5 ways to simplify Christmas—and embrace the joy—this year
5. Limit your commitments so you can focus on family time. ✨

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.
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.