Our Family's Minimalist Christmas Tree, Decor, Gifts & Traditions

Tree in a vase

My mom cut some redwood branches from the trees in their backyard and put them in a little vase. I think it's perfect. We strung some lights on it and hung a few ornaments we had. I can put the gifts up high so the baby can't get into them. 

Mini trees

The other thing I bought, which I'm not one to go out and buy Christmas decor, was little mini trees. They're the cutest things ever. They were in the dollar section; they're ceramic and so cute. If they don't break, I'll use them year after year. 

Wood tree

The third tree I bought was a wooden one from Target. I just thought it was so unique, so I paired it on the counter with two other little trees and a little bit of the excess redwood tree branches, and it just looks adorable. 

Natural garland

The other decor I have is a really cute orange garland that my mom made me. She baked some oranges in the oven and then put them on some string, which just looked charming.

I also made a little felt garland with reds and greens for Christmas colors. These are all things that are handmade and special, and unique. 

Stockings

I put our little stockings up with some command strips, and it's a 

perfect little Christmas area. 

That's it for my minimalist decor, besides a little mini tree night light that I bring out and put in the bathroom. 

Zion's Christmas

I'm excited to show you guys what I got Zion for his first Christmas.

As the years go on, my husband and I will solidify what we want to do for our kids for Christmas gifts. I know for sure I don't want to have the focus of the season just be on the gifts, but I do want to give them things that are both educational and intentional gifts. 

This year for Zion, I filled a stocking with practical things. Next year as he gets older and as we add on to our family we think we'll do a stocking, mostly just practical, small things, then do one or two kinds of bigger gifts they can open under the tree. 

Then what I want to do is focus on experiences every year. While giving gifts is important and it makes a child feel loved, they'll remember the experiences you have as a family.

We can do something like a trip as a family maybe the following year. It could be significant, like going overseas somewhere, or small, like going to the aquarium or Disneyland. 

Let me tell you what I got Zion for his stocking. First, I got him little Mushie finger toothbrushes. I just thought they were so cute and something practical. He's starting to get teeth, which helps them get used to brushing. 

The next thing is some Mushie spoons. He has two spoons already, but I'm always looking for them so just having a few extra ones is excellent, especially now that he's eating a lot more solids. 

The next thing I got him was just some Burt's Bees pajamas. They have little bunny rabbits on them. So cute. 

I got him some socks and stockings from Little Stocking Co. They're super cute cable-knit ones. I like buying neutral things because I can use them for a boy or girl. 

Then I bought him little balloon romper things. I've seen many people use these with high socks, and it just looks so cute on babies. Again, you can use them for a boy and a girl. 

Lastly, I was at an antique store in my town and found a cute little wooden cup. 

I wanted to buy it with the purpose of something that he can learn to drink out of cups. It's just so stinking cute. 

That's everything that I got him. He's nine months old, and he's not going to remember any of this, but I still just wanted to get him a few small practical things he can wear and use throughout the year.

As far as toys and stuff, I didn't personally get him any of that just because I knew that a lot of family members had reached out asking what they could get him. I sent them ideas about toys and different things.

Minimalist Christmas

So that is my minimalist Christmas. We've kept the decor and gifts simple because we have a baby, so minimalism works very well for us. What traditions do you have for your kids at Christmas? Comment below to share what you do for your family each year!