I watch a fair number of YouTube videos. There are several out there right now for which the them is what they do not buy at Christmas. I thought I'd throw my take on it. Join in if you want!
I do not buy ribbons, bows and gift tags.
I still have gallon size ziplock bag of bows that I bought easily ten years ago that we reuse for gifts here at our home. Gifts that are not for us, are usually being stuffed in a car or a box, thus do not hold up well with bows and ribbon. I'm currently using up some blank address labels and free gift tags stickers. I simply write the name and stick it to the back of the gift. When I run out of free options, I will simply write directly on the package. Old cards you receive can be turned into a gift tag. I've even used cards stock I have on hand.
I do not buy live Christmas trees I have two artificial Christmas trees. One is from when I was a child, bought in the mid 1980s. And the second one was bought at the end of season at Target about three years ago. I paid $20. I expect at some point we will downsize and pass one of the trees to someone else to use, but I have enjoyed having two trees while living in larger homes. The trees are our main decorations.
I do not buy holiday music or movies We own Polar Express and about 6 discs of music. We have owned those for years, but as things have gone digital and streaming is available online we simply use free options for our listening and viewing needs.
I do not buy new gift bags. Years ago when my girls were in elementary school I bought some classic red and green gift bags through a fundraiser. I use these gift bags, along with others we have received gifts in over and over. I tend to keep the ones that are just red and green, so they all coordinate. And when I buy gift wrap, I choose ones that can be for kids or adults and stay with the red and green theme. I probably only buy four rolls of gift wrap every three years. I did use up one roll this year, so I expect to hit the clearance sales and pick up one or two. I also limit the amount of tissue paper I use by taping the top of the gift bag. No tissue needed!
I do not buy Christmas themed items This one is a bit all encompassing. I don't buy Christmas jewelry, special outfits, napkins, tableware or plastic storage containers.
For the most part you can probably tell, we just reuse what we have purchased in the past. The stockings for the girls are the only ones they have ever owned. Picking a classic style helped, not feel the need to replace something that was dated.
A few other places where our Christmas spending is limited, is we only buy two new ornaments a year. These are for our girls. I usually buy those ones at World Market for $2.50 each. Or I find some on clearance the year before. I currently only send three Christmas cards. One to my parents, one to my mother in law and one to my oldest daughter at college. Next year I will send four since my youngest will be at college. I did run out of cards this year, so that is another item I will buy on clearance at the end of the season.
Tell me what you don't buy during the holiday season.
Things I Don't Buy at Christmas
December 9th, 2017 at 02:16 pm
December 9th, 2017 at 02:41 pm 1512830465
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December 9th, 2017 at 06:08 pm 1512842920
Bows & ribbons--most of the time I don't bother, but we do have a few we reuse. Tags--I just write on the opposite side of scrap wrapping paper and tape it on. Ornaments--we've got maybe 3 sets of 6-8 over the years, but family gifts ornaments all the time so we have plenty for two trees. Other decorations we bought a long time ago and just use and reuse. Special table settings/dishes--nah.
We buy gifts for each other in the household, and occasionally something small for our downstairs neighbors. And for our parents. Siblings, friends, co-workers all mutually don't do gift exchanges.
What we do spend on:
Xmas gifts (just for the people mentioned above)
Groceries (some extra treats and snacks)
Experiences (treats and small things at holiday festivals etc.)
Big bonus for our daycare providers
December 9th, 2017 at 06:42 pm 1512844932
December 9th, 2017 at 11:51 pm 1512863461
Real I just love real trees.
December 13th, 2017 at 01:34 am 1513128867