Less is more?

[YerAuntFanny]

I want to take the stress out of Christmas, reduce the environmental impact and generally streamline the whole thing i.e. end up buying/receiving less crap whilst making it more family and fun orientated.

How do you do it?

How old are your DC?

12 and 5.

The youngest has been speaking about Christmas at school with her friend apparently hence why it's on my mind already :o

Replace gifts with activities - eg cinema tickets, soft play, etc.

Buy practical items - water bottle, reusable coffee cup, or stuff that they need anyway like pjs or socks.

Reuse package - I save gift bags or delivery boxes/fillings, and reuse for Xmas.

I ask people what they want for Xmas. Yes, it takes the surprise away, but at least they gift won't end up in the charity shop/landfill.

Instead of cards, bake cookies, or donate some money to charity.

Buy only what you will use for Xmas dinner and freeze left overs.

Bring up the subject of gifts individually with people you buy for and test the waters. Many people can be surprisingly relieved to opt out of exchanging gifts.

Instead of going to markets, pantos, ballets, train rides, etc., stay home and play games with dc, do crafts, go for a walk, feed the birds, have conversations, watch a movie, bake cookies. That’s one less car jamming the roads in December and pumping out noxious fumes