Cultivating Gratitude: A Mindful Approach To Holiday Spending And Celebrations
As the crisp autumn air settles in and Thanksgiving approaches, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of expectations, expenses, and overwhelming feelings of obligation. With so much pressure to spend our time and money, here at Mana we’ve started wondering, “what if we could transform this season into a genuine celebration of gratitude—one that enriches our hearts without draining our emotional reserves and emptying our wallets”? This blog post is an exploration of how we might begin doing that.
The True Currency of the Season: Appreciation
Thanksgiving isn't just about the perfectly roasted turkey or the meticulously decorated table. It's a moment to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate the abundance already present in our lives. The same goes for Christmas- we’d all rather have more loved ones around us than gifts under the tree. Financial mindfulness during this time isn't about being miserly; it's about being intentional and grateful for what we have. Focusing on meaningful experiences and opportunities to enrich the lives of others, rather than mindlessly giving and receiving, should be our focus.
Redefining Value Beyond Price Tags
Think about the most memorable holiday moments from your past. Chances are, they don't involve expensive gifts or lavish spreads. More likely, they're memories of laughter shared around the table, heartfelt conversations, or the beautiful traditions that connect you to loved ones. While you still need to properly budget and spend to achieve these things, remember to prioritize the creation of those memories over less important elements. How can you continue to deepen family traditions? How can you celebrate your friends’ love? What will truly make the season special?
Practical Gratitude in Action
Here are some ways to practice mindfulness and deep appreciation this holiday season:
Gratitude Potluck: Instead of having a single host bear the entire cost (financial, mental, and physical!) of preparing a holiday meal, you can try inviting everyone to bring a dish. Potlucks aren’t just a budget-friendly strategy—they can be an opportunity for your guests to share something meaningful. Each dish becomes a story, a memory, a piece of personal history brought to the communal table.
Experience Over Expenses: Consider replacing traditional gifts with shared experiences. A family game night, a walk in nature, or creating a photo album of memories can be far more valuable than any store-bought present. These moments create connections that last far beyond the holiday season. This year, one of our team members organized a virtual chocolate tasting for their family the day after Christmas, which will be a super fun way to spend time together learning and enjoying delicious treats.
Honest Conversations: Practice the vulnerability of discussing financial, time, and emotional boundaries with your loved ones. Do this early, before the demands of the season really kick in. Sharing your commitment to mindful living is an act of respect for yourself and others. You also might just be surprised how many people feel relieved when someone else initiates this conversation!
Technology as a Tool of Gratitude
While it might seem counterintuitive, technology can actually be a powerful ally in practicing mindfulness:
Use budgeting apps to track your spending, and build in strategic appreciation for money saved and targets being met.
Check for things like cashback programs and offers you can add to existing credit cards that can help you save while shopping for necessities or thoughtful gifts.
Create digital photo albums or memory books that cost nothing but time and love.
Hop on a video call with loved ones that you can’t connect with in person.
Saving money, time, and stress is an investment in your future peace of mind. The ROI on small decisions can be big and cumulative. By setting clear boundaries and being intentional, you're giving yourself the most valuable gift: personal security, reduced stress, peace of mind and opportunities for gratitude.
A Small Meditation
As we enter the holiday season, we encourage everyone to take a moment, reflect, and list three things you're genuinely thankful for. Perhaps it's your health, a supportive relationship, your career, or a personal achievement. As you consider these things, remember what it took to get you there. As you continue to reflect, remind yourself that no time in your life (even the holidays) will be perfect. Embracing and existing in this imperfection- and even being grateful for what it teaches you- will help you thrive. Some of the most treasured memories are born from unexpected moments and heartfelt gestures in times of uncertainty and struggle.
Closing Thoughts
As you navigate the upcoming holidays, let gratitude be your compass. Approach spending your energy, money and time with intention, prioritize experiences over objects, and remember that the most precious gifts can't be purchased—they're shared, remembered, and cherished.
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Madison Elliott is a UX Researcher at Google. Madison leads data engineering and usability at Mana Financial Life Design (FLD). Mana FLD provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to help clients grow and protect their wealth throughout life’s journey. Mana FLD specializes in advising ambitious professionals who seek financial knowledge and want to implement creative budgeting, savings, proactive planning and powerful investment strategies. Madison brings her combined background in cognitive science, computer science and clinical psychology with her professional UX design and engineering experience to optimize workflows at Mana FLD and improve people’s lives.