I can hear the gasps now: “She wants to give up Christmas? A mother of four? THE Christmas? You know, the one celebrating the birth of Jesus and all that joy and peace?” Yep, that’s exactly it. I’m officially done—D-O-N-E—with how we moms are expected to celebrate the holiday.
Christmas has transformed from a celebration of our Savior’s birth into a whirlwind of chaos. Forget Silent Nights and Merry Gentlemen—get ready for 30 days of holiday “cheer” that looks more like this:
- Family Photo Madness: Maybe it’s just my crew, but the best holiday photo I ever took was one where all my kids were fast asleep. Getting four energetic boys and one adult male to dress up, smile, and stay still for more than two seconds? Impossible. After snapping 60 hilarious photos filled with antics like tongue-sticking and wedgie-picking, I had a meltdown, exclaiming, “All I want for Christmas is one decent picture!” Miraculously, I got a good shot in that moment of shock. This year? I might just use their school photos and call it a day. Revenge for their lack of cooperation awaits in their adulthood.
- The Annual Christmas Letter: Everyone sends these lengthy updates about their “perfect” family. If you’re one of those people, please skip to the next point. For the rest of us who chuckle at these grandiose tales, here’s my take: “Dear Friends, This year? Nobody got promoted. My husband works hard but is not grumpy. My boys broke everything we own and exhaust me daily. But they’re polite and loving, which counts for something. As for me? I work about 48 jobs without pay and ran a marathon just to keep up with my donut habit. Merry Christmas from the Collins family!”
- Decorating Disasters: Thanks to Pinterest, I feel the pressure to create a winter wonderland. But after years of decorating only to watch my kids destroy it, I’ve given up. Now, I let them decorate the tree, and last year, my efforts ended in a spectacular tree collapse. I’ve learned to embrace chaos—this year, I’ll be tying that tree to the wall before I even think about ornaments.
- Holiday Party Overload: Bring a dish, exchange an ornament, or swap gifts! I used to host parties but quit when my friends were more stressed than joyful. Now I feel guilty declining invites, but I’m calling a moratorium on holiday gatherings this year. Let’s just exchange Valentine’s cards instead!
- Christmas Plays: Before I had kids, I dreamed of my little angels in adorable Christmas plays. Fast forward to reality, where I’ve found myself sewing costumes at 3 AM and wondering why ‘simple’ sewing patterns are anything but. These days, I just let my boys take the stage—messing up lines has become their specialty, and I’ll enjoy watching them instead of stressing over production.
- Toy Assembly Nightmares: Ah, the joy of Christmas Eve assembly! No matter how early I buy gifts, my husband waits until the last minute to tackle the toy assembly. Picture us, exhausted and bickering at 2 AM, trying to decipher foreign instructions. It’s all worth it when they tear into their presents on Christmas morning, even if I swear never to do this again.
Despite the chaos, I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything. When the boys rush down the stairs, all the holiday madness melts away. Just like childbirth, you forget the pain when you see their joy.
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In summary, the holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially for moms juggling family chaos and expectations. Embracing the imperfections and finding humor in the madness can make all the difference.