Christmas is a time for giving. But is there a chance we’re going a bit overboard with the gifting these days?
The average American will spend $805 this holiday season. And let’s face it, for the most part, we’re spending that $800 buying stuff we don’t really need.
I mean, look around your home, you already have everything. If you did need something, you already went to Amazon and bought it. You weren’t going to wait for someone else to wrap it and put it under a tree.
In other words, the stuff we’re buying for each other isn’t necessary. It’s fun, sure. But at some point, enough is enough.
To help you decide if you’ve reached that point, here are 7 signs you shouldn’t buy another Christmas gift:
1. You are still paying off last year’s gifts.
According to a recent study by Credit Insider, 22% of respondents who bought Christmas gifts with credit last year, are still paying it off. If that’s you, don’t continue the trend by purchasing more. It’s no fun if your interest payments last longer than the gift you gave.
2. The person you are shopping for already has “everything.”
I can’t believe how many times I’ve heard someone say, “I just don’t know what to get so-and-so, he’s already ‘got everything’.” Crazy idea here, folks. If somebody already has so much stuff that you need to wander the aisles of a department store just to find something to buy them, your money can probably be spent in better ways.
3. The person you are shopping for has requested no gifts.
You’d be surprised how many times I’ve been asked, “How do I tell people to stop buying me gifts?” There is a growing number of people who honestly mean it when they say, “I don’t want anything for Christmas this year.” Respect their wishes. Before buying a whole bunch of new stuff this Christmas for people in your life, you might want to ask if they even want a whole bunch of new stuff.
4. The person you are buying a gift for already has a clutter-problem.
The average American home now contains 300,000 items. Possessions are a burden on our lives. They drain money, time, and energy. And they add stress. If the person you are shopping for has a clutter problem in their home (you know who they are), maybe the best gift you can give them this year is not a physical gift.
5. You’ve already bought gifts for everyone on your list… except for one.
One of the most significant holiday trends over recent years is the increase in “self-gifting”—people treating themselves to presents when they are out shopping for others. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation, nearly 60% of us will give ourselves gifts this holiday season. If everyone on your list is crossed off, resist the urge to add one more name at the bottom—yours.
6. You are digging into savings.
Before entering the holiday season, it’s wise to set a budget to keep from overspending. Additionally, it’s wise to keep your savings in savings… not blow it all during the last month of the year. Unfortunately, 38.5% of us will take money from our savings/emergency fund for holiday shopping. If that’s you, don’t do it. Don’t buy another gift. Instead, explain to your family and friends the decision you made this year. They’ll understand—and just might change their budgeting for next year as a result of your example.
7. You think one more gift will make the perfect holiday.
Marketers work hard to convince us that consumer products will create that perfect holiday season. If we buy the right lights… and the biggest tree… and the perfect gifts… and the ideal stocking stuffers, Christmas will be perfect! This is their claim. But it’s not true. You don’t need any of those things for the perfect holiday. If you think your next purchase will bring about the perfect holiday, you are looking in all the wrong places and it’s time to stop.
Just to be clear, I’m not against giving gifts at Christmas. But I am against the way our society has begun to make gifts the centerpiece of Christmas and the shopping never ends.
There are numerous signs that it’s time to be done shopping… if we’d only begin to notice them.
“The average American home now contains 300,000 items” REALLY!
If so, that is shocking!
Joshua I have been a Minimalist since before you were born. When my husband passed away unexpectedly after 25 years of marriage and 25 years living in our farmhouse I was able to pack and move in a single weekend with bankers boxes and a single small moving truck. I moved from 2200 sq feet of living space to a 1000 square foot home in a wonderful neighborhood. I am saying all this to prove that having never owned “stuff” my life has been very simple, very full, uncomplicated, inexpensive but beautifully complete. My husband and I had a “no debt” rule other then our mortgage. Because we were not buying unnecessary stuff our mortgage was paid off in 15 years and I was able to pay cash for the 1000 sq ft house I purchased after his passing. All this allowed me to retire at 50, pick up a fulfilling part time job, volunteer and live a very full life in a beautiful small home that is always ready for guests and completely clutter free. This all started from a time management seminar when I was twenty years old where the speaker went in to great detail on how much time you waste with mail that you bring in to your home and do not handle immediately. That blossomed into my own form of minimalism that matched my husband’s dislike of messy countertops and unorganized work spaces. Thank you for teaching others a lifestyle that not only will totally transform their lives but also help save our planet!
What an awesome letter!! I truly admire you and your husband!! Yours is a great story that shows the benefits of living minalmist!!
I always tell my son, (sincerely) that his presence is my present.
Those are truely lovely thoughts and perspectives. I enjoy the blogs as well as Becoming Minimalist has been a place that brought my heart to its place of Joy.
I had been volunteering for months. Several of us shared a meal with a local family & exchanged a few simple gifts. I love opening up that envelope each Christmas. One year it was baseball equipment that was donated to a struggling Little League. I love opening up that envelope each Christmas. One year it was baseball equipment that was donated to a struggling Little League.
Every year I buy gifts for Toys for Tots. My local food pantries got extra money this year. My daughter got me a small gift card to a craft store. One son got me some tiny drill bits to go with his old drill he is giving me. My other son is giving me a gift card to my favorite thrift shop. I miss all the rummage sales I usually enjoy. My grandsons are happy with anything they get. My daughters in law are minimalists.
Enjoy your holidays.
I love the comments on this site. The community that follows you is great. We do not need to put our hand in our pocket to experience Christmas! We can share the Love in many ways. Blessings and Merry Christmas from Australia.
Thank you for your advice Mr. Becker! I definitely have TOO MUCH STUFF and I need a good reminder!
My husband passed away on January 22, 2019. This year I am giving away his piggy bank collection to every member of our family. When everyone arrives on Christmas Eve they will draw a number and this will match up to the piggy bank that will be wrapped up for them to open. They will each have a lasting memento that I will love sharing with them. I am also giving each of my grandchildren one of my prized cookie jars to take home. As a 70-year-old mother and grandmother, I am sharing the things that I love. It will be a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for your great writing and suggestions as we change our lives to reflect on what really matters. Peace be with you.
My husband and I decided several years ago to not give gifts to each other any more. Instead we bought tickets to a dinner theater and enjoyed an evening out.
My grown children and their loved ones were harder. This year, I’ve cut back – less bought gifts and more handmade gifts.
Also, I’m sending digital Christmas cards – less time and effort, no postage and only the cost of a subscription to the card company.
Somehow, I’ll put Christmas in its place – comfort and joy, to replace the hassle and hurry. Thanks for the article.
Sorry, but many this year just can’t just go to Amazon and buy what their family needs. Lost income won’t allow it.
Instead of giving gifts to extended family, we pool our money to help someone in need. That is one gift you can give- even to the person who has everything- a donation of money or supplies to help others. So much need in the world.
As far as not giving gifts to ourselves, that may be fine for someone who “has everything”, but personally, we’ve lived on very little in order to graduate college debt free. I realized the other day ALL our cups were cast offs from someone else. This year I am thrilled to be gifting myself a matching set of glasses that stacks nicely, instead of all the mismatched ones thrown in the cupboard. It’s okay to make our homes more orderly and beautiful.
Only a few days left until Christmas & I am ready for the gift giving to stop ! I struggled this year with the RIGHT gifts for everyone and truly do not know if I have accomplished the task . I always have a fear on Christmas morning that something will
go wrong when all my kids & grandkids ( 12 in total ) arrive for lunch & exchange gifts ,,, maybe I spent more on one than the other , not the right gift. didn’t get enough , or the right thing ! Totally stressed out . I prepare & pay for the holiday meal because I am retired & have the time to do so & I love to cook ! My kids all are so blessed they have great jobs & make good livings . Anything they want , they just buy ! How can I get this under control ???
Judy, it’s time to start a no-gifts Christmas. State it straitforward and follow through. We have zero holiday stress in our family because of this policy.
We draw names in my family, spend $50. I drew my 8 yr old niece who literally has everything (horses, 4wheeler, everything a kid up to age 16 wants, all the toys, etc)
I can’t figure out what to get her! Read your article…she needs an experience. I did buy her a rugged apron with horse on it, supplies to build a raised garden, and so forth. I’ll personally build her a small garden and teach her…I gave her a tomato plant this summer and she made her mother take pictures of her precious tomatoes. It’s a year round gift that doesn’t get thrown in a closet and get one on one attention.
I’m not the type following the whole gift buying gig anyway, let alone buy what I don’t have money for. As a society, we should sack the whole holiday gift thing. Everyone has so much; they do not appreciate nor NEED it !! What we surely need instead is celebration, inclusiveness, community reveling; a modern-day saturnalia, sharing of food, and faith, where no one is left alone unless they desire to be. Now, that is a holiday.
Well said. And I just beathed a long sigh of relief. Thanks & Happy Holidays!
I hear you Mr. Becker and I agree with you but especially I love that you say it! This strange year I have learned that I can get everything I need online and I really don’t miss shopping. I miss my children!
Just imagine if we all cut back on Christmas shopping, and what we saved put half of it into charity and half in our savings accounts. What a boost for charities that would be, they have really been affected this year just when they need more support.
Mr. Joshua Becker, this article is so true. I’ve been thinking more and more like a minimalist.
We recently bought a house in FL, where we previously lived in NJ. And we decorated the house using minimalist decor. We have furniture but not to excess, The only clutter we make are blankets on the 2 sofas, we have a den that has a sitting area with a tv. And the other clutter we make is papers on the kitchen counter and dining table. I tell you it only takes me about 15 minutes to make the house orderly, folding blankets and stacking, organizing, shredding and putting away the papers. We open the mail next to a shredder and the junk mail gets shredded,
What takes me the most time doing is dusting, but we can never get rid of dusting. A couple of minutes to make the bed, we like comforters, so unless I’m washing the bedding, I just straighten the pillow cases, cover the bed with the comforter and place the shams nicely on the bed.
Anyway, about this article. Lately the Christmas advertising on TV doesn’t even make us want to buy anything for anyone as gifts. They are just things nobody we know would even want or need.
So we only give $25 to each of the little kids in the family. We might even decrease that amount to $15 next year. The parents can use it to buy their children whatever they like. Or put the money in a savings account for them, who knows. I hope is the latter, and do something smart with it instead of spending it on something trivial.
Thanks for the article.
Many years ago I was a single parent with little income. I would make a few batches of cookies and hand them out. Everyone loved them. Now I make baskets of homemade chocolates and cookies and they are also loved. Throw in a few mini candy canes. I get Christmas themed plates at habitat or garage sales for next to nothing and a roll of cellophane and curling ribbon. Can also get bags with Christmas themes on them and fill them. I have been doing this for over 40 years and everyone I give them to is thrilled and can’t wait for the next batch.
Reminds me of the homemade candy my mother made for many years. She made different flavors & colors & as soon as she poured it into the pan you had to start cutting it very quickly. My younger sister has the recipe & it would be fun to do this again.
This is great advice for people who get so caught up in the gift giving & feeling obligated on Christmas. That’s not what it is about.
Our family of 13 adults and 2 little ones have decided to only give inexpensive stocking stuffers to the adults and everyone will give a gift to the the children. I made fudge for the adults. It is a family heirloom recipe.
My wife knows my views on gifts. She knows that I don’t want or need anything, and if I do, I’d rather go myself and get exactly what I want. But she still likes me to have something to open. You may have heard of the “white envelope” story.
Now, each Christmas, my wife picks a charity or organization to donate to based on my interests. I love opening up that envelope each Christmas. One year it was baseball equipment that was donated to a struggling Little League. Another year it was a donation to a go fund me page for a teacher trying to send his kids to South America.
This is a terrific gift! Thanks for sharing.
No problem!
One of my favourite Christmases was in another country where I had been volunteering for months. Several of us shared a meal with a local family & exchanged a few simple gifts. We sang carols and Beatles songs! It was lovely and meaningful.