A few years ago, my family and I moved to the outskirts of the city, and set about enjoying a much calmer way of life. Letting go of unnecessary clutter and adopting a simpler style of living, I found myself with more time and energy to appreciate family, friends and the small pleasures in life.
Since making this shift in lifestyle, I’ve become very conscious of just how overwhelming the festive season can be, and how easy it is to get caught up in the craziness of it all. In the build-up to Christmas, there’s all kinds of advertising trying to convince us the best kind of holiday celebrations involve more – more presents, more decorations, more events, more money spent, but truth is, we all know deep down that the most important part are experiences rather than everything else.
And so this year I’ve decided to take a step back, and to have a more mindful and peaceful approach to Christmas. While I love to embrace the magic and joy of the festivities, certainly there’s a way to do so that’s simple and relaxed – for everyone’s sake.
If you take a moment to think about Christmases past, and your most cherished memories, the chances are your best memories aren’t about stuff but the simple, little traditions, and the time spent with each other. And so with this in mind, and a pen and paper in hand, I decided to write down five things that, to me, describe what Christmas is all about. Love, quality time, food, giving and slowness.
Next, I used these three words to inspire a small Christmas list, keeping it attainable, and paring things down to what really matters the most. This includes get-togethers to attend, a realistic budget to stick to, and gifts to buy. The idea is that whenever I’m in a flurry of to-do’s, I can come back to this piece of paper, and feel reminded of what’s important.
We have a ‘one present per loved one’ policy, and find this to be a simple, straightforward, and easy to manage approach that ensures we don’t over-spend, purchasing presents that are both practical and long-lasting. I’m also a big fan of giving (and receiving) experiences like vouchers, memberships and classes. All of which can be enjoyed without the problem of clutter.
Lastly, when it comes to the menu, I choose to forget long hours in the kitchen with complicated recipes, and stick to what I know best. We all know Christmas morning can feel a little frenzied, so it’s essential to feel confident about what you are cooking. I always make a big, beautiful cheese platter, one with varying textures, colours and flavours. Not only are they relatively simple to throw together, they’re a fun chance to get creative and make a conversation piece for those digging in.
And the remaining components of the menu? I’ll aim to prepare most of the food the night before so that I can move at a slower pace on the day and be present with my family. Because after all, sometimes the best gift we can give to those we love is our time.
