Lessons from Creating a Simple Christmas

It’s been a busy Christmas season so far and I’m exhausted going into the final week of Christmas. Work has been more demanding than normal. When this happens life can get pretty chaotic around the house. Thankfully we’ve simplified Christmas again this year. These are my lessons from creating a simple Christmas.

No matter what is happening, I always try to center myself and be mindful at how I’m feeling. It took years of practice for me to be able to do this and it is getting easier now.

During this extra busy Christmas season, I’ve learned a few lessons about myself and my family that I thought I’d share with you.

Lessons from Creating a Simple Christmas

1. Planning for Murphy’s Law Helps

This year’s work was more demanding of my time than I thought it would be. It could have been horribly stressful and complete chaos if I didn’t plan for Murphy’s Law. Having extra time built into the schedule and the mindset to flex my availability around “unexpected situations”, helped keep my stress levels manageable. When juggling multiple priorities (like many working moms), this has become my #1 tool for sanity.

2. Simplify the Christmas Baking

I promised myself this season that I was finally going to let go of expectations to fill a freezer with Christmas baking. Time was limited and I want my pants to fit after Christmas! So we sat down and simplified the Christmas baking again this year. Each year we do this and every year it gets easier to let go of the guilt I put on myself for not being the “perfect mom”.

3. Self-care is a Must

No matter how busy it is, an evening routine that helps takes the stress away will help you enjoy the Christmas season. Studies have proven that reading is the #1 stress-busting hack there is, so I regularly grab my Kindle and read for a few minutes before bed. Finding ways to do some self-care, whether you like to read or not, is a must to help reduce any overwhelm.

4. Stick to a budget & Pay Cash

We’ve been doing this for years. We plan the budget for Christmas and don’t put it on the credit card. This keeps us from over-spending and keeps the focus on family time, not about the gifts. We use an account to plan for “non-monthly” expenses and then have the money ready when we need it. This year my personal goal is to try and create a budget that we keep up-to-date. I’m working through this weekend budgeting workshop with Financial Freedom Crew and love it!

5. Hygge Helps Bring the Focus on The Family

Saying “No” to the unnecessary and “Yes” to some things is a balance that takes practice. My comfort zone was my personal self-care in the evenings, but when the chaos was extended, I started to feel disconnected from the family. I said “Yes” to a Christmas Light show and it was just what we all needed. This week we will be planning some more “out of the normal” routines to help reconnect during this busy Christmas season.

Simplifying Christmas

When I think about simplifying life and Christmas, I think of keeping the focus on those we love. In a world that is filled with everything busy, it can sometimes feel impossible to slow life down. People talk about how in the “good old days” life was simple. Life was simple because people focused on family and special relationships. They worked hard but knew how to spend time with those that mattered to them.

I’ve tried to take a page out of those days and modified it for today. I work hard and life isn’t the same as it was on my Grandparent’s farm, but in the end, we can try our best to put the focus on the family.

Here are a few lessons from creating a simple Christmas:

Plan for Murphy’s law – the “unexpected” events and work obligations happen. Plan for flexibility in the schedule, plan for family fun, and for self-care.
Simplify Christmas baking – buy it if you must, or find a simple recipe or two. Only make what the family enjoys.
Self-care is a must – take care of you! A stressed mom or a sick mom is not fun for anyone at Christmas.
Budget & Cash Purchases – plan your budget throughout the year, putting a little money away every paycheque. Then pay with cash so you don’t destroy your credit card during the holidays.
Hygge helps bring focus to the family – Hygge is about connecting with your loved ones and doing something out of the normal to help break up the boring in your life. It shakes up your dull and dreary life and brings comfort and connection.

As I go into this week of Christmas celebrations, I’m excited about focusing on the family. As we celebrate this season, we will also be planning for the next year. Our Christmas Eve celebrations will be simple, and our Christmas day will be simple as well.

From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!