5 Ways to Simplify Your Christmas (And Enjoy It More!)

Do the holidays stress you out? Too much to do and not enough time to do it? Here are 5 ways to simplify your Christmas (so you can enjoy it more!)

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Is there any other time of year that makes us stress about making the “perfect” family memories more than Christmas?

I’m all about creating fun and meaningful family Christmas traditions — in fact, I compiled an entire list of ideas in last week’s post!

But… in our quest to create special memories, we can easily cross the line into trying to create the perfect Christmas for our kids.

And as I’m sure you’ve already seen, trying to create the perfect anything usually results in stress, frustration, and disappointment from dashed expectations. And I don’t know about you, but none of those are part of my Christmas goals, that’s for sure!

So today, I want to take a slight departure from my last few posts (though this one will actually put the others in proper perspective) and talk about a few ways to simplify your Christmas celebrations.

Not only will this decrease your personal stress levels (which improves the atmosphere of your entire home), but it will also help you focus on what’s truly good, true, and best for your family.

Because more isn’t necessarily better. Especially when it comes to Christmas.

5 Ways to Simplify Christmas

Choose a few traditions to focus on

Don’t try to do all the things every year! You’ll burn yourself (and your family) out and end up stressed out and stretched too thin. Instead, choose a few traditions that are particularly meaningful and enjoyable for your family and do them well.
Limit your activities

Similarly, you don’t have to say yes to all the invitations and opportunities that come your way. Pick and choose the ones that will bring you the most joy. Passing on some activities will give you the space to enjoy the ones you do choose all the more.
Downgrade the gift-giving

Who says you have to go crazy with the gifts at Christmas? Simplify by scaling back. After all, that’s not really what it’s all about, right?

If gifts are your love language and you love a big Christmas, then go for it. But if shopping for tons of gifts stresses your spirit (or your budget), then it’s just not worth it.
Be okay with saying no

Divvying up the holidays between family can be tricky, and sometimes certain family members can lay on the guilt and the pressure. But if you’re spending so much time rushing from place to place that you can’t even enjoy it, then something’s gotta give.

Be okay with telling someone no. They may not like it, but if they truly care about you and your family, they will understand. And if they don’t, well, then… they’re not the people in your life you need to worry about pleasing. #sorrynotsorry
Prep food in advance

Who wants to be stressed about food in the days leading up to Christmas or stuck in the kitchen all of Christmas day?? Not me.

Do your Christmas self a favor and start prepping now. There are SO MANY things you can make now and stick in the freezer for later.

Here are just a few ideas:

Breakfast foods — Baked goods, cinnamon rolls, baked oatmeal, and breakfast casseroles can all be made ahead of time and frozen.

10 Mouthwatering Make-Ahead Breakfasts for Christmas Morning

Breads and rolls

Desserts!

Cookies — Here are 15 Simple Christmas Cookies & Treats

Appetizers & snacks

For more help making Christmas (and all the major holidays) a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for your family, I highly recommend the book Sacred Holidays: Less Chaos, More Jesus by Becky Kizer.