Some people seem to juggle everything during the holiday season effortlessly, but I’m not one of them. I truly give it my all because I adore this time of year. If you can imagine Martha Stewart and Buddy the Elf having a child, that would be me! From decorating to baking and blasting holiday tunes starting on Halloween, I dive into the festivities with passion. But through trial and error, I’ve learned that attempting to do it all can drain the joy right out of the season. So, I choose to focus my energy on the things that genuinely matter and bring my family joy, steering clear of unnecessary stress.
Holidays are meant for gratitude and togetherness, not for feeling overwhelmed. To ensure we savor these moments, I’ve established new traditions that allow me to indulge in cozy Hallmark movies while sipping straight from the eggnog carton—far better than crying in the bathroom over burnt cookies!
A few years back, the women in my family made a collective decision to stop exchanging gifts. With our families growing and the number of nieces and nephews multiplying, the pressure became too much. Instead of the usual gift hunt, we now enjoy quality time together. We often have a lovely dinner out—just the ladies—where nobody has to lift a finger to cook or clean. I also host a cookie swap where store-bought cookies are more than welcome, and we fill the room with laughter as we sing and dance. You’ve never truly experienced the holiday spirit until you’ve seen our rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas”—we could give the Rockettes a run for their money!
With the time and money saved from not buying each other gifts, we’re able to do more meaningful things. Taking my kids to the local country store to pick a name from the Angel Tree has been a cherished tradition for nearly a decade, instilling gratitude in them like nothing else. We donate holiday dinners to the food bank, send a generous contribution to St. Jude, treat the people behind us in the drive-thru, and my personal favorite: surprising someone we know with a gift they’ll love. One year, a sweet woman at our favorite burger joint admired a bracelet I wore, so I bought her one and eagerly awaited the chance to gift it to her—made it just in time before Thanksgiving!
We’ve also dropped some traditions that felt more burdensome, such as sending out holiday cards. While many find joy in this tradition, for me, it became a stressful task I decided to let go of. It’s perfectly fine to alter or abandon traditions that no longer bring happiness or suit your family’s needs.
During the holidays, I want to soak up every moment. I want to drive around in pajamas sipping cocoa while admiring the Christmas lights. I look forward to creating a delightful mess in the kitchen with my kids, making cookies that might not look perfect but are filled with love. I know there will be goofy moments—like my son giving his gingerbread man some rather unusual decorations—and I embrace every bit of it.
I enjoy exploring Pinterest for fun holiday project ideas, knowing that it’s okay if I don’t complete them all. Much of the joy comes from dreaming about what could be. While I appreciate a good holiday party, sometimes the best moments happen at home, nestled next to the Christmas tree with my kids asleep and my dogs at my feet.
True magic is often found in the quiet moments—the smell of cookies baking in the kitchen, the smile from a stranger after a kind gesture, or the nostalgia of seeing my aunt sing carols with my son, just as she did with me years ago. I can’t appreciate these precious moments if I’m racing through the season trying to buy meaningless gifts for those who already have everything. So, I choose to embrace the holiday spirit at my own pace, celebrating how I see fit.
Letting go of the unnecessary to make space for what truly matters is the best gift you can give yourself and your family. Trust me on that one.