… even though I’ve bought exactly two holiday gifts this year (one this week… and one in August),
I can’t wait to give Luca this (and some practical presents, too)!
and our rental house has ZERO decorations up (does a fake Christmas tree in a box on the living room floor count?!).
I’ve been listening to holiday music since early November, and am looking forward to spending time with family and friends, but presents and details about gatherings are just not where my focus is right now.
It’s interesting to me, how our holiday celebrations have changed each year, since Steven and I’ve been married. We switch which family we spend Christmas with each year (ideally seeing the other family in mid January), and the gift exchange is different each year, too, at least with my family (whether we buy for all or draw names, etc.).
Gift exchanges have been different with friends, too. I feel like my friends are the easiest to buy for, since I know a lot about them and their hobbies, but I started asking people last year if we could do something together instead of exchange gifts, and people liked that idea. This year, I’ve asked more if we can do the same. It’s not that I am cheap (although things are tight with the impending home purchase), I just value memories over things. And with all the packing we’ve done lately, I realize there is nothing I need, and a very small amount of things I want. I really do feel shame about the amount of STUFF we have. And we’ve made SO many trips to Goodwill.
Gosh! This did get a bit Grinchy! Or at least, gloomy! Oops!
I was just thinking about this because during a meeting today, someone asked everyone what their holiday plans were and how holiday prep was going. And really, all I have done is bought gifts for Luca (which I greatly enjoy), and found a place to rent that will house the two people (Steven’s dad and bro) we are hosting for Christmas. It seems like I should be stressed about it, but I’m not. I am cool with a low key Christmas – I NEED it! We’ll get to buying presents for people, we’ll put a few decorations up and cook some fun stuff. I will see my family in January, and we’ll have more time to prep for that after we’ve settled in a bit more at the rental and closed on our townhome.
Low key holidays are nice! And it sounds like you’re focusing on the important things anyway 🙂
I’ve been feeling this way about the holidays for the past few years, especially Christmas. My family keeps trying to say no gifts, yet we all still buy gifts for each other. But really, no one needs anything that we can’t just buy ourselves, and it IS better if we can hang out instead. Terry and I aren’t doing gifts – same thing, we’d rather just do fun stuff together or save the money for things we really need.
Isn’t that funny? When people say they don’t want to do gifts and can’t think of anything they want but keep buying each other stuff? I have to ask most of my family (except a few) for a list. And I am happy to get them something, but I don’t want to get them something they don’t want, and know they get most of them get most of what they want for themselves anyway! LOL. That is cool you guys aren’t doing gifts. Us either! But apparently, I still have to get Steven a birthday gift? Ha ha.
There is no shame in a low key Christmas. Actually, I’m envious. How long do you plan to be in the rental?
🙂 We can only be at the rental until Feb 5 – then it’s being sold to someone else! 😮
My mom and I were talking about similar things recently: that we’re more into spending time with people right now than just opening things.
It also makes total sense that your focus is on other stuff this year!
It’s nice to have someone on board with that! Still fun to get the kids gifts, but other than that… it’s just nice to hang out 🙂
I’m just looking forward to seeing my family and stuffing my face with my moms cooking 🙂 no presents needed. Martina and I are doing a few stocking stuffers, small stuff I’ve seen her eyeing up but nothing big. Honestly I’ve bought more dog toys than anything, for here and at home, and I usually just buy my friends something for their pets since we are all crazy about them. I think being a good friend year round is enough I’ll take that any time than I present I most likely don’t need
That will be SO AWESOME to be home! When do you go?!
I do think stockings are really fun. I wonder if I will do them for the boys this year. That is fun you get things for each other’s pets! And yes, friendship is the best gift!
I fly next Monday, land Tuesday morning (ouch), embassy Wednesday morning then 2 hour trip home after!! It sucks I can’t go straight home after landing but I’ll be worried about the embassy interview the whole time if I dont do it first!!
What kind of interview is it? To see what you’ve been up to? 🙂
to make sure im not going to try stay past my visa (if they give it to me), work illegally or be a terrorist. They run a background check too. As I’m a dependent they want to be sure we are married and it’s real as well. The interview doesn’t take that long but you have to be fingerprinted as well so it takes a while and you are usually in a line of people who have the same app time as you. American immigration are just very scary and intimidating. I’m usually a nervous wreck…for no reason obviously but still once they say no to your entry there is no arguing so it makes me nervous that our whole lives could change so quickly but it’ll be fine!!
I can see why you’d be nervous! I hope it’s a quick process this time and that they are nice to you! 🙂
I am 100% with you on this! Even though I’m working from home now and my schedule is generally more flexible, even hanging up the new lights turned into a headache. I’m sending cards and doing some light baking, but really trying to keep things more low-key.
Many people in both of our families are trying to watch spending, so we’re cutting back a lot (although still giving to the kids, but with a $20 gift cap). It doesn’t make Christmas any less special–if anything it makes us all less stressed, which is the greatest gift of the holidays if you ask me!!
Yeah, working from home does not = free time to do that stuff (despite what people think, ha ha). It sounds like you’ve figured out what version of low-key works for you, which is awesome! And hells yeah – a stress free xmas is a great gift!
I am soooo behind with xmas stuff this year, i think a lot it just going to … not happen. ha. What kinds of things do you propose doing with people? I love that idea, and my mom is definitely someone who values experiences over stuff, but i’m running out of ideas for her.. 🙂
A lot of my friends are runners, so destination races and one-on-one quality time. Also stuff like manis/pedis, concerts, etc. Even something simple as a long coffee date!
Nope, I think you are in a great place! You are getting to start fresh and new and stuff can just weigh one down.
Memories and adventures are often more fun than another coffee mug 🙂 but seriously, some coffee mugs are pretty sweet lol
Ha! Funny you mention coffee mugs because I LOVE my collection, but even realized it’s a bit out of control when I was packing. But I only gave one to Goodwill. Ha!
I love planning outings with friends instead of gifts. And I don’t think anyone would accuse you of being cheap for wanting to spend quality time together, rather than spending money on something your friends might not need. My friend Tina and I decided to do only birthday gifts and just have a two-of-us night out for Christmas every year, and it has cut down on stress and been a lot more fun since we started this new tradition.
I was just telling Harrison that buying gifts for kids is a lot more fun because they can’t just go buy whatever they need. I feel like an adult now where I enjoy the “together-ness” part of Christmas more than the gifts, but I guess that’s a good thing!
Of course you get this 🙂 I love that you and Tina do this! What are you doing for your night out this year?
Kids are still fun!!! And I have three nephews on my side to shop for! 🙂 And it’s totally a good thing to be looking forward to being together and not getting stuff, like I did (I will admit!) as a kid! HA!