With just a few days left to go until Christmas, many parents will likely be getting everything ready for the big day and picking up any last-minute presents for kids or other members of the family.
But one mum has shown a slightly different approach to Christmas gift-giving this year in a bid to stop her home from getting too cluttered up with toys and other things that rarely get used.
Alexandra LaPointe, 28, has been spreading the idea in her family and friends of gifting activities or money for the kids' birthdays and has decided to continue doing the same this Christmas. The house-proud mum says this different method has allowed her family to make new memories together and spend quality time together without the hassle of stashing away unwanted gifts and toys.
Alexandra, from Indianapolis, USA, explained: "It all started because of clutter and over stimulation. Since I became a stay at home mum and am in the house more instead of out working, I just think that everything overwhelms me more, and also with two little kids.
"I have been decluttering everything throughout the house and trying to simplify the home."
The mum is hopeful that this approach to gift-giving will help her children in later life by giving them a little stash of money to save up for something special, and it could also stop them from being overly focused on material possessions.
She continued: "I for sure think that less is more when it comes to kiddos, for adults too, but for them, I think it helps them to have less toys out. And then I also like having experiences and making memories with them.
"I love it. I think mostly because they're also pandemic babies. We were stuck in the house for so long and if we get a chance to go and do an activity together, it's so fun living through their eyes, they love it and get so excited."
Alexandra, a former professional organiser, posts regularly on TikTok to keep her 46,500 followers updated on her less is more approach to life.
While she has received some backlash for her approach from those who say she cannot control what others do with their money, a lot of the comments are very positive.
She hopes this will empower other mums to ask for things they might actually need like nappies or medical supplies rather than unwanted toys for their kids.
When she first tried this at Christmas last year it was well received by the rest of the family and they were even gifted a zoo membership which they have enjoyed using.
Alexandra has noticed that this type of gift-giving has started to spread to other mums.
She added: "Some positive comments have been that mums feel encouraged to ask for things that they actually need. For one mum, her kiddo needs medical equipment, a wheelchair and other items, and she was like 'I'd rather my family gift me money to help buy this expensive medical equipment than be given toys that he's not really going to play with'.
"One of my friends said 'what I really need for Christmas are diapers, groceries are expensive' and that makes so much sense to me.
"I love that they're feeling empowered to set boundaries and ask for what they want and need, instead of just going with the flow because someone told them that they have to need toys."
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