SaltWire E-Edition

Easy ways to celebrate a simpler Christmas

JASON SHEPPARD

The weeks leading up to Christmas Day typically involve braving the crowded malls looking for the perfect gift, loading up shopping carts at the grocery store and, of course, the bustle of holiday travel.

But for many people this year — who are concerned and affected by rising food prices, gas increases, exuberant flight costs and even the rampant commercialization of the season — they are deciding to simplify Christmas.

For them, this holiday season will differ greatly from past years.

It’ll be an inexpensive, low-key one — by choice.

“We plan on doing a gift card Christmas for a few reasons,” says Mallory Leeza of St. John’s, NL.

“Our kids are 13 and nine, and are getting older, and even though they are asking for toys, they never play with the ones they have. I just donate more and more every year.”

Leeza currently works two jobs, one in film/television and one for the co-op Best Kind Buys. Her husband has been unable to work since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once December comes around, her film/tv projects go on hiatus and, after Christmas, she says the co-op isn’t quite so busy.

“That’s when the kids will ask to do things, and this way we can because we already have the gift cards. It’s nothing out of pocket at the slowest time for work,” she explains.

She feels that making memories with her family through this type of experience gift, made possible by the gift cards she gives her children at Christmas, is a better alternative than offering her kids a one-time present.

“We get to spend time together, and it’s something they will remember, and we will

use the cards over time and give us something to do each weekend,” she explains.

CUTTING DOWN ON TOYS

It isn’t just the rising costs of goods and services that shoppers are focusing on. It’s also the cost of big-ticket items, those “gotta-have-it” toys that children ask for each year.

Kayla Ryan, a single mother to an eight-year-old son, says she couldn’t keep up with the mass amounts of expensive gifts every year.

“I’ve always thought it was crazy to have so many presents under the tree that you can’t go into the living room,” says Ryan.

“The mass amount of presents often drives people into debt, and most of it ends up in a landfill in less than a year.”

Ryan now follows what she calls a “five present rule” which comprises two items her child wants (one is from Santa), one he needs, something to wear, and something to read.

He also gets a stocking. Since Christmas dinner just involves Ryan and her son, they’ll opt for a small meal instead of a huge cooked dinner.

Another item that Ryan will not be purchasing is Christmas cards, which she believes is a “waste that ends up in the trash in a week.”

Instead, she insists the money saved on cards will benefit someone less fortunate.

“I try to donate to someone in need every year. Sometimes just buying a meal for someone, or providing Christmas jammies," she explains.

NOT TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS

While December is the busiest travel month of the year, most airlines are still catching up because of COVID-19 halting travel for much of 2020. There is also the matter of climbing fuel costs, which partly accounts for ticket prices having increased this year. For many, travelling by plane will not be an option.

Bill Guiney of St. John’s and his wife have two grown daughters living in Alberta. He says the family has always enjoyed getting together to experience an old-fashioned Christmas. This year, however, Guiney will stay home while his wife, Sue, travels to Alberta.

“This year, my wife will go to see our daughters for Christmas,” Guiney told Saltwire. “She hasn’t seen either of them in over two years and as much as I would like to, I won’t be able to go out and see them until the spring.”

For Guiney, it will be a different Christmas without the company of his daughters or wife, who drove the vehicle beside him this past summer when he took part in the Walk Across Newfoundland to support mental health awareness.

Still, Guiney doesn’t plan on spending Dec. 25th alone. Instead, he’ll be volunteering at the Gathering Place on Christmas and Boxing Day.

“I’m not sure if that’s what is meant by a ‘simple’ Christmas, but that’s mine this year, and I’m very grateful to be able to do it.”

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2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

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