Last year my family decided to enjoy a present-free Christmas. It wasn’t a conscious effort to cut down on waste, but in retrospect, that’s really what it did. No wasted time and money spent shopping, and no waste of buying another pile of unnecessary clothes, household items, and purposeless gifts. And here’s the rub: Our Christmas didn’t change at all. Sure, we didn’t have that traditional frenzy of unwrapping gifts, but guess what, we didn’t miss it. It was proof positive that, especially for adults, the season really need not be about gifts. In fact, it need not even be about a belt bursting month of notorious food and drink. Instead, it is the perfect excuse to gather with the people we love on that one special day or night and experience what the season is all about: love.
Present-Free Christmas To Remember
The problem is that people forget is that this is a holiday based on religion. Not that I am overly religious myself, but it’s just a reminder. What has taken over is the idea of gift-giving, binge drinking at an endless calendar of parties and a grand finale of a massively indulgent feast. And if that’s what people want to do, have at it. I’ve done my own share of indulging. However, I’ve become a little mellowed in my old age. Don’t get me wrong, I still love that feast. It is a dear tradition I wouldn’t give up willingly, but then there’s that word again: give.
Present-Free Christmas Still Giving
So, let’s not forget that in the spirit of the season, the giving shouldn’t end. For example, I make sure I make a weekly donation to the local food drive. I do it every week throughout the year, not just at Christmas. It’s a small thing I do because the feast aspect of the season means so much to me. I can’t bear to imagine families not able to enjoy a special meal on Christmas Day. I also make sure to find a toy drive and bring something nice for a girl and boy. The thought of any child thinking they didn’t get a gift from Santa because they weren’t “good” is heartbreaking beyond words.
Present-Free Christmas Reduces Waste
According to the National Retail Foundation, over $680 billion is spent on this one day in the United States. Also, looking at the holidays through green glasses there is a 25% increase in the amount of trash created from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. That’s apparently about one million tons of garbage, 38,000 miles of ribbon, $11 billion worth of packing material and 15 million used Christmas trees a week. (1, 2)
25 Years Of Present-Free Christmases
The good news is, more families are choosing a present-free Christmas to help reduce waste. “People look miserable before Christmas. It saddens me more than anything – they’re either drunk or stressed to hell,” says David March an avid supporter of a present-free Christmas. David, who lives in Great Broughton in the UK has been going for walks with his dog for 25 years instead of indulging in Christmas. (3)
Waste Free, Not Present-Free Christmas
He’s not alone. In DeLand, Florida, Becki Svare also stopped buying Christmas presents for her family a few years ago. Instead, they pull names and share a memorable experience with the person as opposed to going for a completely present-free Christmas. “You had to be somewhat creative with it,” she says. “But we all agreed that it was better than buying things people don’t need.” (3)
Present-Free Christmas Avoids Too Many Things
According to Professor Jeffrey Galak who studies consumer behavior at Carnegie Mellon University, most of us have too many things. However, the present-free Christmas is changing that. “People are starting to realize that items really aren’t that important anymore,” he says. (3)
So, this year why not consider where those dollars might be better spent? Give to those in need and then bask in the joy of the season surrounded by the dysfunctional, yet always entertaining glow of your family and friends like me.
