This year for Christmas we’re indulging Georgia more than we have in the past. Things that we’ve put on her list all through the year will actually make it under the tree this year. We usually have one present from Santa and one from us, but this year we’ve bought more little things that she’s wanted, like fuse beads and Shrinky Dinks, along with the Invention of Hugo Cabret book and blue high-tops that will be her “big” presents. It still feels pretty simple, and we’ve really worked to talk about the spirit of the season. But I still have a longing for Christmas to have meaning beyond gift giving, and just as I was thinking about simplifying I got an email alerting me to an article by Marie Sherlock, titled Simplifying the Holidays. Some of it we already do, some of it we’ll have to try for next year, but it was a good article written by the same person who has been inspiring me through her book Living Simply with Children. Maybe you’ll find inspiration, if not for this year, maybe for next!

Ways we’re keeping it simple:

Reusing decorations We’ve always reused our decorations from year to year, and we’ve rescued so many of them from disposal and bought some in thrift shops before they were fashionable (hence, when they were cheap). They remind me of Christmases past, from comforting times at my Grandma’s house. I love them and would never consider replacing them with something new, partly because they are made so much better, and partly because it is beloved tradition.

Fewer gifts, more meaning We started a tradition of taking my mom, stepfather Arnie and nephew Jacob to a show for our gift to them, and then gathering back at our house for dessert. This year we’re going to an exhibit of stunning photos from the Columbia River Gorge before much of it was submerged to create Bonneville Dam. Arnie remembers fishing up there, and we all have deep love for this wonder of nature. Arnie has recently finished cancer treatment and is still not eating solid food, so instead of pie we’ll have meltable, easy-to-swallow ice cream!

Homemade gifts For family friends we’re making yummy peppermint bark and homemade peppermint scented play dough, and spreading wacky, fake French musical joy with copies of the freely downloaded Danse Combeaux Christmas Album, all packed in reused Trader Joe’s coffee cans covered in red and white felt.

We saw an local amateur version of the Nutcracker, will walk down the festively lit Peacock Lane with our wonderful neighbor friends, and Georgia got to see Santa at Hova’s office party. (She told him she wanted a dollhouse. I nearly plotzed — have you seen what dollhouses cost?? — until I found out my mom is refurbishing her childhood dollhouse for Georgia. Way to recycle, Mom!) Georgia found some great local art that she wanted to get for Hova, and we donated a sack full of brand new toys to our credit union’s giving tree. Things feel good this year, even if we are spoiling G a little, and I feel like we’ll get closer to the meaningful holiday I’m looking for, probably with more than a little help from Marie Sherlock!