29: Sustainable Holidays with Kids — Minimalism, Presence, and Doing Less with Stephanie Seferian Artwork

Sustainable in the Suburbs

Want to waste less, save money, and make your home a little more eco-friendly? Sustainable in the Suburbs is your go-to podcast for practical, judgment-free tips and real-life stories to help you build sustainable habits that actually stick.

Hosted by Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a suburban soccer mum, sustainability educator, and founder of the blog Sustainable in the Suburbs — this weekly show brings doable advice, honest conversations, and actionable ideas to help you waste less, spend smarter, and live more sustainably at home.

Because sustainable living doesn’t have to be perfect to matter — and you don’t have to do it all to make a big impact.

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Sustainable in the Suburbs

29: Sustainable Holidays with Kids — Minimalism, Presence, and Doing Less with Stephanie Seferian

December 02, 2025 • Sarah Robertson-Barnes • Episode 29

If the holidays seem to get louder and more overwhelming every year, you’re not imagining it. From endless ads to the pressure to make everything “magical,” it’s easy to get swept into a season that feels more stressful than joyful. And for parents trying to have a more sustainable holiday with kids, the noise can make it hard to stay grounded in what really matters.

This week, I’m joined by Stephanie Seferian, host of the Sustainable Minimalists podcast and author of Sustainable Minimalism. Stephanie brings such a thoughtful, grounded perspective to what it means to step back from the holiday frenzy and reclaim a season rooted in connection rather than consumption.

We talk about why less often feels harder than more, how cultural messaging around holiday magic drives emotional spending, and what it looks like to model enoughness for our kids. Stephanie also shares practical ideas for secondhand gifts, simple homemade traditions, and creating a mindful holiday season that actually feels good.

Takeaways

How “holiday magic” messaging fuels emotional and impulse spending
What ‘doomspending’ is and why its amplified at this time of year
How holiday marketing shapes our expectations and buying habits
Secondhand gifts, swaps, and other simple alternatives to buying new
Modeling “enough” for kids in a season of big expectations
Setting boundaries around marketing, comparison, and the mental load
Slowing down with the season instead of speeding up
Creating simple, sustainable holiday traditions that feel good

One Small Shift

Stephanie suggests buying for fewer people. A smaller list means less pressure, less waste, and more room for the parts of the holidays that actually matter.

Connect With Stephanie

Instagram

Website

Substack

Sustainable Minimalism (book)

Sustainable Minimalists (podcast)

Resources

Sustainability in the Suburbs (Sustainable Minimalists podcast)

Is It Okay To Give Secondhand Gifts (episode & blog post)

How to Stop Shopping on Amazon (blog post)

6 Recipes for Gifts in a Jar (blog post)

Connect With Me

Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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