Moments of Joy: Do Less and Enjoy More During the Holidays

The holiday season is a time when we are bombarded with nearly endless to-do lists, stress, and expectations from others about what we’ll participate in and make time for. It’s so easy to get caught up in the swirl of busyness and before we know it – the days slip past and the holiday season is over. 

I know I’ve often felt frazzled, exhausted, and sad after the holidays when I haven’t taken the time to start the season with intention. 

Today I’d like to share with you a simple framework to head into the Christmas season with intention and joy. 

1. Cherish the traditions that are important to you.

Between school, family, friends, and community, we are surrounded by activities and events during the holidays. Pictures of smiling families fill our feeds – some people seem to do everything, don’t they? – and I know that I sometimes feel pressure to do more and experience more.

But, what’s critical is to decide what traditions, events and activities are important to you and your family. What do you love? What brings back great memories of earlier holiday seasons? It’s OK if your list doesn’t look like anyone else’s! Your family is unique!

And, on the other side of the equation – what can you let go of? What isn’t as fun as you thought? What feels like duty?

Here are a few things our family loves over the holidays:

• Baking and decorating Christmas cookies
• Watching all the cartoon Christmas oldies
• Driving around with hot cocoa to see Christmas lights
• Playing all the new video games

You know what we don’t do? Much else. We are lucky to have family that lives nearby, so we enjoy a holiday meal with them. We have a great church and enjoy Sunday mornings there and lunches out afterward.

But our homeschool life is slow and easygoing. We try to keep our normal schedule of having at least 3 weekdays at home, along with our normal get-togethers with homeschool friends and whatever our outside activities currently are.

Before my daughter was born, I used to fill my holiday calendar with shopping, activities, performances… you name it, I did it. Go, go, go. Now, nothing makes me happier than a day on the calendar with nothing on it.

But your calendar is yours: fill it with what matters to you – and just being at home counts!

2. Make an effort to connect with those who matter most to you.

Life is always busy, and if you’re anything like me, you fall into bed every day with an unfinished to-do list which includes connecting with friends and family more. 

I know family relationships can be complicated and the holidays aren’t always full of happy and joyful memories. The holidays can be a season of struggle.

So this year I invite you to think about the relationships that matter most to you and invest in them. Whether it’s time together, sending a handwritten letter, or a fun zoom call while you’re cooking dinner one night, make those connections during the holiday season. It takes some planning and being intentional – but those relationships are important!

Looking for a fun way to connect with the kids this year? Try these Christmas jokes for kids!

I have a small group of friends, three of whom moved across the country to various places in recent years. We try to gather on zoom every couple of months, and sit together and chat while we work on a craft project or do a puzzle. 

Is it the same as being around a table together? No – but it’s special and keeps us connected. 

Who do you want to stay connected with this holiday season?

3. Use this Christmas season as an opportunity to create lasting memories with those you love.

I’m the mom that is always taking pictures. Whether we’re on a playdate, walking the dog, going on a homeschool field trip, or just doing our daily homeschool work. Now that my kiddo is a tween, she’s not so excited about my picture taking habit as she was when she was younger.

Here’s the thing, though. What I’ve discovered is that there are moments of joy that pop up in the midst of all of these regular, normal, daily activities. When I can capture them, it brings such joy to look back and remember.

Those little moments of joy are the stuff that memories are made of.

It doesn’t have to be the big moments, the dressing up in fancy clothes, the pressure of the perfect family picture or trip to see The Nutcracker. Sure, sometimes those things turn out perfectly and create fun memories. (We know how those things usually turn out, though, don’t we? It involves tears.)

But many times? It’s the little, everyday moments that turn out to be the memories we talk and laugh about for years to come.

And it takes being present and being un-rushed to experience them.

I find when I start my days by getting up a little bit earlier, practicing gratitude, and starting from a place of peace and calm, I’m more able to be present (and I deal much better with interruptions and the unexpected, too). I’m more ready to capture those moments and help create them.

4. Take some time for yourself to relax and rejuvenate.

Parents, and many times moms, bear the brunt of the emotional and physical workload during the holidays. I have a goal to not be a grumpy mom during Christmas (I have not always succeeded at this goal!) so I have to schedule in time for things that fill my cup.

What brings you joy and helps you truly rest?

Maybe it’s reading a novel just for fun. A long bubble bath. Driving around by yourself and blasting Christmas music. Having a mom date with a friend for brunch. Talk with your partner about mornings where you can sleep in or evenings when you can go to bed early.

Make a list, mama. Actually schedule those things in your calendar, now, before things get crazy. Honor them, and yourself and the work that the holidays bring by taking the time to rest. 

Scheduling these breaks will help you show up as the best you during the holidays.

I’m wishing you the best holiday season yet!

I hope that I’ve given you some ideas – and the permission – to slow down and choose what’s important to you and your family this holiday season.

Plan some time with close friends and family that you love. Take good and gentle care of yourself. Be present and grateful for the everyday life and routines where those moments of joy and laughter can bubble up and take you by surprise. 

It’s more than OK if your traditions and what you love to do don’t look a thing like what everyone else does. It’s more than OK to opt out of most everything. What’s most important, my friend, is to lean into what your family loves.

That’s where the magic lives.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a beautiful New Year!

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