10 ways to simplify Christmas—and embrace the joy—this year

5. Limit your commitments so you can focus on family time. ✨
Table of Contents
- Here are 10 things to remember this Christmas:
- 1. Keep decorations simple.
- 2. Make and keep your Christmas budget.
- 3. Clear out your kid’s toys before Christmas.
- 4. Make gifts intentional and meaningful.
- 5. Limit your commitments so you can focus on family time.
- 6. Choose one (yes, ONE) holiday tradition to really commit to.
- 7. Let go of the “perfect Christmas dinner” pressure.
- 8. Build in downtime (yes, actually schedule it).
- 9. Give yourself permission to skip the things that drain you.
- 10. Remember that your kids experience Christmas differently than you do.
What feeling washes over you when you think of your childhood Christmases?
For me, it’s that fluttery feeling I’d get in my stomach on Christmas eve. I can feel the cold pillow against my face as I lay there in bed—waiting. Then I’d blink and Christmas morning would be there, just like that.
It felt like magic.
As a kid, Christmas truly was all joy—zero stress. As an adult, I’d be lying if I said Christmas is just as fun. Don’t get me wrong, I still get a bit giddy on Christmas eve. (I’m not dead inside, for goodness sake). It’s just different. As adults, Christmas comes with both joy and stressors.
If we aren’t intentional, the holidays can take over our lives, our homes, our schedules and our bank accounts. The good news is, we have the power to choose our lives, moms!
This year, we don’t have to cave to the weight of social pressures that so often tag along with this holiday; instead we can prepare and simplify.
Related: 10 things stealing your holiday joy (and how to ditch them)
Here are 10 things to remember this Christmas:
1. Keep decorations simple.
Decorating is one of my favorite parts of our family Christmas celebrations. However, I’ve found that keeping decor simple allows me to enjoy it without the dread of having to take it all down! Of course everyone is different. If you truly enjoy going all out with decorations, go for it! Enjoy it fully. For me personally, simple = joy.
In our house, we’ve taken simple Christmas very seriously, in order to maximize the joy! For now, we have a “one bin” policy—meaning we have one large plastic bin for Christmas decor (plus our Christmas tree stand). Each year, when we get new ornaments or decor, we give something away in order to make it all fit.
While I imagine our policy might expand to a “two bin” policy (or more) once our daughter starts making ornaments, the principle is the same: Keep it simple and enjoy the process.
2. Make and keep your Christmas budget.
It can be tempting to overspend when it comes to Christmas gifts. Before you start shopping (or do more), make a budget (on a spreadsheet or a piece of paper). Add it all up and see if you can afford the total. If not, make cuts. Don’t let Christmas spending follow you into the New Year. It will steal your joy—guaranteed.
Related: Mom shares simple after-Christmas tradition in viral video, and it’s perfect
3. Clear out your kid’s toys before Christmas.
I don’t know about you, but when my daughter receives a lot of presents, there’s a part of me that panics a bit inside. While I’m very grateful, I can’t stop myself from thinking: Where am I going to put all of these toys?
Since we know our kids will receive new toys for Christmas, it’s smart to donate old or unused toys now, to make space for Christmas gifts. That way, on Christmas day you can rest easy knowing that each new toy has a home.
4. Make gifts intentional and meaningful.
When giving gifts, sometimes I’m tempted just to give for the sake of giving or even out of obligation. In these moments, I’ve had to tap back into the heart I had as a kid, when I bought or made my parents presents. Those awful presents truly came from a pure heart—and a desire to give.
Before buying for someone, ask yourself: What does this gift communicate to the other person? Does it show love? Does it tap into their interests?
Related: 5 activities to bring your family closer together this holiday season
5. Limit your commitments so you can focus on family time.
Christmas comes with an increased amount of invitations: parties, gatherings and cookie bakes. I love this! However, when our schedules get too full, it can take away from our family time. It’s important to be intentional with your time during this season. Don’t say yes to every party; leave time for your family.
6. Choose one (yes, ONE) holiday tradition to really commit to.
As moms, we tend to think we need to keep all the traditions alive—gingerbread houses, matching pajamas, elaborate Christmas morning breakfasts, holiday light scavenger hunts, and the list goes on forever.
But our kids don’t need a whole catalog of traditions; they need one that feels like “us.”
Pick one thing your family genuinely loves and lean into it. Maybe it’s reading a Christmas book every night or driving around to look at lights in your comfiest sweatpants. When we simplify the expectations, the memories have a chance to breathe.
7. Let go of the “perfect Christmas dinner” pressure.
I’m convinced that half of holiday stress is just moms trying to figure out which side dishes won’t burn. Friends, hear me when I say this: no one will remember if the mashed potatoes were lumpy.
Cook something simple. Order takeout. Make breakfast for dinner on Christmas Eve.
Your family will remember the laughter and the warmth—not the menu.
Related: 10 dazzling Christmas light displays around the USA
8. Build in downtime (yes, actually schedule it).
Christmas can feel like a sprint that accidentally turns into a marathon. One thing that helps our family is literally blocking off downtime on the calendar. A whole afternoon of nothing but baking cookies, watching a movie, or staying in pajamas? Bliss.
When we protect our quiet moments, the rest of the season feels less frantic.
9. Give yourself permission to skip the things that drain you.
Some holiday tasks simply aren’t for everyone. Maybe wrapping presents with precision brings you joy… or maybe it makes you slightly homicidal. Maybe holiday cards are your Super Bowl… or maybe the thought of addressing envelopes makes your soul want to nap. If something drains you more than it delights you, skip it without guilt. Christmas isn’t about proving anything—it’s about being present.
10. Remember that your kids experience Christmas differently than you do.
We see the logistics, the mess, the planning, the receipts. They see the lights, the magic, the cookies, and you. Kids don’t notice the clutter you’re stressed about. They don’t care if the garland is lopsided. They don’t track how many gifts are under the tree. They care that you’re there.
And sometimes, the most magical thing we can give them is a mom who isn’t stretched so thin she’s about to snap like a candy cane.
Related: 10 magical train rides to take with your family during the holidays
This year, make the choice to make Christmas magical again by simplifying and tailoring it to your family, this year, right now.
A version of this post was published on December 5, 2017. It has been updated.

















































































