Simplify Christmas Gift Giving: The Helpful Guide

Guide to Simplify Christmas Gift Giving

Christmas can be magical. We all have Christmas memories from our childhood, and my memories are painted with a rosy glow whether or not they were really that rosy in real life. But for the most part, I think they really were wonderful, because despite all the hiccups and messiness that the season brings, the Christmas message is breathtakingly powerful. Advent and Christmas are definitely my favorite times of the year, but I know that the focus can easily be shifted away from Jesus. Christmas can become pretty complicated and commercialized, but there are ways to enjoy the festive spirit of Christmas giving while still keeping it a little simpler.

How to Simplify Christmas Gift Giving

Make Christmas Gifts. 

Whether for kids or adults, there is almost always something that we could make rather than buy. We just have to use our imaginations. If you don’t think that you are very crafty, you might even hire someone in the area to do this for you. Perhaps you can do carpentry, you could build a toy barn, or dollhouse, kid’s tool bench, or a kitchen set. If you can sew, you can make aprons or doll clothes, or maybe even an old fashioned rag doll depending on your skill level. I have a friend who crochets adorable little stuffed animals as well as blankets and hats.  With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless. 

Give special seasonal gifts that will continue to be meaningful later in life.

One of my most treasured possessions from my childhood is my Nativity set. It is a beautiful quality set, so to buy it all at once would have been really expensive. But every year for Christmas, I received just one new piece. I don’t have most of the toys that I received during my childhood, but I plan to keep this for the rest of my life. I loved setting up the pieces when I was younger, and now my kids love to do the same. 

Give craft supplies. 

If your kids are anything like mine, they go through a lot of craft supplies in a year. Whether your kids are older and are interested in a specific hobby, or they are little and just like to color and cut and glue, Christmas is a great time to restock. Even things like glue, markers, and water colors can make great gifts.

Give consumable gifts from local sources. 

It is fun to give gifts to loved ones, but often it can be hard to come up with an inexpensive gift for adult siblings or friends that they don’t already have. A gift basket packed with things like honey, locally made jam, summer sausage, or home baked Christmas goodies can be a great idea. 

Keep the fun and joy in Christmas with simplifying Christmas gift giving!

We live in an age when it is really easy for things to spiral from abundance to excess. But even if you are focussed on keeping things simple, don’t forget how exciting Christmas is, especially for kids. If you are focussed on minimalism instead of celebrating this wonderful season, you can take the fun and Joy out of it! Kids wait all year for the moment when they get to rush to the Christmas tree and see the pile of gifts underneath. I try to be thoughtful about the gifts that I get my kids, but I still make sure to have toys and other gifts they will be excited about. Don’t forget to make it fun.