I really liked the ideas in an article I recently came across and am all for minimalism, often preferring to give an experience, rather than just buying something for the sake of it. Now when buying gifts I’m even thinking about the amount of non recyclable packaging that the purchases come with! While the holidays are typically a time of indulgence and overspending, you don’t have to go overboard. This year on Christmas day my family and I are going to help out as volunteers for the St Peters church Christmas dinner. I have wanted to do this for a long time but never actually got round to finding out how to volunteer. It was easy! A little advert on facebook popped up on my feed and all you had to do was a few clicks to register, give your details and hola, you are a helper!
Gifting Wisely
The holidays are about being with family, friends, and loved ones, not breaking the bank to buy one another’s love or affection. This year, maybe you can get the family together to celebrate one another with a good meal and the gift of each other’s company.
Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Try playing Secret Santa this year: get a group together to participate, write down each member’s name on a piece of paper, and have everyone involved draw a name from the hat. You become the Secret Santa to whoever’s name is on the paper you draw, and you buy only a gift for that person.
Your group can choose a spending limit, for instance, $25, on each gift. This way, everyone still gets to open a present, but no one’s budget is destroyed, and you’re able to cut down on waste. It’s a win-win!
Skip Gifts, Donate Instead
If you really want to cut down on the amount of items that come into your home, you can also choose to do a group donation to a charity or cause of your choice as a gift to each other. This helps support your community and it ensures your money goes to good use instead of being spent on a some plastic item that will not break down.
Create New Holiday Traditions
Maybe replace the morning present routine with a fabulous brunch, followed by an evening of board games with the fam.
If it’s nice outside, it may be a good day for family football, cricket or volleyball or going for a bush walk. We have so many to choose from on our doorstep in the beautiful Bay of Plenty.
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