My minimalist and local-loving Christmas

The holidays are a time of total happiness for me. I am the anti- grinch ! As of December 1st, decorations and Christmas tree embellish and decorate my house. It is sickly. I have already cried all the tears in my body for having lost my advent calendar. I am 18 years old. I once freaked out because I wanted to manage the Christmas tree decorating. I won. My children were born in December. For my greatest happiness. So I have the right to sing them Christmas songs all year round to put them to sleep. And what I love above all? Family gatherings, meals and…yes, gifts!

However, for several years, after noticing my son's eagerness to unwrap presents without even appreciating them… I questioned myself. I wondered if abundance was really what I wanted for my children. In a minimalist and locaphile approach, I decided to change the way we give and receive during the holidays. Less nonsense, more quality.

The minimalist Christmas challenge

I had seen on my dear Pinterest a table that presented the Christmas challenge. Only four gifts should be given:

Without exactly following this challenge to the letter, I was inspired by it. Because I also have to respect the desires of my loved ones, and I tend to sometimes go too fast in my steps. The main thing for me is not to overcrowd my tiny playroom and above all to prioritize quality, useful and durable gifts. Gifts that wouldn't end up in a donation box next year.

Since last year, the grandparents have each given a gift for Christmas and for their party (which is in December!). Aunts sometimes offer money, sometimes clothing. Sometimes they participate in the purchase of the grandparents' gift when it requires more money or offer money for RESPs.

On our side, we offer an additional gift, always according to the needs and requests of our children. Sometimes a movie, sometimes a doggie (I have a bag full of doggies from my childhood that I quietly give away every year).

In short, I organize this challenge as best as I can while respecting the limits of my loved ones too.

“Made in Quebec”

My loved ones know it, I am now a pure and hard locophile! I like products made in Quebec. I love the love that goes into it, the quality, and I know our companies are doing wonders. So I manage to ask for local products and suggest local businesses to my relatives.

I particularly like to offer home products, such as the Parceline ceramics that I will be giving away this year, or the magnificent key rings from Compagnie Robinson and Boho Montreal . For my part, I asked for an urban hammock and some bulk bags from Dans le sac . I'm also thinking of offering little treats like mini pots of La Lichée caramels or Lecavalier Petrone chocolates . You just can't go wrong with them!

As I collaborate with Signé Local, I shop a lot on the online store , at the Quartier Dix30 store and for the few gifts I have left to buy, at the Expo Fait au Québec !

Sustainable materials and products

I also want the products offered to be of high quality. Clothes made in China, I have tons of them. I don't want more. An evolutionary garment? Yes OK. It will be over a year old and I'm sure it was made ethically. My son particularly likes the harem pants from Little Yogi . So I suggested to my mother to give her a new pair from the new collection.

More and more, wooden toys are popular and present in shops. I also prioritize them, because all these plastic toys I received in previous years didn't last long in the delicate hands of my children!

Used? Why not!

I always shop around for used toys on the net. It's a great way to give back to other families and consume more responsibly. For example, this plastic toy that would make my child happy. I would much rather buy it used, give it a second life, rather than embark on holiday overconsumption and buy a new one.

Always helpful

In the end, when I make my list of gifts, whether for myself, my children, or to offer, I think above all about the usefulness of these gifts. Too often, I let myself be carried away by impulses: the famous xylophone of my childhood, a humming rocking horse… these gifts ended up in a corner, unused. I bought them without really thinking about what my kids wanted or needed. I sold them a year later on kijiji!

For this, I respect the Christmas challenge quite well and reduce the number of toys to the maximum. For the rest, we ask for money for children's activities or better, for RESPs. I know, it's not great to give money, but you have to look further: it's an education that you give as a gift!

This year, for example, my children received a teepee from Babilles et Babioles . We are in the process of creating a small quiet play area for them with a library and stuffed animals. Even though it wasn't an interactive toy from their favorite TV show, my kids were happy to learn that they now have a secret cabin in the house! In this haven of peace, a small night light fromVeille sur toi will also embellish the room.

It's a lot of work on myself that I am currently doing. I have always loved receiving gifts. But I try more and more to apply this principle to myself and to ask less. Or, asking for useful gifts that I would eventually buy anyway.

Reviewed by Louise

Cover: Lecavalier Petrone by Rosalie Desrosiers-Gaudette