The Year We Stopped Buying Christmas Presents
(โ€ฆAnd What We Do Instead)

And Why So Many Of Our Workshop Guests Now Do The Same

Christmas in our house looks a little different these days.

There are no piles of presents under the tree from me and Dave.
No last-minute panic buying.
No buying just for the sake of buying.

And honestly?
Itโ€™s one of the best decisions weโ€™ve ever made.

Why We Stopped Gifting โ€œStuffโ€

Years ago, gifting used to feel stressful.
And some presentsโ€ฆ wellโ€ฆ they werenโ€™t exactly winners.

One year Dave bought me a spade and fork.
A proper heavy-duty set.
Lovely in theory โ€” except I was heavily pregnant and couldnโ€™t lift them, never mind use them.

We still laugh about it now, but it was the seed of a bigger question:
Why are we buying things that donโ€™t truly mean anything?

Something had to change.

What We Do Now

We decided:

No Christmas presents for each other.
None.

Instead, we save a small amount every month into a shared pot and use it for experiences.
Time together.
Moments weโ€™ll actually remember.
Days that feel intentional โ€” not stressful.

And it has genuinely transformed how we experience Christmas.

We Now Do This With My Best Friends Too

This approach worked so well that I shared it with my closest friends.
We all agreed:
No presents. Just time together. Doing something we love.

Itโ€™s become our tradition too โ€” one we look forward to every year.

Weโ€™re Not The Only Ones Choosing Experiences Over Giftsโ€ฆ

So many people whoโ€™ve joined our workshops this year share the same mindset:
Less โ€œstuffโ€, more moments.

Couples Choosing Time Together

A day without rushing, without phones, without pressure โ€” just making something meaningful side by side.

Siblings Reconnecting In A Way They Havenโ€™t For Years

A whole day to chat, laugh, create and be together without life pulling them in different directions.

Friends Swapping Gifts For Memory-Making Days

A chance to slow down, try something new and spend quality time they wouldn’t normally carve out.

Why Our No-present Rule Actually Works

  • We stick to it
  • We both agree fully
  • We spend money on memories instead of things

It takes away the pressure and brings back the joy.

This Is Our New Christmas Tradition

That little monthly savings pot has given us:

  • Days out
  • Creative workshops
  • Nights away
  • Family experiences
  • New memories weโ€™ll never forget

Everything we actually want from Christmas.

If Youโ€™re Craving A Different Kind Of Christmasโ€ฆ

Maybe this is your sign to try it too.
To shift from gifting things to gifting time.
To choose connection over clutter.

If this resonates, our 2026 workshop dates and experience gift vouchers are ready for you.

Experiences, not things
ย Connection, not clutter
ย Memories that last

Give the gift of time together. Check out our 2026 workshops and gift vouchers.ย 

The Year We Stopped Buying Christmas Presents
(โ€ฆAnd What We Do Instead)

And Why So Many Of Our Workshop Guests Now Do The Same

Christmas in our house looks a little different these days.

There are no piles of presents under the tree from me and Dave.
No last-minute panic buying.
No buying just for the sake of buying.

And honestly?
Itโ€™s one of the best decisions weโ€™ve ever made.

Why We Stopped Gifting โ€œStuffโ€

Years ago, gifting used to feel stressful.
And some presentsโ€ฆ wellโ€ฆ they werenโ€™t exactly winners.

One year Dave bought me a spade and fork.
A proper heavy-duty set.
Lovely in theory โ€” except I was heavily pregnant and couldnโ€™t lift them, never mind use them.

We still laugh about it now, but it was the seed of a bigger question:
Why are we buying things that donโ€™t truly mean anything?

Something had to change.

Emma and Dave enjoying a shared experience together, reflecting their tradition of choosing moments over material Christmas gifts.

What We Do Now

We decided:

No Christmas presents for each other.
None.

Instead, we save a small amount every month into a shared pot and use it for experiences.
Time together.
Moments weโ€™ll actually remember.
Days that feel intentional โ€” not stressful.

And it has genuinely transformed how we experience Christmas.

Emma and Sarah in Lisbon.

We Now Do This With My Best Friends Too

This approach worked so well that I shared it with my closest friends.
We all agreed:
No presents. Just time together. Doing something we love.

Itโ€™s become our tradition too โ€” one we look forward to every year.

A couple together during an upholstery workshop, choosing fabrics and assembling their project side by side.

Weโ€™re Not The Only Ones Choosing Experiences Over Giftsโ€ฆ

So many people whoโ€™ve joined our workshops this year share the same mindset:
Less โ€œstuffโ€, more moments.

Couples Choosing Time Together

A day without rushing, without phones, without pressure โ€” just making something meaningful side by side.

Tori and Claire sisters taking part in a creative workshop, chatting and supporting each other while crafting their pieces.

Siblings Reconnecting In A Way They Havenโ€™t For Years

A whole day to chat, laugh, create and be together without life pulling them in different directions.

A group of friends enjoying a creative workshop experience, making their projects and sharing a relaxed, meaningful day together.

Friends Swapping Gifts For Memory-Making Days

A chance to slow down, try something new and spend quality time they wouldn’t normally carve out.

Why Our No-present Rule Actually Works

  • We stick to it
  • We both agree fully
  • We spend money on memories instead of things

It takes away the pressure and brings back the joy.

This Is Our New Christmas Tradition

That little monthly savings pot has given us:

  • Days out
  • Creative workshops
  • Nights away
  • Family experiences
  • New memories weโ€™ll never forget

Everything we actually want from Christmas.

If Youโ€™re Craving A Different Kind Of Christmasโ€ฆ

Maybe this is your sign to try it too.
To shift from gifting things to gifting time.
To choose connection over clutter.

If this resonates, our 2026 workshop dates and experience gift vouchers are ready for you.

Experiences, not things
Connection, not clutter
Memories that last

Give the gift of time together. Check out our 2026 workshops and gift vouchers.

ยฉ Semper Hopkins Upholstery & Interiors Ltd. | Registered office: 95 Cinderhill Lane, Scholar Green, Stoke-on-trent, Cheshire, ST7 3HR | Company number: 10256862
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