Monday Minimalism: Gifts and Stockings

I remember my oldest son’s first Christmas. I was so excited to get him gifts but I realized that as my husband was in graduate school, presents would be minimal. It felt like a total let down and I was so disappointed. The reality though was that my son was only 6 months old. The only thing he truly wanted for Christmas was more breast milk.

Fast forward and as his interests came out, I excitedly ordered gifts that both he and I would love. I spent so much time scouring gift lists for ideas and came up with three gifts and a slew of cute stocking stuffers. I was still trying to budget after all.

That year, on top of the gifts from us, he received gifts from three sets of grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Christmas day ended up being so overwhelming for him and by the end of the day he was a mess of behavior. This was not the Christmas I had in mind.

I knew I couldn’t really control what others got him, but I could certainly be more thoughtful about what he was getting at from us. I read all about the want/need/wear/read method but still it felt like too many gifts (and too much money!). I realized that I could simplify even more: one gift and one book was enough for our home. So two years ago that is the tradition we established in our family.

Guess what?

It was such a relief. He had wanted a car rug to drive all of his little cars on and after looking online at prices I popped into a local thrift store and there was one there, in mint condition, for a third of the price. I felt a little silly buying him a gift second hand but then I remembered that he was four years old and wouldn’t notice, and he didn’t!

So each year now, I buy my children a book and one simple gift to wrap and put underneath the Christmas tree.

This year one boy is getting a Lego set, one is getting a Duplo set, and the baby will be getting a wooden hammer toy. All of the items were under $30 dollars. I want to be clear that the urge is usually always there to buy more and give more. But then I remember the excess of years past and I have to remind myself that if I truly want to  make the focus of Christmas about Christ and being together as a family, I shouldn’t let presents steal the show.

But what about stockings?

I might love stuffing stockings even more than giving gifts. However, it has taken even longer to get the hang of not over-stuffing their stockings but I really think I found the right thought pattern this year in deciding what should be placed inside.

This is what will be coming from Santa Claus (besides candy):

My 6-year-old

1. Toothbrush
2. Toothpaste
3. Lush bath bomb
4. Schliech animal
5. Knock-knock joke book
6. Underwear
7. An 8 colored pen
8. Bertie botts every flavor beans (we just finished reading the first Harry Potter together!)
9. Character band-aids (star wars)
10. A new ornament

My 3-year-old

1. Toothbrush
2. Toothpaste
3. Lush bath bomb
4. Schliech animal
5. Bubbles
6. Tubby Todd Hair and Body Wash
7. Socks
8. An 8 colored pen
9. Character band-aids (paw patrol)
10. A new ornament

My almost 1-year-old (who will not be getting any candy!)

1. Baby  toothbrush
2. Tubby Todd Bubble bath
3. Schliech animal
4. Wooden pull along crocodile
5. Teething pacifier 
6. Peter Rabbit book
7. A new ornament

The boys have been getting toothbrushes and socks for years from Santa (he is a very practical fellow), but when I switched the focus from filling the stockings with the latest knick knacks and instead decided to fill them with intentional items that will be useful and loved by my children, it became so much easier to choose quality over quantity. A majority of the items are things that are unique but can be used up (and therefore wont create clutter in my home). Mostly, I am just so grateful Santa and I are on the same page about simplifying Christmas and our home. It makes our Christmas season a whole lot more joyful.

I hope this gives others ideas as you finish up your holiday shopping. Remember, as cheesy as it may sound, all your children really want is quality time spent with you on Christmas day. So whatever you happen to get them, whether it be big or small, take the time to play with them. Share in their excitement for the new play kitchen by acting as their first restaurant customers, help to build the new Lego set and afterwards act as the evil villain that their new spaceship must battle, or sit on the couch and read that new book with them making sure to really get into character.

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!