You might be wondering, “This mom wants to give up Christmas? With four kids? The holiday celebrating Jesus’ birth, peace, and joy? Really?” Oh yes, that’s exactly what I mean. I am absolutely finished—specifically with how we moms navigate the holiday season.
Christmas has morphed into something entirely different; it’s no longer about honoring the birth of our Savior. There’s no longer a Silent Night or a peaceful moment for Merry Gentlemen. Instead, the next 30 days will be filled with the jolly spirit that looks something like this:
- Family Holiday Photos: If it’s anything like my family, the most successful holiday card photo was the one where all my kids were sound asleep. Getting four boys and one adult male to dress up, smile, and hold still? Impossible. It would take a miracle—or a bottle of sedatives for the kids—just to get one decent shot together. One year, I managed one good photo amidst a sea of chaos. After 59 attempts filled with goofy faces and tantrums, I finally snapped a perfect shot when they were momentarily stunned into silence. This year? I’m considering just using their generic school photos glued onto some festive construction paper. Honestly, it’s what they deserve after years of non-cooperation.
- The Annual Christmas Letter: Everyone seems to send out these lengthy, detailed family updates. You know, the ones that make you feel like you’re a failure because your life doesn’t match up? “Johnny got his green belt! Katie swam solo! Our kids are ALL STARS!” I’m tempted to write a genuine one: “Dear friends and family, this year nobody got promoted or won awards. My husband is a dedicated worker, while my four boys have wreaked havoc on everything I own. I pick up dirty laundry all day long. But they are healthy and generally polite, and they put up with me. Merry Christmas from the Thompsons!”
- Decorating: Thanks to Pinterest, I now feel inadequate about holiday décor. I stopped decorating the tree myself years ago after a boy-related disaster. Instead, I let the kids go wild with the ornaments, which usually ends up being a bottom-heavy tree. Last year, after finally getting it all set up, the tree toppled over. I didn’t even flinch; I just cleaned it up and went to bed, knowing I’d have to rig it to the wall this year before bringing out the ornaments.
- Holiday Gatherings: Bring a dish to share, an ornament to swap, a gift to exchange—where do all these parties come from? I used to host a cookie swap, but it became too much stress for everyone involved. Still, I can’t seem to say no to others’ holiday invites, and soon my calendar is bursting. What should be enjoyable turns into more work. I’m officially declaring a moratorium on holiday gatherings for this season!
- Christmas Plays: In my pre-kids days, I imagined how cute it would be to see my little ones in Christmas plays. However, that dream quickly turned into a nightmare of sewing costumes and rehearsing lines. Now, I just let my boys be themselves during the plays—messing up the lines and having a blast. This year, I’ll just sit back and enjoy their performances instead of stressing over the details.
- Toy Assembly: Ah, the joys of Christmas Eve toy assembly! My husband and I have had our share of late-night arguments over unassembled toys. Despite my efforts to hide gifts early, he always waits until the last minute to tackle them. I’m convinced that if I had to teach a pre-marital counseling course, I’d only need one exercise: assembling toys at 3 a.m. with a screaming baby nearby. Every year, I swear it’ll be the last, but when the kids run out to see their gifts on Christmas morning, it all seems worth it.
In conclusion, the holiday season has become a whirlwind of chaos that often overshadows the true meaning of Christmas. I’m ready to simplify things and focus on what truly matters: family and the joy of being together, even amidst the chaos. For more tips on navigating the holiday season and related topics, check out this resource and this article.