$pent Millennial

Dear Reader,

We don’t have to cancel Christmas.

Or any holiday, for that matter.

It’s a holiday weekend — and a busy one at that — for many, including me, so I’m going to keep this brief.

This year, there has been a lot of talk about “canceling Christmas” — and other holidays too.

Understandable. For some, it’s a protest: a pushback against corporate greed, consumer pressure, and the expectation that our worth is measured by what we can buy.

For many others, it is less of a choice and more a decision made out of necessity. Many people simply cannot afford to celebrate in the traditional, commercialized way without going into debt– or further into debt. So many households are already maxed out.

America is spent.

I feel it too. But I absolutely love Christmas and the holiday season. 

Not the gifts, not the frantic buying, not the mall music starting in October. What I love is the quiet. The togetherness. The traditions that don’t have to cost anything at all. 

And that is something I am not willing to cancel. 

So this week, I want to share a few holiday traditions I’m looking forward to — traditions that cost little or nothing, but still bring me great joy and excitement (something I think we could all use a bit more of these days). 

Decorating my apartment with what I already have.

Every year, the Friday after Thanksgiving, I pull out the tangled, mismatched box of holiday decorations I’ve collected over the years and “Christmasify” the apartment. 

My partner always works that day, so I feel like a little elf transforming the place before he gets home. It reminds me of being a kid, waking up in Chicago after Thanksgiving and seeing the entire city magically decorated overnight — before corporations started pushing Christmas in September.

My decorations aren’t fancy or new. One of my favorites is a green plaid blanket I bought years ago with my literal last pennies because I wanted “Christmas bedding” but money was tight. I still use it every year, draped over my regular quilt (flipped upside down so the summer pattern doesn’t show). It makes the room feel special without costing anything now.

Our annual holiday walk to pick out a “tree.”

This might be my favorite tradition. My partner and I bundle up and walk through our downtown, looking at lights, sipping something warm from the local café, and eventually choosing our “Christmas tree.”

If you’re new here: our “tree” is always a fallen branch — something sturdy, interesting, and abandoned by nature (or trimmed off by the city). We bring it home, place it in a pot, and decorate it with lights and our special ornaments. It’s festive, free, and a way to have a “natural tree” without cutting one down or spending a cent. Plus, the story is half the charm.

Coffee in bed + a cheesy holiday movie.

This time of year, I give myself permission to slow down. On weekends, I trade my usual morning reading for a cozy Hallmark or Lifetime holiday movie in bed. On weekdays, I move the ritual to the couch before work. It’s small, but it shifts the whole season into “gentle mode.”

Festive coffee syrups.

Speaking of coffee — I switch out my usual hazelnut or vanilla for holiday flavors like Winter Spice or Irish Crème. I still have some from last year, and the rest comes from a small holiday sinking-fund budget. When I’m feeling extra cozy, I top it with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cookie crumbs. It’s my personal homemade latte joy.

Buying a toy to donate.

This one does cost money, but it doesn’t have to be much and comes from my holiday sinking fund. It is money that feels good to save and to send. 

Every year, my family (whoever wants to join) goes out to pick toys to donate to Toys for Tots or a similar local charity. It scratches that “holiday shopping” itch, but for a purpose that actually matter to me. 

Volunteering.

Giving back is important to me and in alignment with spending my money and time on my values. In addition to charitable donations, I also love to volunteer– especially this time of year. I always find a few fun, festive and meaningful shifts to sign up for during the holiday season. It is even better when I can get friends or family to join me! 

If giving back is part of your holiday season, but money is tight, volunteering is a beautiful option. Food pantries, community meals, toy drives, and local shelters all need hands this month. It fills the soul without draining the wallet.

Cozy movie nights with a homemade dinner.

Sometimes the best holiday evening is nothing more than a favorite homemade meal and a comforting movie. No crowds, no bills, just peace.

These are just a few ways I love to celebrate the holidays without making it about spending, shopping, or commercialism. The season — at its best — is about joy, connection, and meaning. No dollar amount can buy that.

However you celebrate, or don’t celebrate, I hope you remember: it doesn’t have to be — and truly shouldn’t be — about what you spend. In fact, maybe the most powerful protest we have left is keeping the spirit of the season without feeding the machine.

Until next week — take care.

Everett

P.S. I would love to hear about your traditions!