I am currently in Australia visiting my family.
I love coming at this time of year — not only because it gives me a break from Seattle’s cold, rainy autumn, but also because November usually sits just before the Christmas rush. Being here has often meant a couple of quiet weeks without the onslaught of holiday advertising that begins far too early at home in the U.S.
But this year, even Australia hasn’t escaped it. Black Friday has arrived with force, and many stores now push “deals” all through November. Consumer confidence has even become a newsworthy topic as Australia, like many modern societies, increasingly values people more for what they consume than for who they are, especially at this time of year.
Ethical consumption seems not only harder these days, but also more complex. When I first began paying attention to what I bought and how it shaped the world around me, the adage “Live more simply so that others might simply live” felt like a solid guide. Ethical consumption mostly meant buying less and avoiding products connected to guns, tobacco, or slave labor.
Now the list feels overwhelming. Our concerns have expanded:
Not just where something was made, but with what materials.
Not just who made it, but how far it traveled.
Labels like ethically sourced, locally sourced, fair trade, antibiotic-free, GMO-free, BPA-free, pesticide-free, and carbon footprint appear everywhere. Ethical consumption now includes concerns about the environment, deforestation, pesticides, fossil fuels, and microplastics—woven into everything from cosmetics to clothing.
Simplicity and ethical consumption, we’re discovering, aren’t simple at all. Maybe they never were. We’re just more aware now.
Living this way is revolutionary and countercultural. It takes commitment and intentionality. It takes perseverance and honesty. It takes community and a genuine concern for others — especially those at the margins. And it takes time, which always seems scarce, especially as Christmas approaches.
None of us can fully escape the consumerism of Christmas or the ethical decisions it forces on us. Decorations have been up for weeks. Holiday movies are everywhere. Gift catalogues pile up. Ads flash across our screens insisting that we need more — and that now is the time to buy it.
Most of us find ourselves in a real bind this time of year.
Do we have a gift-free Christmas and reject consumerism altogether?
Do we buy only fair-trade, slave-free, or locally made items and hope our choices make a difference?
Or do we grow quietly judgmental and walk away from the secular celebrations, parties, festivals, and shopping trips altogether?
If we’re honest, most of us struggle to hold these tensions and aren’t quite sure how to enter the true spirit of Christmas without disappointing our kids — or denying our own enjoyment of treats, traditions, and the delight of an unexpected present.
“Simplify Christmas, Celebrate Christ,” we tell ourselves… while secretly hoping a new iPhone might still show up under the tree.
For many of us, simplifying Christmas becomes a kind of compromise: trying not to ignore ethical concerns while still celebrating the birth of Christ more than the materialistic spirit of the season.
Here are a few suggestions to reflect on before the season gets into full swing:
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Talk with your family and friends about the coming season. Share your struggles with simplicity, sustainability, and ethics. Explore how you might give in ways that feel joyful without crossing those boundaries.
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Give the gift of reflection. Consider a spiritual retreat for yourself, your spouse, or a close friend to help focus on the deeper meaning of the season.
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Pay more for less. Ethically produced products often cost more, but they’re usually worth it when we know the makers and growers are compensated fairly. Tom and I love giving gifts and can’t imagine eliminating them entirely, but we do limit them and try to buy local or fair trade. A friend of mine receives monthly coffee from Camano Island Coffee Roasters, which partners with Agros to support communities in Central America. Many stores offer fair trade gifts — from clothing to soccer balls.
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Consider homemade gifts. Knitting, art, baking, writing—handmade gifts are meaningful and increasingly popular. Maybe even host a gift-making party.
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Visit local artisan Christmas markets. Don’t just buy a gift — meet the person who made it.
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Explore charitable alternative gifts that provide animals, tools, or training to help communities build sustainable livelihoods.
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Plant a tree (or several) for every one you cut down for Christmas décor at home or work.
There are so many ways to enter the spirit of Christmas without losing the joy and fun of giving. I hope the season ahead leaves you with a deep sense of joy and satisfaction because of the choices you make.
A Prayer
God almighty, Creator of all,
who gifts us with everything we need to flourish,
help us to live simply.
Teach us to place our lives and possessions in your hands.
As we approach the season of Christmas,
encourage us to unclutter our closets and our homes,
for we have too much
that distracts us from your presence.
Help us to unclutter our calendars,
for we are often too busy
to turn our attention toward you and your priorities.
Guide us to unclutter our minds,
to turn away from the distractions
that fill us with the desire for more.
Grant us wisdom in how we spend,
and clarity in where our money goes.
Lead us toward the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ—
the only gift that truly matters.
Amen.
Christine Aroney-Sine is a contemplative activist, passionate gardener, and author. She loves inspiring Jesus followers to dig in the dirt, laugh, and have fun creating spiritual practices that intertwine the sacred through all of life. She’s the founder and facilitator for the popular contemplative blog godspacelight.com, and her most recent book is The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God.
