When it comes to the holiday season, some folks seem to juggle it all effortlessly — I’m definitely not one of them. I’ve given it my best shot, and I genuinely adore this time of year. Picture a blend of Martha Stewart and Buddy the Elf, and you have my holiday spirit. I deck the halls, whip up festive treats, and blast Christmas tunes starting from Halloween until the New Year. But over the years, I’ve learned an important lesson: trying to do everything can drain the joy right out of the season. That’s why I now focus on the traditions that truly make my family happy instead of spreading myself too thin and stressing us all out.
The holidays should be about gratitude and quality time together. There’s no room for joy-sucking tasks in a season meant for celebration. To combat this, I’ve introduced new traditions that allow me to kick back and enjoy Hallmark movies while sipping from the eggnog carton, rather than crying in the bathroom with a heap of cookies.
New Traditions for a Joyful Season
A few years back, the women in my family made a collective decision to stop exchanging gifts. With families growing and more nieces and nephews arriving, the gift-buying frenzy became overwhelming. Instead, we now cherish our time together with a lovely dinner out — just the ladies. No cooking or cleaning required! I also host a cookie swap where store-bought treats and pajamas are completely acceptable. We indulge in sweets and wine while singing and dancing in my living room. Trust me, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen us perform our rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas” — it’s a showstopper that would make the Rockettes envious. Making memories together has become the greatest gift of all.
With the time and money we save from avoiding gift exchanges, we can focus on more meaningful activities. I love taking my kids to the local country store to pick a name from the Angel Tree. We’ve been doing this for nearly a decade, and it instills a sense of gratitude in them that nothing else can replicate. We also donate holiday meals to the local food bank, send a generous donation to St. Jude, and even cover the bill for the person behind us in the drive-thru. One of my favorite moments was surprising a sweet lady at our go-to burger joint with a bracelet she’d admired on me. I counted the days until I could gift it to her, and her joy was priceless.
Letting Go of Stressful Traditions
We’ve let go of some traditions that became more of a chore than a pleasure, like sending out holiday cards. While I appreciate receiving them, the pressure to create and send them felt overwhelming, so I decided to let that go. It’s perfectly okay to change or abandon traditions that no longer bring joy to your life.
During the holidays, I want to embrace every moment. I envision driving around in our pajamas, sipping cocoa, and admiring the Christmas lights. I want to dive into my recipe box and create delightful chaos in the kitchen with my kids, eating raw cookie dough and frosting, and enjoying every messy moment. If the cookies don’t turn out perfectly, that’s just part of the fun — especially when my son decorates his gingerbread man in the most unique way.
I also love browsing Pinterest for inspiration, even if I don’t end up doing everything I pin. The anticipation is part of the magic. While I enjoy holiday parties, I might skip some to simply relax at home, nestled beside the Christmas tree with my kids asleep and my dogs at my feet. Sometimes, true magic lies in those quiet moments. It’s found in the kitchen while making cherished family recipes and in the unexpected smiles of strangers when you show kindness.
Embracing the True Spirit of the Holidays
I refuse to rush through the holidays, shopping for gifts for people who have more than enough already. It drains my energy and diminishes my ability to truly enjoy the season. Holidays should be a time of joy for everyone, regardless of how we choose to celebrate.
Letting go of the unnecessary to make space for what truly matters is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your family. Trust me on this.
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Summary
Embrace the holiday season by prioritizing meaningful traditions over stress. Letting go of unnecessary tasks allows for quality family time, gratitude, and creating joyful memories. Focus on what truly matters and make room for the magic of the season.
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