Four Gifts

We started living minimally at Christmas.  Sounds a little strange.  But rather than go overboard at Christmas and start the new year with something new, I felt that we needed to start now and work our way through it, rather than live in excess and try to make it come to a screeching halt 7 days later.  Did I completely succeed?  Nope.  But it was so much better than in previous years.

This year each kiddo and the hubs got four presents: "1 you want, 1 you need, 1 you wear, 1 you read."  This did take some creativity on my part (i.e. you read your watch <J>, you needed a bacon calendar <hubs>, etc) but it was fun AND allowed for less stress.  In fact I was able to get all the presents purchased, wrapped, and delivered on time to everyone, including out of town family.  That hasn't happened for years!  (with the exception of friends who are coming this way in early Jan - theirs are purchased, but not wrapped or delivered!!).

It also meant fewer THINGS to put in endangered vacant spots in the house.  It means spending less money.  It means being more intentional with the gifts given, which leads to greater satisfaction and appreciation from the fam.  Rather than just spend money to spend money, we really listened to what the kids wanted.  Since they only got 1 "want" gift, we had to make sure it was really something they wanted.  And I must say...I scored 4/4.  It was FUN to listen to them and really HEAR what they were saying.  I'm not saying they didn't like the other 3 gifts we gave them, they appreciated those as well, but it really made the want gift fun.

This wasn't H's "want" gift, but it may as well have been.  She was so happy to get it!

 

This wasn't J's "want" gift either, but he loved it.  Score!

 

B got his train!

A got her skateboard!

 

So, less stuff, less stress, more time with the fam, and sweeter smiles.  I am so looking forward to living minimally. 



Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. ~Joshua Becker, becoming minimalist.

Merry Christmas y'all and happy 2014.