I am conducting a“A Christmas Without Presents” experiment!

 

Lately I have been thinking about what makes Christmas such a memorable time of the year for me. When I look back and remember the many Christmases I experienced growing up, I have memories of “sleepovers” in my room on Christmas Eve with my sister, waking up at 6 am on Christmas Day to get all dolled up and running downstairs to discover mounds of presents ready me unwrap. 

 

Even though I remember the joy and excitement of opening up these presents, what I truly cherish the most are the traditions. In fact, the happiest moments of my childhood – and now adulthood – were spent making unforgettable memories with loved ones. 

 

In all honesty, Christmas is more than consumerism and what you can buy at a store. It is about the birth of Jesus Christ, all things festive, family and generosity. This is what my family and I are trying to remind ourselves. That is why we are conducting the “A Christmas Without Presents” experiment! We will not open up a single present or stocking on December 25, 2015. Shockingly, we will not open up one single present during the whole month of December! We are delaying or postponing the gift-giving part of Christmas until January. January 16th, 2016 to be exact.

 

My family and I choose this date for two reasons. Firstly, the 16th is a date that is far-removed from the sacred holiday. This is important because it will allows us to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Secondly, we chose this date because it is not TOO far-off from Christmas (I know, the duplicity of this date is confusing). Anywho, we still want to feel like we are experiencing the excitement of the holidays...but just in January...haha.  

​

As I said the goal of this experiment is to spend more time with my extended family and make new traditions with them. Below I listed some activities, both old and new, that I will do with my family this year.  

 

Playing Monopoly, Outburst, and Taboo

 

Baking cookies

 

Making hot chocolate 

 

Building gingerbread houses, villas, and communities (We will be making a lot of gingerbread houses)

 

Cooking our holiday theme dinner (This year the theme for Christmas dinner is Soul food/BBQ)

 

And making Christmas fun and exciting for my younger cousins who are under the age of 5

 

​

Question: This was my experiment last year. Should I do the same thing in 2016?  I want to hear your opinion. Leave me a comment down below, like this post on Facebook and share! 

 

Until Next Time, 

​

Tay

 

​

 

"Your life is happening now. Make it amazing