tour video soon! Love the table and chairs behind you ❤ 😜

[@Daffodils-z1c]

Good one! I love Christmas mugs, but to help to not over accumulate them I have a rule: they need to be large (I drink tea), cute AND thrifted. That makes them rare to come across where I live 😁 I have only three whereas if I went into a store to get them I would be tempted to buy at least three at a time. My mugs are special and I can’t wait to bring them out soon. 🎄✨

[@klarab84]

I do similar thing: put up rules for myself if it is something that I really like! Which makes it harder to buy something - but that's a good thing :)

[@Bonitalife16]

This video resonates with me . Thank u

[@staceyeddy7312]

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!

[@susanprice3377]

I have some plain red, blue, and green glass small plates, serving bowls and cups -- and in various combinations, they can serve as "holiday decor" along with my regular dishes. And the gravy boat I have was my mother's -- I would never buy another but this one is filled with memories.

[@evanandevergreen]

I almost exclusively purchase Halloween hand towels, but the kicker is I use them all year round. 😅

[@jennyjesse3725]

Me tooo!

[@evanandevergreen]

@@jennyjesse3725 you are my people. Lol 🎃🧡🍂🍁🐈‍⬛🕷️🎃

[@coleenhaeg]

My kid is at an age where she likes making DIY decorations with me for the holidays. We make garland with construction paper. Its fun for us! Plus, I save money and limit our amount of storage boxes.

[@AtoZenLife]

That is fun! My youngest son’s hobby is origami, and we have lots of fun with that 🤗

[@emilianodiaz-page4233]

One of my daughters and I have done this for years. It’s such a great idea and so much fun.

[@flohough1870]

Whoa on those stats on food waste for Thanksgiving, that's crazy bad! I finally decided I'm no longer hosting or having Thanksgiving with family that only come around when it's a holiday. It's going to just be us. I think the whole tradition is completely out of hand. I find it hard to be thankful when I'm exhausted from cooking for people who don't appreciate it. I laughed at your bundt pan story, I had the same experience with their mini loaf pan!

[@susanlusk9584]

This year I plan to give mementos from my past that mean a lot to me to my loved ones- like wicker doll furniture that I will give to my granddaughter who is now two. This set was my mother's when she was a child and means the world to me. This means more to me than anything else. For other folks I usually give a book they have mentioned or I will ask them do you want that book by your favorite author a a 3 quarter zip fleece to keep you warm. They seem to appreciate that I have thought about what means something to them

[@annagia153]

I agree with this whole list, I don’t think your home has to look like a Macy’s display for Christmas to be wonderful. I also never got the matching PJ thing.. marketing has gotten a lot of people on that trend for sure. Great video 🤩

[@ania7930]

Honestly outside the wrapping paper it never occured to me to buy most of the things you've listed, and things like themed mugs or candles, while a bit tempting, I've never had storage space nor mental space for. And I've never thouht of myself as a minimalist and I still do not think I am one. In my mind those are just super superfluous things to own.

[@lisam5744]

I made the decision to not decorate for Xmas this year. There's a lot of displays we can enjoy without having to deal with it at home. In regards to disposable stuff (plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, etc) I do have a supply of them in my hurricane supplies (having recently gone through Hurricane Milton they helped a lot). But that's just for emergencies.

[@ashleymcgee3536]

5:22 I didn’t buy costume stuff this year either. I just did my hair, raided the SFX cabinet at my friend’s house, and used what I already had.

[@laurasell2353]

This was a great reminder. Thanks for sharing this!

[@tinaoakland3224]

You inspire me! Keep up the great work.

[@Luciana-wg8gb]

Hi Marissa! I'd love to see videos of you showing us how to prepare recipes as good as the store bought ones. Maybe that could be a new playlist, "diy, don't buy" 😄❤ I love your content! Greetings from Brazil 🫶

[@tiashields1697]

I do agree it is a personal preference. A Baker may love new and interesting cookie cutters or chocolate molds. A makeup fan the fun colors. I personally love the unique bakeware and plates for different occasions and holidays it makes it more fun for me and I set up dinner dates with my husband and put the theme out for a special night. But I have to say I only need a little of each and then no more. 😊

[@wesleywinchester1890]

Love the Christmas tree sweater

[@94kellyt]

I would love to do the no gift thing, but my extended family won’t go for it. My immediate family, we buy specific gifts of needed items, so they aren’t wasteful. One thing you inspired me to do during my yearly sewing girls weekend was to make reusable fabric gift bags and furoshiki clothes in Christmas fabrics. So that I’m not using a 5:44 nd wasting all the paper, tape and ribbons. I’m so excited to use them this year. Thanks for such an excellent video!!!

[@LynsAlteredArts]

Just tell your extended family in advance that you won’t be participating in giftgiving or receiving anymore. I said tell them in advance because at this point of the year people may have already bought presents. I don’t know what you mean by your extended family won’t go for it, but if you don’t give them presents, they’ll catch on. It seems harsh that’s why I say you have to warn them in advance. Actually, I think a lot of people will be relieved.

[@94kellyt]

@@LynsAlteredArtsthank you so much for your suggestion! By my extended family I mean sister and her family, who we celebrate holidays with. Gifts are her love language so that is the culture in her family to exchange a mountain of gifts. I have scaled WAY back on my end, in a way that it works for everyone. If I had my preferences I would skip all the gifts. But that isn’t possible, and I’m a minority in my opinion. Thanks again for your ideas!!!

[@Dragonfly20233]

We are really simplifying Christmas this year not bc we are minimalists but bc we believe, in our faith, that too much consumerism is pulling us away from the focus of the season and we are guilty of that. I don't have to worry about Halloween bc we don't do that but girl, you lost me at stockings ... 😆the stockings are our favorite thing but we keep the pretty simple. We lived in Germany for 6 years with our children so one of our favorite things is to go to Aldi or our military commissary this time of year for German Christmas food favs. Oh how I miss the lebkuchen!!

[@mandelbrot2232]

I think in the US there is even more holiday shopping stuff to be tempted than for example in Germany.....the best thing is to not look 😉 thank you Marissa for your advice - as always this is gold

[@KeiPalace]

We buy a little turkey breast these days, I never ended up using the stock I would make from the big turkey carcass. I also love getting a duck from the local Asian market, it's not that much more a frozen duck, but they've marinated and roasted it so nicely! We are also trying to make more veggie dishes this year. If you love cranberries, get some dried and toss them in a veggie dish or in a salad.

[@silmuffin86]

I LOVE Christmas, it's my favourite time of the year, and it's so hard to buy useless stuff 🙈 I can skip Halloween and Thanksgiving since I didn't grow up in the US, but Christmas is my soft spot. This year it's even harder, we have moved back to the US over the summer after 6 years, and we won't be able to see my family 😢 I'll have to come back to this video often for motivation... At least I don't do stockings, in Italy it's not a thing, actually kids get a stocking with sweets on January 6th, but not from Santa and not with toys

[@cindy846]

You can use a meat thermometer for ducks too! Makes it easier to cook it just the right length of time.

[@BadNessie]

For those who enjoy baking cookies that require cookie-cutters and love double-purposes: cookie-cutters can make for really cute Christmas decorations when not in use.

[@MyFocusVaries]

You can buy canned pumpkin to easily make pumpkin spice options.