Christmas is still Christmas without all the stuff

I like nice stuff as much as the next person, but with Christmas already flaunting its baubles and the Black Friday sweats creeping in, I’m thinking twice.

I’m not out to kill Christmas – I love it! I’d just enjoy it more without the paraphernalia most of us no longer want or need and the inevitable purge that follows our overindulgence.

If you are anything like me, an armful of well-meaning but needless stuff is about as welcome as the flu. Does it come from a good place? Absolutely. We’re a nation of givers and feeders. In fact, if you haven’t already heard ‘ah go on, sure it’s Christmas’, it’s only a matter of time before the catch-all phrase goes on repeat.

But here’s the thing: eating, drinking and giving in moderation doesn’t mean a lesser Christmas. I’ve already decided it’s okay to bypass the madness. I won’t be spending my weekends queuing or preparing mountains of food no one will eat. And the good news is I will go back to work rested and happy. Not broke and exhausted.

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I’m going to spend the run-up to Christmas seeking out the incredible food we have on our doorstep and the people who put their heart and soul into producing it. For me, two of the highlights of my Christmas are hearing the story of these producers and the joy of sharing real Irish food with family and friends.

Christmas isn’t the time to go purist. I won’t be bending anyone’s ear about sustainable sprouts or checking the carbon footprint of their chipolatas, but I am going to dial down the stress, keep my shopping trolley in check and with any luck, avoid the need for going cold turkey come January.

Grainne Kelliher is chief executive of Airfield Estate, the 38-acre urban farm and food destination in Dundrum, Dublin. airfield.ie