Do you ever find yourself trying to squeeze in all the things during the holidays because you want to create magical memories for your kids? And in the process… missing out on the actual joy of the season because you’re running around trying to check everything off the list?
Trust me… I get it.
For years, that was me. I did all the holiday things:
- Sent out holiday cards
- Bought gifts for everyone at home and at work
- Baked endless batches of cookies to make perfect cookie trays
- Attended every school party, every concert, every event
- Coordinated dress clothes for the kids
- Turned the window candles on and off each day
- And don’t even get me started on the daily elf antics, including a full scavenger hunt on Christmas morning with clever clues and hiding places
I wanted everything to be perfect.
But as a result, I spent the entire month of December (or more!) as one big ball of stress and overwhelm.
Sound familiar?
Every year I promised myself that next year would be different… I’d plan better, start earlier, be more organized. But no matter what I tried, it always ended the same way: me, cranky and exhausted, trying to do everything for everyone.
The Year Everything Changed
One year, when my kids were older, we decided to take a big trip instead of exchanging gifts. Because we were going to be away, we naturally cut back on everything.
And that was the year I finally got the relaxing, peaceful holiday season I’d been craving.
Not because I did more planning.
Not because I was more organized.
Not because I started earlier.
But because I did LESS.
Less decorating.
Less baking.
Less shopping.
Less everything.
And by doing less, my holidays became so much more.
More time to slow down.
More time to be present.
More time to actually enjoy my family, instead of managing them through a to-do list.
The Truth About Holiday Memories
Now that my kids are older, I can see something clearly: We didn’t need to do everything every year to create wonderful memories.
Over the years, we:
- Rode the Polar Express
- Had breakfast with Santa
- Saw The Nutcracker
- Made cookies
- Decorated the house beautifully
- Hosted a great holiday party
- Took an amazing family trip
- Had fun scavenger hunts for gifts
But not all in the same year.
Those memories happened over time.
And you know what one of their funniest memories is?
The year we got our Christmas tree so late that we ended up with a Charlie Brown tree.
And guess what?
They loved it.
You don’t need perfect to make magic.
Holiday Memories Happen Over the Years, Not Every Year
When you try to do everything, every year, you often end up so busy, overwhelmed, and stressed that you can’t enjoy anything.
But when you do less, you become more relaxed… and you can actually have fun doing the things you choose to do that year.
And I don’t know about your family, but mine is much happier with the relaxed, present version of me. They did not enjoy the cranky stress-pot who was trying to do it all.
My Holiday Advice for Parents With Young Kids
Don’t try to make every year perfect.
Don’t try to fit in every activity.
Don’t try to check every box.
Relax.
Let go.
Do less.
Holiday magic and memories happen in the moments over the years, not in the list, not every year.
Wishing you and your family a happy, peaceful, joy-filled holiday season.
