As I walked down the busy streets of Orchard, trying to find the perfect Secret Santa gift, I had a revelation.
Christmas is a chore.
A painful, stressful chore.
Just think about it, really. The bright holiday lights strung across the streets of Orchard sparkle with promises of Christmas joy and happiness, yet they feel hollow, overshadowed by equally bright advertisements screaming for our attention: “Biggest Sale of the Year!”, “Christmas exclusives for some festive cheer!”. According to Marketing Interactive, seven in ten Singaporeans engage in holiday shopping. The “most wonderful time of the year” is also, it seems, the most wonderful time for retailers.
The Hidden Cost of Christmas
Wish lists, Secret Santas, and Christmas parties – once symbols of warmth and togetherness – now often feel like painful reminders of the endless scramble to spend and find the perfect gift for everyone, including ourselves.
Many are overwhelmed not with joy and happiness, but with crowded malls and an avalanche of shopping deals. Even children, often the focus of holiday gift-giving, are affected. The culture of excess teaches them to expect more, valuing quantity over quality.
Somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves this is what Christmas, or any holiday season (Hari Raya and Bazaars, I’m looking at you), is truly about.
But is it?
Christmas is not a chore; it’s a choice.
As J.R.R Tolkien says, ‘Here comes Christmas! That astonishing thing that no ‘commercialism’ can defile – unless we let it.”
We often grumble about the consumerism that overshadows holiday seasons, lamenting it like a kind of unavoidable seasonal flu. Yet the truth is, how we approach the festivities is entirely up to us. Sales and buying more stuff are choices we make. We can choose not to. It’s okay to be different. To be greater than the consumer culture’s push for more this Christmas.
People First, Stuff Second
Start small. Start simple. Replace the usual ‘C’ with something greater: connections over consumerism. Pride Author Janna Tay said, “Being present and intentional with time together is a true gift to the seniors around us.” While her advice focuses on the elderly, it’s a reminder that applies to all. The true spirit of Christmas isn’t in the gifts we exchange but in the connections we nurture.
But how?
1. Being rich in effort, not expense
Gifts don’t need to be expensive or store-bought to be meaningful. Instead, opt for something handmade. Maybe a batch of their favourite cookies baked by you, a personalised handcrafted card, or maybe even a handpicked playlist of songs that remind you of your friendship.
These gifts carry the weight of your time, effort, and thoughtfulness. Things that money simply can’t buy.
2. Gifting generosity
One way to counter consumerism is to do the exact opposite. Instead of asking, “What can we get?”, let’s ask, “What can we give?” Maybe it’s something you’ve made, or perhaps it’s as simple as giving your time. Fulfil the wish list of a furry friend, bake with the elderly, or run to grant a child’s wish. There are plenty of websites online that offer inspiration such as Singapore Kindness Movement. So, rather than seeking satisfaction through new material possessions, let’s find fulfilment and happiness in helping others.
3. Creating Experiences
Instead of giving material gifts, focus on creating meaningful experiences. Plan a family outing to one of Singapore’s many free Christmas events, enjoy a picnic, or host a game night. Skip the gift exchanges and bond over a Christmas movie marathon or by cooking a meal together.
Over time, appreciation for material gifts often fades, while the memories of shared experiences endure. While thoughtful gifts can hold meaning– symbolising care or fulfilling a specific need, experiences tend to create deeper and longer-lasting happiness. In fact, what I remember most from my office Christmas party wasn’t the treats tucked into my stocking, but the laughter I shared over a Christmas Kahoot quiz created by a fellow colleague.
By being fully present and intentional, you offer a gift far more meaningful and enduring than anything wrapped in shiny paper.
So, for this Christmas, let’s shift the focus from buying to being – being present, intentional, and connected. After all, the best gifts aren’t bought; they’re shared.
What are some of your “no-costs” Christmas ideas? Let us know!