Ahh…Christmas.  A time for happiness and good cheer.  And shopping. And cooking. And wrapping. And decorating. And baking.  Are you tired yet? I am…just from typing this list of things we all do during the holiday season.  Don’t despair!  It doesn’t have to be this way.  You can experience the magic of the holidays without exhausting yourself to the point that you can’t even enjoy it.  Embrace minimalism this holiday season and you will breathe a sigh of relief as you savor the joy of the season. Here are some tips to help:

  • The Three Gift Rule - If maxing out your credit cards and spending hours wrapping gifts doesn’t sound like fun, you may want to consider the “Three Gift Rule”. With the Three Gift Rule each person gets one thing they need, one thing they want, and one surprise.  Turn the focus from quantity to quality while saving yourself time, energy and a little money. The Three Gift Christmas Rule - How and Why to Do It
     
  • Keep Your Tree Simple - Unless every single ornament you own is super meaningful to you, you don’t have to use them all.  If you are overwhelmed thinking about how much time it takes to decorate your Christmas tree, then consider toning it down this year.  If you have three bins of ornaments, just use one this year.  Next year you can use another one.  When it comes to your Christmas tree, there is beauty in simplicity. If you decorate it so much that you can’t even see any of the actual tree…you are probably doing too much!
     
  • Don’t be “Extra” - You may have heard kids using this term lately.  It refers to someone trying too hard or being over the top.  We can all get caught up in trying to outdo our friends, neighbors, social media acquaintances, and/or family members during the holidays. But do you need all the additional stuff at Christmas?  Stick to the basics…a lovely Christmas tree, a few special gifts and a wreath on the door…and you can still have a magical holiday!
     
  • Give Homemade Edible Gifts - We all have SO. MUCH. STUFF.  When thinking about what gifts to give to neighbors, friends and family, consider making and/or baking edible gifts.  Not only will your time and thoughtfulness be appreciated, but the food will be enjoyed and won’t add to the collection of stuff taking up space in our homes.
     
  • Go Easy on the Stockings - If you fill a stocking so full that you can’t leave it hanging because it’s too heavy, you have put too much in it!  Use Christmas stockings to hold small items like candy, lip balm and socks.
     
  • Secret Santa - If you are part of a large extended family or a large friend group, it can be stressful and expensive trying to find the perfect gift for every person in the group.  Avoid that stress (and expense) by suggesting that you all do a “Secret Santa Gift Exchange”. This way, each of you will only have to buy for one other person. You will not only save money; you will be able to focus on finding a special gift that your chosen person will love! 38 Creative Secret Santa Gifts Under $25 That Beat Your Go-To Gift Card
     
  • Give the Gift of Experiences - When the holidays are over, many people find themselves with a bunch of things they will never use again.  But if you give the gift of a future experience…think tickets to a show or movie, gift card to a restaurant or spa experience…not only will there be less “stuff” to put away, but there will be things to look forward to as the holiday season draws to a close.
     
  • Only Decorate the Room You Spend the Most Time In - You don’t have to decorate your whole house. Skip the Christmas shower curtain in the bathroom and focus on decorating where you and your family spend the most time.  Some people enjoy decorating their entire home, but if you don’t, it’s ok.  Do what brings you joy and skip the rest!

The bottom line is that the holiday season should be a time of peace and happiness.  Do what works for you and your loved ones so that you can truly experience the joy of the season!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500!

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