Christmas with Less Consumerism – Can I Do It?

by Janelle Gustafson

As the holiday season approaches, I find myself reflecting on my traditions and the joy I feel in gifting. With three adult children, my heart naturally leaps at the thought of surprising them with something special—especially when I stumble upon an item that instantly reminds me of them. Yet, like many families, our budget is not unlimited. Each year brings the familiar dance: making mental notes of thoughtful gifts throughout the year, only to forget them by December and scramble to find something meaningful that fits both our desires and our finances.

This year, however, a meaningful conversation with one of my children—who feels gift-giving has become forced and commercialized—made me pause. He reminded me that perhaps we’ve lost sight of what truly matters at Christmas. While giving gifts is my love language, his perspective challenged me to reconsider how we celebrate.

So this year, I’m embracing a new approach: mindful giving. Instead of buying everything brand new and/or on Amazon, I’ve started searching for treasures on Facebook Marketplace locally. Not only has this been surprisingly fun (and yes—a bit addicting!), but it helps reduce waste and also keeps perfectly good items out of landfills. In fact, I’ve even encouraged my husband to find my own gifts there!

But beyond shopping differently, I’m inspired to shift our focus altogether: What if we prioritized time together over things? What if experiences—like a family hike or a shared meal—or yummy treats replaced another gadget or sweater? What if donations in each other’s names became part of our tradition?

Most importantly, what if we approached Christmas through a Christian minimalist lens—focusing on Jesus’ message and cherishing what truly lasts: love for each other and gratitude for every moment together?

There will still be wrapped presents under our tree this year—but hopefully many will be secondhand finds or invitations to create memories rather than clutter. My hope is that by savoring these moments together during this beautiful season—and remembering the greatest gift ever given—we’ll rediscover the real magic of Christmas: connection, meaning, and joy beyond measure.