This Christmas season has been very overwhelming for me. Between work, school events, sports, and everyday life, another task of “creating magic” has felt like a huge burden. While I want my home to feel the Christmas joy, this year I don’t have the time to make the most picture-perfect holiday for my kids. We accidentally became an “Elf” family this year and I have since realized that it’s the small moments that create lasting memories.
If you love the magic of Christmas, but can’t take on a Hallmark movie level of planning this year, here are some small ways to make the season feel special while saving your sanity:
- Christmas doesn’t have to arrive with the Nutcracker Trepak, it can show up in five minutes. Turn on the Christmas tree first thing in the morning, light a festive smelling candle or play a Christmas song while you get ready for the day. These tiny reminders slow things down, and create a sparkle even during the busiest mornings.
- Are you a family with what seems like nightly traditions? Make this the year to scale it back. Choose the ones that make everyone happy. A movie night with hot cocoa or designate one night to look at Christmas lights and stop for peppermint ice cream to make it a little sweet. No need to create a full advent calendar of activities.
- Embrace “Lazy Christmas Magic.” Do you normally spend a whole day making salt dough ornaments? Let this year be the year you visit the Dollar Tree and let your kids paint their own or even less messy, use markers. Instead of spending hours and a few tears building a gingerbread house, buy premade cookies and have your kids decorate them or create a hot cocoa bar with marshmallows, sprinkles, and a cinnamon stick. These small touches feel magical and take way less time.
We live in a world of “to-dos” during the holiday season. From school parties to shopping lists, it feels never ending. Christmas isn’t about checking off the list (that’s Santa’s job); it’s about making memories. Even if those “memories” are just you and your husband arguing over who has to get out of bed at 3am to move the elf.
The true Christmas spirit is presence. Children won’t remember the influencer-styled decorations or the calendar full of events. They will remember singing silly Christmas songs on the way to school, that dang elf, and the feeling of being deeply loved.
