During the holidays, many people feel stressed because of the heavy pressure to meet various burdensome expectations.
This stress often stems from the belief that other people expect not only extravagant gifts but for you to also have elaborate decorations and perfectly planned parties.
I once thought this as well. However, I've learned that living a minimalists lifestyle and providing a simple party is just as fulfilling.
The cultural traditions and societal norms associated with holiday celebrations can lead to a strong feeling of obligation to conform.
We wear fake smiles to create the perfect family photo for social media, investing heavily in decorating our homes and meticulously arranged tables to make the images pop, not realizing it's all superficial.
We don't need the stress of spending a lot of money and taking an entire year to pay off the credit card. Keeping up with the Joneses is both unnecessary and exhausting.
We are bombarded with messages from advertisements, social media, and even conversations with peers that emphasize the importance of outdoing previous years’ celebrations or gift giving.
The pressure to curate a flawless holiday experience can become an unnecessary source of anxiety.
For some, the holidays may be a time to showcase their creativity through unique and thoughtful gifts, while for others, the focus may be on grandiose gatherings that leave a lasting impression.
This divergence in expectations can create a feeling of inadequacy for those who may not have the resources, time, or energy to fulfill such demands; leading to burnout and resentment.
This can detract from the true essence of the holiday season, which should center around connection, gratitude, and joy.
I say it's time to bring back an old-fashioned Christmas with old-fashioned values where we forget all the commercialized hype and remember that Jesus is the reason we are celebrating.
Opting for a holistic approach to this holiday season is significantly more meaningful and less stressful.
This year, my family and I are celebrating a minimalist Christmas by returning to traditional values, and I invite you to consider doing the same.
Although it might not be flashy, extravagant, or ideal for images on social media, the tranquility you'll experience will be genuine and the memories will be heartfelt.
Our table will be set with healthy food on Christmas day. We plan to give simple gifts and our decorations are mostly what our children have made us.
I invited my extended family and a few friends over for a minimalistic party as well.
We are currently renovating our home, but I don't mind inviting my friends and family into a messy space. I understand that Christmas isn't about showcasing the house; it's about gathering to share fellowship and love.
This party is my way of showing that the Christmas spirit isn't linked to material possessions. I'm spreading joy and the message that you don't need to feel overwhelmed during the holiday season!
This dynamic is essential for those aiming to manage the intricacies of holiday celebrations while preserving their well-being and appreciating the season for its true significance; the birth of Jesus.
Let us return to traditional values, relieving others from the pressure of gifting us and concentrating on simply being together.
In a world that often highlights materialism and consumerism, it's crucial to remember the true essence of relationships and the joy of shared experiences.
Instead of getting caught up in the gift-giving cycle, which can sometimes cause stress and anxiety, we should prioritize togetherness.
Keep in mind, Jesus focused on community. He focused on ways to help people. We should follow in His footsteps and give gifts that adds value to a person's life rather than impressing them with how much money we spent.
Then we can truly have a Happy Holistic Holiday season!
Below I've given some ideas for gifts that won't break the bank, some of which are handmade gifts that won't cost much at all.
VINTAGE OR HANDMADE GIFT GIVING IDEAS UNDER 50 BUCKS:
Thriftbooks.com has some great vintage recipe books I would like to have! I know if I would like them, someone else might also. Just type "vintage" into their search bar.
Even though I haven't started scrapbooking yet, I intend to begin once life calms down and I have the time. If I would appreciate scrapbooking supplies, others might too. I believe it would make a great gift for the crafty individual. I've never ordered anything on Temu.com but my son has and he seemed pleased with it.
For the writers in your life- I love the idea of a vintage-style handmade journal! Etsy.com also has many other handmade gift ideas. From artistic works to handmade body scrubs, you will find just about anything homemade you can imagine.
You can order handmade natural anti-wrinkle cosmetics here.
You can also buy a cute little journal on Amazon.com.
While these are great, I much prefer learning how to make my own journal for a personalized custom look.
I think this vintage-style embroidery gift set is very cool.
For the military man in your life, a vintage-style storage box might come in handy or you can make a wooden ammo box.
Bake cookies, cakes, or just about any dessert and put in these bamboo glass jars. Tie with red ribbon and voila, a homemade gift anyone would enjoy!
There are so many gift ideas for these adorable honey jars. If you're a beekeeper, they can be used for gift giving for the whole family. If not, you could fill them with honey skin scrub samples, jelly, or grandma's recipe for homemade dressing.
This vintage-inspired groomsman's bag can be customized with the recipients name.
I don't know about you, but I love a vintage-style ball cap!
Vintage-style home decor? It might not appeal to everyone, but your retro-loving girlfriend might appreciate it.
Vintage-style sleep kits have NOT gone out of style!
For that young girl who just can't seem to keep her make-up in her own space- here is a personalized bag that has "guilty" written all over it.
I don't have much to say about these personalized sweat pants except "How can I make my own?"
A monogrammed bag set anyone?
I once gave a rock to my sister for Christmas. I'm pretty sure I told her I would paint it later and never got around to it. She kept it anyway, which is proof that anything can be a gift from the heart! If you paint them, rocks can be used as doorstops, herb garden accents or to mark the types of plants you have in your flower beds. You can turn them into accent art pieces, cell phone holders, or use them to display your address.
Tie dye a t-shirt, vintage style by first dipping a white shirt in coffee! It gives it a vintage feel.
Learn how to do photo embroidery.
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