Rethinking Christmas: Avoiding Overconsumption and Embracing Simplicity
Christmas time. It’s a period of the year I’ve struggled with since moving to Australia. Not having your immediate family around you is hard. Not to mention the absence of a cold winter.
Other things that really gripe me about Christmas are overconsumption, the misconstrued messages, and family politics. I don’t want to be perceived as a scourge because I give it a fair go. I really do! But the more I try, the more I cannot see past what appears to be the blindingly obvious.
We moved to the Southern Highlands for a quieter life. One of the places I used to despise was Narellan Town Centre, located between Campbelltown and Camden, about 50 minutes southwest of Sydney’s city. This was post-redevelopment and during the explosive population growth seen in the Macarthur area. You could smell the stress before entering the shopping centre and then see it in the eyes of those marauding around, trying to fill their trolleys as full as the person next to them. I used to come home and say to my wife, “What has happened to people?”
I recently read an article in the December edition of Money Magazine, which advised, “Aussies are expected to drop $69.7 billion on Christmas purchases. We’ll spend an average of $660 each on festive gifts. A whopping $921 million spent on gifts will likely end up in landfill. One in four Aussies relied on their credit card or used buy now, pay later services to fuel spending.” Those are some serious facts! The sad thing is, it’s the same every year.
It’s clear that Christmas has become synonymous with excessive spending and waste. But what if we chose to do things differently? What if we gave with meaning rather than falling into the trap of mindless consumption?
Reflecting on my own childhood, I remember what seemed like a mountain of presents from my parents and family. While it felt magical at the time, looking back, it was too much. It wasn’t about “keeping up with the Joneses,” though. I think it was simply because I was a kind and respectful kid.
Now, as a parent myself, we’ve adopted a “something you need, read, want, and wear” policy for gift-giving. This approach has worked for years, bringing purpose and meaning to the tradition without breaking the bank. But this year, we did something that felt even more meaningful. Each of us, including our children, spent $15 on gifts for children less fortunate and donated them to our local RSL for distribution. It was a small gesture, but I hope it leaves a lasting impact, not just on those who receive the gifts but on my children, who learned the value of giving without expectation.
The meaning of Christmas can be very different for those who celebrate it. I am not religious; however, we do try to incorporate the story of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they’re the books our children have available. It is only natural for children to be curious, and we feel that is the right thing to do. We also see Christmas time as a period where families come together to celebrate, eat, and make memories. For Christmas in 2023, we went camping with my wife’s mom, and it was beautiful. This year, we stayed at home, which was nice. Next year, we hope to celebrate in our new home. When did spending money override this?
In terms of gifts, as discussed above, we stick to a “something you need, read, want, and wear” policy. Do we feel our children go without? No. Is it hard because we were showered in gifts and are bombarded with adverts and imagery setting unrealistic expectations of Christmas presents piled as high as the tree? Absolutely. But you work through that. In your children’s eyes, who buys the presents? Santa. Mate, I work my arse off to buy those presents, and I let them know that. Sure, Santa can put some gifts in their stockings, but they know Mom and Dad bought those gifts with our money.
Another win this year was “family experiences.” Toys in big boxes might get played with for a few days, but in 10 years, what will your children remember? The Barbie Dreamhouse or going to the zoo or the circus? I guarantee it will be the experience, because you know why? You did it together!
And that brings me to family politics. Many moons ago, I worked in the real estate industry, and the most depressing time of the year was just after Christmas. Why? People splitting up. People reflect on the year that has been, they reassess what they want for the new year, and feel the pressure that comes with Christmas. These are the main reasons why people split up. While I am not here to judge your character or tell you how you conduct yourself throughout the year, we can make decisions to make Christmas less stressful. The “something you need, read, want, and wear” policy is a perfect example, or setting a budget for each person you buy for. Talking about this with your partner also goes a long way.
I heard of a family who loathed going to one of their relatives’ houses for Christmas. It ruined the day. So, what did they do? They celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve and then went to the relative’s house on Christmas Day. No hard feelings, and everyone was happy. Brilliant!
Another favourite of mine is addressing when family buy your children stuff they don’t need. It kills me! Money wasted. I don’t know if this is a generational thing because, not everyone is open to this, but sit down and have a chat. Suggest a meaningful gift, like money in their bank account for when they’re older. Think of a car or home deposit! Even better, suggest they buy a family experience and join in!
As we reflect on the festive season just gone, let’s consider the moments that truly mattered. Was it the mountain of gifts or the time spent together as a family? By embracing simplicity, meaningful giving, and genuine connections, we can ensure that future celebrations focus on what really counts—love, joy, and togetherness. Let’s carry these values forward, shaping traditions that bring lasting happiness for years to come