Why I've Stopped Buying Christmas Decorations
Maybe you're like me, and feel overwhelmed with all you need to do at Christmas.
And maybe like me, you feel like you've spent one too many pennies every single day of the Christmas season, maybe just a few too many days long.
(Um, not gonna lie. I love every single second of the Christmas season and it can't be too many days long, but I love it even more when I don't feel like my spending is out of control.)
But then . . . you make the mistake of walking into Home Goods, or Hobby Lobby, or Michael's . . .
and see all the Christmas decorations,
and all of a sudden you've felt like just maybe you need all the things.
After donating or throwing away one too many ugly-out-of-date Christmas decorations in my life, I've learned this one thing that you need to listen right close to.
For real.
Don't buy all the Christmas decorations.
REALLY. DON'T.
Instead.
Grab a pair of scissors.
Put your coat on.
Take a walk outside.
Find a tree branch.
(A holly bush, boxwood, spruce or magnolia will do.)
Steal a few fresh clippings.
Bring them inside.
Put them on a plate you already own.
And don't spend too much on Christmas decorations this year that you won't likely love when next year the trend is all neon pink fur.
At the end of the season take it all out right back out to your yard.
Save yourself a trip to Goodwill.
(Or more clutter in your already-too-full-basement.)
You'll thank me in January. Promise.
Skimp on the Christmas decorations this Christmas.
I know you'll be glad you did.
Curious how we've scaled back for Christmas? Here's what I've trimmed down to over the last few years as we're focusing more on savoring the season and less on the stuff:
- our family Christmas tree
- our “vacation” tree (we get an ornament each year each time we travel and add it to this tree)
- our mantle with stockings
- a cute flocked small tree in our basement
- fresh greenery on just about any platter that will stand it
What are your favorite bushes to use from your yard for Christmas Decorations? I love holly, nandina, boxwood, spruce, and arborvitae. Leave a comment to share your favorites, I love hearing from you!
Looking for more bargain DIYs and a little encouragement too?
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I have reached a point where I ask myself “where am I going to store this??”
It really helps me prioritize purchases!
I wholeheartedly agree. Spending less time on buying, decorating and the eventual packing everything up allows more time to focus on what is important.
Great tips! Just like you, I also don’t want to spend too much on Christmas decorations. I mostly “recycle” and just update those out-of-date ornaments, stockings, and etc.
Aloha,
Every year I make a ti leaf lei and haku lei for our out door angel and throw in some some red ribbon. It looks great, lasts for weeks and it’s free…just a little work making the lei. I’d post a picture of her, but I don’t see a place to do that.
As for evergreen and pine cones…we don’t have them. So we make up for it with ti leaf and song of India leaf to make wreaths. Once the season is over, out to compost bin they go.
We have fake wreaths on our bedroom doors. A tree in the living room, and that’s it. I wanted a wreath on the front door, but we live in a trailer, and the door has a stand up top edge, so wreath hangers won’t fit.
command hooks work well on doors that you can’t put a door hanger over the top 🙂