The Holiday Consumerism Hangover: How I’m (Finally) Opting Out of the December Chaos
As I sit here comparing my kids’ Christmas lists to the budget spreadsheet (IYKYK), aggressively deleting the early Black Friday email avalanche, and trying to come up with a decent wish list for my very generous mother-in-law… I can feel the Scrooge in my soul starting to rear its ugly, $0-spent head.
Listen, I love the holidays—truly. The twinkle lights, the hygge aesthetic, the excuse to bake something that calls for a full stick of butter. But I simultaneously hate the consumerism. I feel actively guilty about adding more unnecessary stuff to the landfill (or, let’s be real, the overflowing playroom corner). And I long for the days when I was a kid, blissfully oblivious to it all, just desperately wishing for a Walkman. (Spoiler: I got one. And yes, it was glorious. 😂)
Still, I want to make the season magical for my own kids—without nuking our savings rate or drowning in cheap plastic. So, in the spirit of being intentional (and letting this whole thing be easy for once), I’ve made a few non-negotiable decisions this year. I’m sharing these in case you, too, are suffering from the holiday-induced financial anxiety spiral. If you’re not, great! Maybe it’ll just inspire you to think about what actually matters to your family, and what boundaries you want to put in place for your sanity (and your wallet).
💸 My Three-Point Plan for Surviving Gift-Giving Season
1. Shop Early (No, Like, Seriously Early)
My goal is to be done by December 1st. Full stop. I want to actually enjoy the season—not sprint through it like a stressed-out mall rat who missed the good parking spots. This means that ideally, I’ve thought about things since September, committed to ideas in October, and have been buying things strategically throughout November. The number of years that I’ve thrown my credit card at an online cart two days before Christmas, wasting money just to have SOMETHING, is gross. No more!
My husband and I will have an in-person shopping date right after Thanksgiving for any last-minute, impossible-to-ship-without-paying-$20-in-freight gifts, and to grab a festive drink. (A necessary evil to get into the “spirit,” if you will.)
Side Note: There have been years—many of them—where this kind of planning and spending capacity was just not doable, thanks to our financial situation. Life is hard, yo. If you’re making it work in December, that’s just as much of a win.
2. Keep the Tracking Simple (And Secure)
I’m tracking gifts, budgets, and links in one password-protected note on my phone. (Snoops are everywhere, even in my own house.) No fancy subscription app, no complex spreadsheet I have to maintain.
If a kid asks for something, it goes into the note. If I get a great idea, it goes into the note. When family members inevitably text to ask for ideas, I can copy/paste directly from the note. Low effort, high compliance. That’s the Let It Be Easy way.
3. Shop Small and Local (Where the ROI is Highest)
If I can’t find it at a small business (read: a non-Amazon retailer), I’ll grab it from a local big-box store instead of ordering online. At least then, I’m supporting my community—the people who work those hours and make the season bright for their own families.
Look, we’re all doing the best we can. If you need to buy the batteries or the Legos at Target because that’s where you are, it’s fine. But if we’re all just trying to do something to shop local and small, we can give ourselves grace on the rest. We’re aiming for progress, not perfection.
🎁 How to Find a Great Gift That Doesn't Feel Like Clutter
First of all—take the pressure off. Seriously. The “perfect” gift does not have to be grand, clever, or go viral on TikTok. The best gifts are the ones that make someone feel seen in their daily life. That’s it.
Here’s the framework I use to avoid buying novelty junk:
💡 The Upgrade: Is there something they use all the time that’s starting to wear out? A few years ago, I upgraded my husband’s wood-chopping axe (yes, he chops our firewood like some sort of New England lumberjack), and he was thrilled. Sometimes the best gift is just a better, more durable, more aesthetically pleasing version of something they already use daily.
💡 The Double-Down: If they have a favorite sweatshirt, mug, or candle—just get them another one. My daughter lives in one specific pair of sweatpants. If she opened a second, identical pair on Christmas morning, she’d be just as happy as if I’d bought her a $50 gadget she’d use twice. Don’t overthink what works.
💡 The Borrowed Taste: If you see something that you’d love but would never justify buying for yourself, that is usually a perfect gift for your best friend. (No spoilers here, but yes… I may have already pulled the trigger on a gift for a friend that is essentially an excuse for me to see it in her house.)
💖 Small-Shop Finds I’m Vetting This Year
Because sometimes you need a little intentional inspiration that isn't destined for the next neighborhood yard sale. (Note: These are examples of gifts that feel personal, thoughtful, and, crucially, will be used up or loved into oblivion.)
For Her
Monogrammed Cosmetic Bag ($13.50): Simple, classic, and customizable. Perfect for teachers, best friends, or a clutch add-on for a teen paired with a Sephora Gift Card.
Team/Motto Sweatshirt ($35): Personalized with their school, team, or favorite phrase. Way cuter than the standard bulk order and the kind of thing she’ll actually live in all winter. I ordered one for myself, in our kids team colors so I can get maximum wear. (Practicality rules.)
Mother’s Birthstone Ring ($35): A timeless, sentimental piece that can hold the stones for her kids (or pets, because let’s be real, they count).
For Anyone
Crystal Suncatcher ($5): A $5 little piece of whimsy you hang in a window that makes rainbows appear. A little happiness that costs less than your afternoon latte.
Handmade Porcelain Espresso Cup ($31): Small-batch and stunning. The kind of cup that turns your morning caffeine habit into a legitimate ritual.
Custom Photo Playing Cards ($25): Fun, affordable, and personalized. Great for a family that loves game night or a work bestie. You can even use travel photos, or their beloved pet.
For Him
Personalized Leather Cord Organizer ($40): For the guy whose backpack is a tangle of cords. Sleek, durable, and monogrammable (because everything is better with a monogram).
Personalized Wood Desk Tray ($35): A handsome catch-all for keys, wallet, or watch. (P.S. I asked my husband to shop on Etsy for gifts he’d actually like, and this was his first pick. Trust the user.)
Handmade Leather Wallet ($23): Timeless, practical, and beautifully made. The anti-“throwaway” gift. Also appropriate for those notoriously hard-to-shop-for teen boys; add a food gift card to it and you’re done.
For Toddlers
Climbing Arch with Pillow ($90): A handmade wooden arch that encourages movement and imagination. It’s as beautiful as it is functional (and way prettier than the plastic clutter).
The Bottom Line (Where We Talk About Meaning, Not Money)
Thoughtful gifting isn’t about more—it’s about meaning. It’s about slowing down, making intentional choices that don't torpedo your financial goals, and actually enjoying the process again.
So shop small. Shop smart. And most importantly, shop with the kind of intention that makes the post-holiday credit card bill feel justified.
What’s one intentional shopping boundary you’re setting this year?