10 Things I'm Doing (and not doing) This Holiday Season

A simple little list to keep me grounded, less stressed, and focused on what matters most.

Well hello friends! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve had the creative inspiration to sit down and write a full blog post. But before getting into it, I’m wondering— do you ever have one of those seasons where it seems that all prior creativity and vigor for life have seemingly vanished and the current version of you is left wondering, what happened?

If so, I’m right there with you! Ever since finding out about being pregnant with Baby #5 this summer, I’ve been in a lull with productivity and inspiration. I’ve allowed myself to take more naps, put off projects around the house, and give myself grace for not rising up to the standard that I once held for myself.

And I’m okay with that— because I’m living in the season that I’m in… not one from 6 months ago where I was posting on Substack several times a week, running many miles, and checking things off my to-do list left and right. But my current reality today. Growing a baby, homeschooling kids, and maintaining our home as best I can!

But as I emerge out of this slower stage and anticipate only a few more months of my final pregnancy, I’m reminded that seasons of life are like this. Here for a time, to serve a purpose.

So in today’s post, I’m sharing how I’ll live in this season (especially as everyone gears up for the busiest, most consumeristic time of year). Here’s 5 things I’m choosing to do this Christmas season, and 5 things I’m taking off my plate. Being mindful of what serves you (and depletes you) is a healthy way to focus on what matters most and adds more simplicity to your season.

5 Things I’m Doing This Holiday Season

Hosting special breakfasts, morning quiet time by the tree, Christmas School

1. Decorating my home early. For us, putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the rest of the house came on November 15th this year! I know, it’s weeks before Thanksgiving and a tad premature. Since childhood, I’ve found so much enjoyment in decorating for Christmas and sitting in stillness gazing at the lighted tree so I want to extend this time, not rush through it.

2. Doing “Christmas School” with my kids. Since beginning to homeschool, we’ve always taken a break from the “non core academics” in December and instead celebrated Advent by doing a Christmas study (I’ve done Christmas with Tales and a Gentle & Classical Christmas and love them both!). We read lots of great books, study verses and the Nativity story, make cards and ornaments to give away, bake cookies, and learn new handicraft skills. Even though it means deviating from our normal rhythm and more work for me, it’s always worth the extra effort.

3. Having a simplified Advent Calendar. About 8 years ago when my oldest was only 2, I decided to make our first Advent calendar. We still use the same one today, which consists of 25 little paper bags filled with tiny books of the Nativity story, a verse of the day, and a special activity. I’ve gone all out with our daily activities (usually a craft, service activity, or fun treat), but this year I’m keeping it much more simple. I’ll mix in some favorite activities from our Christmas School curriculum, plan ways to serve our community and neighbors, and add in some of our favorite family traditions (which I’ll share in a separate blog post soon!).

4. Celebrating the 4 Sundays in Advent. We began this tradition last year and it was a really meaningful way to celebrate the season. I use these candles and follow this free reading plan. Each Sunday evening in December, we gather around the table to light the candles, sing a Christmas hymn, and lead the kids in a discussion about that week’s theme (hope, love, joy, and peace). My kids loved this coloring page too.

5. Hosting a Friends Christmas Brunch. I’ve been leading a monthly ladies breakfast at a nearby coffee shop once a month but for December I decided to invite the group to my house for a Christmas potluck breakfast! As moms, it can be hard to find opportunities for community and connection so any chance I get to do these kid-free events is always worth it.

   

5 things I’m Not Doing This Holiday Season

1. Making a photo Christmas card. I love receiving and hanging family Christmas cards on our walls and many years I send our own out after having family pictures taken, but this year we’re not. Not only is it a large expense (with ordering cards plus paying for postage) but with our baby arriving in early March, I’m planning on taking newborn pictures of her to create a birth announcement card, so it didn’t seem necessary to make and send cards in December and then again in March.

2. Filling our weekends too full. There are so many Christmas parties, activities, and events that I can cram into December, but this year I know it will be healthier for us all if we minimize commitments and leave room for margin. We’ll prioritize hosting friends over for dinner, going to our favorite church parties and services, and doing lots of Christmas movie nights on Friday nights— with hot cocoa and a crackling fire (any favorite movie suggestions are welcomed!).

3. Waiting to the last minute to buy gifts. One of the most stressful parts of the Christmas season is when I’ve waited until the last minute to buy someone a gift. I find myself scrambling to think of what they might like and usually end up buying something that they probably didn’t even need. This year, I want to be more intentional about gift buying so that by mid-December I have all gifts purchased (and made even wrapped!), leaving the last few weeks to spend enjoying the Advent season and true meaning of it instead of an obligation to spend money.

4. Paying for Christmas-themed attractions with the kids. There are so many free activities and events around each community that are still really fun and save a lot of money. Some of our favorites are the library’s train display, our town tree lighting ceremony, church programs and parties, community craft events, and caroling to the local nursing home. We spend enough money on gifts so looking for free activities saves so much money.

5. Buying matching pajamas for the kids. I really love seeing siblings in matching pajamas on Christmas morning, but to be honest half of my kids don’t even wear pj’s to bed, so it’s not worth the money if they’ll only end up wearing them for one morning! Not every fun tradition works for every family, so this is one I can take off my list and not feel bad about.

   

   Throwback to a few years ago when I did buy matching pj's!

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For my family, Christmas is our favorite time of the year. But my kids are like any others and can get wrapped up in presents and their wish-lists and can neglect to focus on the reason why we even celebrate the season— remembering our Savior’s birth. When I can prioritize my “yes’s” and “no’s” and go into the season with more clarity and simplicity, this allows the whole family to feel more grounded and less chaos with all the things we could be doing.

You might consider making your own list of “do’s and “don’t’s” before the holiday season begins to reorient your priorities and add more enjoyment to this time of year. If so, I’d love to hear them! As always, thanks so much for being here and following along!