Holidays

How To Talk To Your Family About Simplifying Gift Giving

November 9, 2026 by Amy Slenker-Smith Leave a Comment

The holidays will be here soon, and many are anxious about gift-giving. Currently, this is the topic people are asking me about. They remember last year that gifts detracted from the joy of the holiday itself. Some were overwhelmed by all the gifts they received. Others were made to feel less than because they misunderstood expectations for buying gifts. And this year, budgets are tight for many families. Here's why people feel this way: 25% of Americans are still paying off debt from last holiday season, according to WalletHub; and 53% of Americans admit to opening up at least one unwanted holiday gift each year, per Finder.com data; Americans spend over $10.1 billion on presents no one wants, per Finder.com data; What if you did something different this year? Here are a few ways to talk to your family about simplifying the holidays. Set The Table For The Conversation Discuss gift giving with your spouse or partner first. It always helped to set the table ahead of …

The Gifts I Donate Every January, and What to Give Instead

October 22, 2026 by Amy Slenker-Smith 2 Comments

I'm a Joshua Becker Certified Professional Organizer. I've spent ten years in other people's kitchens, which means I see the gifts that worked and ones that didn't. Many people love shopping and gift-giving, especially at the holidays. And recipients know this about the gift-giver. That's what makes the items hard to get rid of later. So before you buy anything this year, here is what I'd want you to know. Ask yourself where it will live If you can't picture the exact spot in their house, don't buy it. Remember, an avid reader probably already has enough books to read, and someone who loves clothing probably has several closets full. Don't give someone a hobby they didn't ask for The sourdough kit, the yoga mat, the gardening set. Those come to the donation pile more than almost anything, and usually unopened. I always suggest consumables Coffee, olive oil, candles they will actually burn, dark chocolate. Consumables are temporary and appreciated by people …

5 Minimalist Gift Ideas for a Clutter-Free Valentine’s Day

February 10, 2026 by Amy Slenker-Smith 2 Comments

Did you know that the Valentine’s Day tradition of giving candy started in the 1840s by Richard Cadbury, a descendant of a British chocolate manufacturing family? With a new chocolate-making technique, Cadbury seized the opportunity to sell chocolates as part of the beloved holiday. And so began the love holiday celebrated with chocolates, flowers, and oversized teddy bears. But I must remind you that $16 billion is wasted on unwanted gifts every year. So, before you click add to cart or order over-priced flowers, let's consider some clutter-free and inexpensive options that won't ruin your budget. Make Dinner At Home During college, I waited tables at a local restaurant, as did my future husband. That's where we met, and we could tell you a tale or two! As a result, we do NOT recommend eating out on Valentine's Day. Service is not at its best, food quality suffers, and restaurants are overcrowded to get you in and out fast. Don't do it. Also, Valentine's Day is …

How to Romjul – Guide to the Week between Christmas and New Years

December 26, 2025 by Amy Slenker-Smith 4 Comments

Every year, we look forward to winter break, especially the week after Christmas (a.k.a. Romjul). We often spend it at the beach with friends. After nearly 20 years, they are the kind of people who feel like family. And together, we have raised our kids. On one of those trips, we stumbled over the term, Romjul. Romjul accurately describes our experience between Christmas and New Year's Day. And now, we have a word for it. Romjul is a Norwegian holiday that refers to the week as a tranquil time to spend at home with friends and family undisturbed by the outside world. And a great time to rest, recharge and reset for the new year. The British equivalent is Boxing Week and I love the Danish term, "Yule Vacation." According to several articles, Romjul is more than a week on the calendar, it’s a mindset, a time to cozy up with loved ones, take long restorative walks, slow down and reflect on the past year. It gives us a reason to snuggle up on the couch and watch Hallmark. Awesome! …

Not yet…Not Christmas Day

December 18, 2025 by Amy Slenker-Smith Leave a Comment

The week before Christmas is my favorite week of the holiday season. The kids are out of school, work projects wind down, school activities are over, and everyone is in the holiday spirit. In my corporate days, there was an unwritten rule that after a certain date, work literally stopped. Any long-term or difficult assignments were met with the phrase, "let's circle back after the holidays." Email out-of-office replies started popping up, indicating no response until January. It's the time of year when you turn off the alarm and maybe even skip the gym. Shhh! Don’t tell Santa. You ease into the day with a Hallmark movie, coffee, and a blanket. I love to turn on the tree lights first thing in the morning. It’s always evident we’re ready for a break. Time to rest and recharge. As a kid, I remember how much I looked forward to winter break. On the last day of school, my mom let me open a special present. By the time I came home for Christmas break, our house …

How to Easily Decorate for Christmas in 1 Day

November 28, 2025 by Amy Slenker-Smith 11 Comments

After Thanksgiving, I decorate for Christmas. As a Christmas decor purist, “post-Thanksgiving” is my favorite time to decorate. I cheer for stores like Nordstrom’s that wait until after Thanksgiving. Usually, my decorations appear by early December. Gratitude at Thanksgiving My resistance to decorating before Thanksgiving stems from what has become known as the spending season instead of the holiday season. As a society, we move right past the gratitude holiday into the spending holiday. Kudos to REI who closes on Black Friday and encourages everyone to get outside. As I simplify, I actually enjoy the holidays more. And I mean all the holidays, including Thanksgiving. We focus on time with family, simple traditions, and giving to those in need, especially at the holidays. I think it helps our story get better and better. So if you're trying to figure out how to create a holiday season focused on what matters most, I have some suggestions. Start by setting …

Holidays

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