For many families, Christmas morning is built around presents and the happy chaos that follows. But as the holidays approach, more parents are questioning whether piles of gifts actually add joy or simply add pressure. Some are choosing a Christmas without presents, swapping shopping lists for shared time, simpler traditions, and experiences their kids will remember.
The shift is part values, part practicality. A Kiddie Academy survey found that 73 percent of parents say they prioritize experiences like travel or learning over material things, reflecting a growing desire to make the season feel less consumer-driven. A CNET survey from 2024 also suggested a small but notable group of US shoppers planned to skip gift-buying altogether. For families dealing with holiday debt or stress, the idea can feel less like a sacrifice and more like relief.
One example that recently caught attention was a grandmother who explained she doesn’t buy Christmas gifts for her grandchildren at all. Instead, she puts that money into savings accounts she opened for them, choosing long-term support over short-term excitement. For others, the motivation is more about teaching gratitude in a culture that can blur the line between love and stuff.
April Jackson, a mom of 4.5-year-old twins, told Parents.com she faced criticism after sharing her no-gifts approach online. She decided to cut out presents for both Christmas and birthdays because she wants her children focused on experiences rather than belongings. When friends or relatives insist on giving something, she asks for experience-based gifts and says she dislikes the pressure people feel to compete over who can buy the best present.
Jackson says her holidays now center on people and food, and she doesn’t feel guilty about it, especially because her kids still have plenty to look forward to. She described a life filled with regular trips, new places each week, and new states each month, which she sees as more meaningful than another box under the tree. She’s open to slowly reintroducing gifts when her twins are older, but for now she’s content with the choice and says those close to her respect her parenting style.
@tammie_time_ They will have more than some people make in a year when they are ready for it. #fyp #fypシ゚viral #breakinggenerationalcurses #grandmasoftiktok #fypシ ♬ original sound – tammie_time|Mimi
Another mom, Brittany Magsig, who has children aged two and four, said the turning point came when her oldest accumulated more toys than she could have imagined. Between gifts from relatives and purchases at home, the volume became overwhelming, and the family’s preference for a minimalist, clutter-free space made the season feel stressful instead of special. She also noticed duplicates and age-inappropriate toys, with many items ending up forgotten in closets.
Magsig tried setting expectations by messaging relatives that the family would focus on experiences rather than gifts, even offering ideas people could enjoy with the kids. Still, some loved ones kept bringing presents, often explaining that giving a particular item mattered to them. Now, her family aims for a mostly gift-free holiday while staying flexible, with a longer-term plan to focus on travel, family memories, and the meaning behind the season rather than the size of the gift pile.
Would a no-gifts Christmas make your holidays calmer or would it take away some of the magic? Share your take in the comments.
