Simpler

It all started with this post, but the idea of simplified holidays has been floating around in my mind for a while. Like that post, my family is in a kind of enforced “spending strike” this year (a single income in downtown Toronto only going so far these days) and, while we’re not homesteaders, we’re doing a pretty decent job at urban frugality. But the holiday season just has so many expectations upon it — whether self-placed or external — and are wrapped into ideas of “more”.

So I’m just letting go.

I’ve let go of the idea of Christmas knitting. Sure, some people might get something handmade for Christmas. But not everyone.

I’ve let go if trying to get “the perfect gift”. My family will appreciate what we find for them, but the quest for that one, super-special something is just too elusive this year.

I’ve let go of entertaining. I miss our large parties, but with two kids under three some quieter evenings with smaller groups just make more sense. No hors d’oeuvres necessary.

I’ve let go of having a tree (this one was a big one for me). Once again this year, we won’t be in our own home for the big days, so instead of spending too much on a tree we won’t even be sitting around, we’re just putting up some decorations around the house and are hoping that the tree at grandma’s has room for a few extra ornaments on the bottom branches to let the littles place something on the tree they’ll be seeing Christmas morning.

I’m letting go of expectations in favour of finding what really counts.. Soule Mama just posted about this same process, of finding the special within the simple. I like this. Sensible, but special. Simpler.

Here’s hoping it makes the holidays pass a bit more sanely…