13 Reasons to Skip the Holiday Decorations This Year
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The holiday season is also a season of stress. If it feels like you have one more thing to juggle, it’s probably because you do: between finding the perfect gifts, planning gatherings, and meeting deadlines before year’s end, decorating probably feels like one more thing to do. Skipping the lights, the garlands, the glitter could actually be more enjoyable for some.
Before you begin pulling boxes out of storage or make your annual trip to purchase holiday decorations, it’s worth considering the idea of a minimalist holiday. Giving up the decoration ritual will save time, money and stress. Here are some heartfelt reasons why this year, less might actually be more.
It Takes Time You Don’t Have to Decorate
Let’s face it, time is precious, and the holidays already take up a lot of that time. The calendar fills up fast between office parties, school events, and family commitments. This is a great excuse to skip decorating. Instead, you could put that time to good use watching a good movie, baking cookies or catching up with loved ones.
It Saves Money for What Is Important
Holiday décor can get expensive if you’re always tempted by the latest trend in holiday décor. The National Retail Federation says Americans spent an average of $230 on holiday decorations. That’s money you could use to buy memorable experiences or meaningful gifts, or just to keep your budget in tact.
It Reduces Holiday Stress
Sometimes, it feels overwhelming to create a picture perfect home. Not decorating this year may give you some room to breathe. Slowing down and scaling back holiday traditions can also reduce anxiety and help you get back to basics.
It’s a Win for the Environment
As decorations become more and more popular, each year tons of plastic and non recyclable materials end up in landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans produce 25% more waste during holidays. By skipping holiday decorations or choosing less stuffy, reusable options, you’re making a small but significant impact on our planet. That’s a gift that keeps on giving.
It’s Less Mess to Clean Up
Cleaning up tinsel, glitter, or fake snow after the holidays is a nightmare. While decorations may help to make your space festive, they also leave a mess you’ll have to clean up later. Skipping out on the décor saves you from vacuuming up pine needles through the month of February.
You Can Concentrate More on the Traditions You Prefer to Hold on to
Decorations can sometimes be a distraction. When you pare down the fluff, you have more energy to focus on the traditions that really matter, like Granny’s famous cookies, reading holiday stories or just spending time together.
Travel Plans Makes Decor Pointless
Why decorate your space for the month of December if you’re packing up and heading out of town for most of December? Put that time into planning your trip or making memorable experiences, wherever it is you’re going.
Kids Don’t Notice as Much as You Think
Now, I know it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you have to decorate for the kids. The truth is, though, most kids won’t recall the perfectly trimmed tree or carefully color coordinated ornaments. Instead, they’ll remember moments: DIY projects, building a gingerbread house together, making hot cocoa.
Your Space Can Still Feel Festive Without Décor
Visual flare isn’t all that festivity is about. You don’t need a single string of lights to make your house feel warm and cheerful — cosy blankets, a holiday playlist, or the smell of fresh baked cookies will do just fine.
It May Make You Feel More Connected
Not decorating could free up more time for things that matter. You might find yourself decking the halls less and more evenings reconnecting with friends, stories shared, and board games played.
Pet and Decorations Do Not Mix
If your cat loves to climb the Christmas tree or your dog can’t seem to resist chewing on ornaments, leaving out the décor may be a great way to save yourself a lot of frustration and even a trip to the vet. Keep your home pet friendly.
You’ll Dodge the Decorating “Arms Race”
If you live in a neighborhood where lights and inflatables are plentiful, it can feel like everyone’s trying to outdo each other for holiday displays. That’s why when you opt out, you’re stepping out of the competition and focusing on the things you really care about.
Simplicity Is the Best, Sometimes
The holiday season doesn’t have to be about more. Sometimes the most appropriate way to celebrate the spirit of the season is by simplifying. Maybe, without the distractions of décor, you’re able to reflect more on what this time of year really means to you.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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