7 Things Minimalists Don’t Buy for the Holidays (for a Simpler Season)

Inside: Learn seven things minimalists don’t buy for the holidays to prevent waste and simplify the holiday season.

The holidays are a time of celebration, reflection, and connection, but for many, they can also be a season of excess. With all the advertisements, sales, and social pressure to keep up with the latest trends, it’s easy to find yourself accumulating more stuff.

For those embracing a simpler lifestyle, the holidays can present a unique challenge. How do you celebrate without falling into the trap of consumerism?

For minimalists, the goal is to create a holiday experience that emphasizes meaning over materialism, connection over consumption, and simplicity over excess.

If you’re aiming for a minimalist holiday this year, you may find yourself skipping certain purchases that are commonplace during the season.

In this post, we’ll look at common things minimalists don’t buy for the holidays. By eliminating unnecessary purchases, you can enjoy a more peaceful, joyful, and clutter-free holiday season.

7 Things Minimalists Don’t Buy for the Holidays

There are a number of common items minimalists don’t buy or own for a simpler life. Here are seven things minimalists don’t buy for the holidays to save money and prevent clutter in their homes.

1. Excessive Decorations

Holiday decorations are a beloved tradition for many, but for minimalists, it’s important to keep things simple and intentional.

Instead of overloading their homes with various decor items, minimalists focus on a few key meaningful pieces that reflect their personal style and bring a sense of warmth to the space.

What minimalists don’t buy:

• Excessive décor: While a festive wreath or a small tree might bring holiday cheer, minimalists tend to avoid buying decorations that are overly elaborate, trendy, or disposable. Inflatable yard decorations, large collections, and cheap items that won’t last beyond one season tend to be a no-go.
• Novelty items: Holiday-themed tchotchkes, such as figurines, can quickly clutter up the home. Minimalists prefer to avoid these items, as they’re often only used for a short period and take up valuable storage space.

Instead, minimalists choose:

• Quality, timeless items: Things can be reused for years, such as a handmade wreath or a simple, elegant centerpiece.
• Natural décor: Includes items like pinecones, fresh greenery, or dried flowers that not only add beauty but also won’t end up in the landfill after the season is over.

By focusing on a few meaningful holiday decor pieces, minimalists can create a cozy, festive atmosphere without creating unnecessary waste or clutter.

2. Trendy and Impulse Gifts

The pressure to buy gifts for everyone on your list can be a source of stress and financial strain. Minimalists, however, tend to be intentional with their gift-giving.

When minimalists purchase gifts, they focus on clutter-free options that can be enjoyed without creating waste.

They avoid buying last-minute gifts when possible but are sure not to purchase junk even if they are in a hurry. Instead, they focus on giving gifts that are thoughtful, useful, and aligned with the recipient’s needs or values.

What minimalists don’t buy:

• Trendy or gimmicky items: Gadgets or toys that are likely to be used for only a short time or to sit unused on a shelf are often avoided. This includes things like novelty kitchen items or tech gadgets that don’t add lasting value.
• Gift sets or baskets: Pre-packaged gift sets that you’ll find on the holiday aisle filled with bath products or mugs with cocoas are often low quality and include extra items that become clutter. Minimalists skip them completely (but may opt to curate their own with the recipient’s favorite items instead).

Instead, minimalists focus on clutter-free gifts such as:

• Experiences: Concert tickets, cooking classes, or day trips that create lasting memories, rather than accumulating physical objects.
• Personal gifts: These reflect the recipient’s interests, such as a homemade meal, a hand-knitted scarf, or a handwritten coupon for help with a specific task.
• Consumables: Things like homemade cookies, local produce, or specialty coffee beans—things that will be enjoyed and used up, rather than stored or forgotten.

The goal is to give gifts that align with the recipient’s needs and values, and that won’t contribute to unnecessary clutter in their home.

3. Holiday Themed Everything

The world of consumerism constantly churns out a seasonal or holiday-themed variety of just about everything.

A person could go to their local TJ Maxx or HomeGoods and replace many of their household items with a holiday version.

Minimalists, however, typically refrain from buying holiday versions of things they already have in their homes.

What minimalists don’t buy:

• Holiday-themed bedding: Minimalists avoid buying holiday-themed bedding, throw blankets, and pillows. These items take up a lot of storage and are used for a very limited time.
• Holiday towels: They also skip holiday towels that only get used for a month out of the year.

Instead, minimalists use:

• Linens: When warmer items are needed, they choose neutral ones that work in their home throughout the cooler months.
• White dishes: Many minimalists opt for white dishes that work year round including the holiday season.

Minimalists focus on quality over quantity with the items in their homes. They opt out of buying seasonal sets of items that would be used for a very limited window of time.

4. Disposable Gift Wrap and Cards

The amount of gift wrap, tape, and greeting cards used during the holidays is staggering. And the majority of it ends up in landfills.

Minimalists often steer clear of these disposable items, choosing instead to embrace sustainable alternatives.

What minimalists don’t buy:

• Cheap, one-time-use wrapping paper: Wrapping gets torn up within minutes. And wrapping paper covered in glitter or foil can’t be recycled, adding additional waste.
• Holiday cards: Mass-produced holiday cards with glitter and embellishments are often avoided. They’re usually read once and then discarded.

Instead, minimalists opt for:

• Reusing bags year after year.
• Fabric wraps, such as scarves or tea towels, that can double as a part of the gift.
• Eco-friendly wrapping paper made from recycled materials or newspaper.
• Handmade cards that are more meaningful and personal.

By getting creative with gift wrapping, minimalists reduce wasteful holiday spending and opt for more sustainable options.

5. Unnecessary Kitchen Gadgets

The holiday season often tempts people to buy the latest kitchen gadgets, hoping to prepare the “perfect” holiday meal.

While these items might seem useful at first, they often end up being used only once a year and take up valuable storage space.

By limiting kitchen gadgets and sticking with multi-use tools, minimalists keep their kitchens organized, functional, and clutter-free.

What minimalists don’t buy:

• Single-purpose holiday gadgets: Items like specialized cookie cutters, holiday-themed cupcake liners, or limited-use kitchen tools that only get used once a year (if that) often don’t make the cut. They add unnecessary clutter to already crowded kitchen cabinets.
• Large, bulky appliances: Holiday-specific appliances, like a deep fryer for a turkey, are often bought with the best of intentions but can sit unused for the majority of the year.

Instead, minimalists choose:

• Multipurpose kitchen tools: A quality knife, a versatile blender, or a slow cooker can handle everything from holiday meals to everyday cooking. Instead of buying gadgets for each holiday occasion, minimalists opt for items that serve a broader range of uses.
• Simplified cooking: Instead of purchasing specialty items for each dish, minimalists focus on simple recipes that don’t require unusual tools.

Instead, minimalists focus on the essential kitchen tools they already have, keeping their cooking process simple and efficient. A good set of multipurpose items, like a quality chef’s knife or a versatile cast-iron skillet, will go far beyond any single-use gadget.

6. Holiday-Themed Clothing

Holiday-themed clothing such as Christmas sweaters, themed pajamas, or novelty socks—are fun but can quickly become a clutter in your closet.

Many minimalists avoid buying these items, as they are only worn a few times each year if that. Buying these temporary, often cheaply made clothes isn’t a priority.

What minimalists don’t buy:

• One-time-use holiday outfits: Sparkly dresses, novelty sweaters, or seasonal accessories that only get worn during the holidays are not on the shopping list. These items take up precious closet space and don’t get enough use to warrant it.
• Seasonal accessories: Things like Christmas-themed scarves, hats, or socks that only add to the clutter and don’t serve a lasting purpose.

Instead, minimalists invest in:

• Classic, quality pieces: Instead of buying something just for a holiday event, minimalists choose clothing that can be worn year-round and dressed up or down. A versatile black dress, a cozy cardigan, or a simple sweater can work for many occasions—holiday or otherwise.
• Simple, neutral accessories: These items transition through multiple seasons and include things like a jewelry statement piece or a cozy colorful scarf.

This approach keeps your wardrobe streamlined, avoiding excess clothes that get very minimal use. This isn’t to say minimalists would never buy a Christmas-themed sweater, but if they do they likely purchase it secondhand and wear it year after year.

7. Holiday “Deals” (on Things They Don’t Need)

The holiday sales season can be overwhelming, with countless ads promoting “must-have” items at discounted prices.

While some of these deals are tempting, minimalists are cautious and don’t get swept up in the frenzy of consumerism. They make sure to avoid debt during the holiday season.

Instead of buying into the marketing hype, minimalists ask themselves:

• Do I really need this item?
• Will this add value to my life in the long term?
• What could I use instead?

Rather than falling for deals that contribute to more clutter, minimalists focus on what truly serves them in the long run. They also try to make do with what they already have.

Final thoughts on things minimalists don’t buy for the holidays

The holidays are a time to focus on what really matters. By avoiding the excess items that can clutter your home, your time, and your wallet, you can create a holiday season that’s not only less stressful but also more meaningful.

Minimalists make intentional choices to help make the holidays more about experiences and less about stuff.

Even if you’re not a minimalist you can embrace a simpler holiday season by being selective with your spending. And then you can focus on the moments and memories you make with your loved ones.

What do you think about these things minimalists don’t buy for the holidays? Let a comment and let us know.

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