Downsizing our home and lives has given me the chance to reflect on family and friends holiday traditions. While some traditions have naturally come to an end because of age and distance (a warm goodbye, St. Nick), new ones have emerged. I’ve enjoyed the research, creativity and simplicity these new traditions have brought, all while continuing my Silverish Simplicity practice of “light and variable.”

These practices have embraced a “take your time” approach allowing me to reflect, give with intention and celebrate meaningfully with family and friends.

Here are some of the learnings and highlights:

Precious Treasures Passed On – This year marks the fifth, and possibly final, year of passing down memorable keepsakes to my four children through holiday sorting and decorating and a family dice game. The treasures I’ve discovered while downsizing range from the silly to the significant — family games, formal silver service items from grandparents and cherished Christmas ornaments. Each item has meant enough to be intentional and not throw away, recycle, sell or donate — and they’ve triggered laughter and storytelling.

I also saw and seized a timely opportunity to include a significant regift with a client and friend, along with a small indulgence (more on that next). The item was a meaningful memento from a shared connection, and I hoped the message on it would resonate with her, given her current circumstance and the person who gifted it to me. It did! I received a note of appreciation about the meaningful gift.

Each piece, while used or regifted, falls into the category of precious treasures and has brought me simple joy as they leave my life.

... THey've triggered Laughter and Storytelling ...

Little Lovelies Under the Tree – My earliest memories of gift-giving, outside of an annual gift exchange with my three brothers and two sisters, were Secret Santa games with high school friends, college dorm mates, and work colleagues. Decades later, I recall the simplicity of those small gifts — used and enjoyed without concern for storage or excess.

Over time, gift-giving blossomed without warning to a more mature tradition with “small indulgences” like holiday ornaments, candles, candies, eventually leading to considerable gifts in terms of expense and storage. Today, however, I’ve returned to a simpler, more nostalgic approach — gifts that are small, useable, and full of cheer.

Gift ideas, which come into my life through travel or experiences, are now what I call my “little lovelies.” Spoiler alert: I’ve included a few from this holiday season below.

• Peeler Discovered in Switzerland Airbnb
• Candy Cane Lip Mask
• Holiday Coasters
• Frango Mints

While I may no longer be a grand gift-giver during the holidays, I hope family and friends enjoy these small tokens of affection, each given with personal meaning, and they find use for them in their lives. I look forward to my ongoing “little lovelies” research for the next holiday season.

Silverish Simplicity Links

• Pass the Present Printable
• An Etiquette Guide to Regifting
• The Minimalist Gift-Giving Trend that Will Make Your Holiday Season More Meaningful (and Less Wasteful)