Ideas for a Debt-Free Christmas

Ideas for a Debt-Free Christmas According to CNBC, 28% of shoppers are still in debt from last years Christmas shopping. Nonetheless, the average shopper plans on spending $776 on gifts this holiday seasonâ€"a nearly 50% increase from just four years ago. What the hell is wrong with us? Were spending money we dont have to buy gifts we dont need for people who dont want them. With the help of retailers creating a false sense of urgency, weve whipped ourselves into a frenzy. So, instead of pausing to ponder our impulses, we double downâ€"we lean into the tug of consumerism, attempting to commodify love one purchase at a time. Over time, weve turned the most wonderful time of the year into the most stressful time of year. But if were stressed out, perhaps were celebrating the holidays incorrectly. Of course, we neednt Grinch our Christmases to save our bank accounts and our sanity. It is possible to spend less money and still enjoy a more meaningful holiday season. Gift Experiences To start, we can gift experiences instead of stuff. We asked our friends and family for some of their favorite free or inexpensive adventures: Sunsets. Theater. Beaches. Concerts. Festivals. Hayrides. Massages. Museums. Art walks. Road trips. Babysitting. Yoga classes. Cryotherapy. Rock climbing. Holiday lights. Sporting events. Meditation retreat. Russian bathhouse. Christmas-tree hunting. Gift Consumables If gifting a physical gift is required, thoughtful consumables are a welcome alternative to material trinkets: Books. Wine. Coffee. Chocolate. Craft beer. Essential oils. Artisanal cheese. Home-cooked meals. Anything homemade. Gift Charitable Donations Better yet, if your friends and family already have everything they need, consider buying them a charity brick! Theyll appreciate it more than the scented candles, stale fruitcakes, and holiday-themed socks that other people got for them. Subscribe to The Minimalists via email.