In my last post I talked about keeping Christmas simple. It’s easy to get caught up in the consumerism surrounding the festive season, but this year I’m focusing on keeping it minimal and meaningful. Embracing minimalism and simple living doesn’t mean missing out on the most exciting parts of Christmas, though.
Some of my fondest childhood memories are waking up ridiculously early on Christmas morning and creeping downstairs to marvel at the twinkling tree and all the presents that lay beneath it. Myself and each of my three brothers were giddy with excitement as we checked each label, searching for the gifts that were labelled as ours. It was such a special part of childhood and now that I’m a mother, I love that I get to play Father Christmas and tiptoe around the creaky floorboards whilst our little ones sleep.
With children it can be so tempting to go wild with gift giving. But I think all parents know that the toy situation can spiral out of control pretty quickly, which in turn leads to a constant making-a-mess/time-to-tidy cycle. And most importantly, not being extravagant with gifting for our children means they will truly appreciate what they receive.
I recently stumbled upon a lovely gifting philosophy that fit with the minimalist lifestyle, whilst also allowing for selecting beautiful gifts for the children that they can cherish. Some of you may already be familiar with it – ‘want, need, wear, read.’ Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. I just love the simplicity behind it. It means no unwanted toys cluttering up the room, unloved and unplayed with – only gifts which have been thoughtfully selected.
Of course, it can be applied for any gift purchase, adults and children alike, and it’s a useful phrase to remember if someone asks you for your own gift ideas or wishlist. It encourages being intentional with gift giving; emphasising cherishing what we receive, or thoughtfully selecting what we buy for someone else, which often is lost in the mad rush of Christmas festivity and last minute panic buying.
So this year, we’ll be gifting a few quality items from each category, along with some smaller items to fill the children’s stockings. Have you heard of this simple gift giving philosophy before? Would you incorporate it into your own Christmas?
[Pictured]
Want: Bunny Toy
