How I’m Whimsy-Maxxing To Spend Less This Holiday Season

We've already had the “No big gifts, no splurges, bah humbug” conversation at my house, and for good reason.

Spending big during past holidays has rarely delivered the seasonal joy I hoped it would.

I think it's because I don’t really want more stuff or flashy experiences. I want whimsy — that cozy, glowing, heart-grew-three-sizes feeling that's so much easier to come by when you're young.

Is it possible to reclaim our whimsy while taking it easy on the ‘ole bank account? I think so, and I'm putting my theory to the test.

What's whimsy-maxxing got to do with it?

Turns out the internet invented a word for what I’m describing: whimsy-maxxing. There's more than one definition out there, but at its core whimsy-maxxing is the infusion of silliness, imagination and play in situations that would usually be low on all three.

Like many internet trends, whimsy-maxxing skewed a little consumeristic as it gathered speed. People tried to buy whimsy on Amazon so they could plaster the aesthetic on Instagram. (That’s “landfill-maxxing,” also according to the internet.)

I want to take it in the opposite direction.

I think whimsy can be created on the cheap. In fact, I believe the most whimsical experiences are the result of spending as little as possible.

Want more whimsy? Mine your memories

As a kid, my favourite ornaments were these chunky, hand-painted, cookie-like things. I remember a candle, a star and a candy cane. They were brightly coloured and had this puffed-up cartoonish look that fascinated me.

I know now that these were salt dough ornaments: my parents made them because they couldn't afford store-bought baubles.

Did I care? Nope. To my kiddie eyes, they were gorgeous (and I never got scolded for poking at them on the tree).

The delight I felt just thinking about those lumpy little ornaments made me realize: Whimsy-maxxing as a mindset help us spend less during the holidays without feeling like we’re missing out.

So here’s what I'm going to do.

I'll plan a holiday that prioritizes moments of delight, using things I already have (or can get on the cheap), and see if it delivers on the whimsy (and savings) I'm after.

5 ways I'm putting whimsy on the calendar this holiday

1. ❄️ Decorate like it's a school snow day

How I'll do it:

We'll spend time making construction-paper chains, scrap-paper snowflakes, clothespin reindeer, popcorn garland (and maybe even salt dough ornaments) and then spread them around the house. Anyone who wears seasonal pyjamas while crafting gets bonus points!

What makes it whimsical:

Decorating becomes an evening of nostalgic, imperfect play instead of a chore.

How it saves money:

We get the feeling of “new” decor with a budget of tens of dollars instead of hundreds.

2. 🎄 Host a clandestine holiday lights contest

How I'll do it:

Visit our town's most highly decorated neighbourhood on foot and hand out verbal awards for things like “Most Enthusiastic Reindeer,” "Most Dramatic Inflatable" or “Most Likely to be Visible From Space.”

What makes it whimsical:

An ordinary walk becomes a silly mission. We bundle up in hats and scarves and bring warm drinks in thermos mugs.

How it saves money:

We get outside to enjoy festive displays without the admission cost, crowds or concession spending of public events.

3. 📬 Take a potpourri approach to the holiday mailing list

How I'll do it:

Scour the thrift stores and dollar stores for holiday cards or other low-cost stationary. Note paper, post cards, pop-up cards: doesn't matter if they match or if they're from this decade.

What makes it whimsical:

Rather than just shoving a stack of 85 identical cards in envelopes and calling it a day, I'll take the time to sift through the pile and match each random card to the person who' might'll like it best. And (gasp!) I'll handwrite an actual greeting inside.

How it saves money:

The past few years, I spent upwards of $150 to print Shutterfly photo cards. And that's before I buy all the stamps.

4. 🎁 Make finding the gift part of the gift

How I'll do it:

Hide a single, in-budget (or homemade!) gift and put it anywhere but under the tree. Then, write three ridiculous clues leading to it so the recipient has to go on a quest before they can open it.

What makes it whimsical:

The scavenger hunt adds mystery, anticipation, extends the joyful moment, and creates a shared story we can talk about for years to come ("remember when Beth hid my socks in the dishwasher?!").

How it saves money:

One gift feels like a much bigger occasion, reducing the temptation to add little extras.

5. ☃️ Throw a holiday gathering with a plot twist

How I'll do it:

This will be our third year throwing a holly jolly movie night. Outdoors. In the middle of December. No fancy projector — we drag the TV out onto the porch. We wear full snow gear, pile blankets on the patio furniture, and anyone who has a portable fire pit brings it. We have cocoa, hot toddies and roast marshmallows.

What makes it whimsical:

Half the fun is enthusiastic participation — we like to make it interesting with movie-themed bingo — and the other half is just trying to keep your fingers and toes warm!

How it saves money:

We get to gather with friends in a festive way that isn’t an expensive restaurant gathering, gift exchange or elaborate party.

You don't have to be a Grinch to penny-pinch

I'm honestly excited about these plans. Yes, we decided to cut back on spending this year, which is great. Very adult of us.

But we're not cutting back on joy. In fact, we're being intentional about making sure there are still lots of moments to look forward to.

Want to try this with me? Pick one holiday habit that doesn't live up to the expense, and swap it for a little homemade whimsy. Use what you have, set a limit for any extras, and invite your family and friends to get in on the whimsy-maxxing action.