How To Have A Simple Christmas

There is no doubt that the end of the year and the holiday season is busy and bustling for many. Whether it is work or to-do lists, December gets busy, often too busy, and there is a pressure to do it all and be festive and happy while doing it. This year, I encourage you to give a simple Christmas a try.

Growing up, our family did not do much at all for the holidays. We did have a tree, but there was no fanfare in getting it or traditions that we followed year after year. Which is why I tried to make up for lost time by over booking my schedule. My heart was in the right place, but it was complicated and overwhelming. Juggling work, my small business on the side, my relationships, the expectations of my dysfunctional family, and trying to capture the holiday spirit, I was always left feeling like I missed out or failed. I could not make anyone else happy and from trying too hard I made myself unhappy. I was actually setting myself up to fail and I did not realize it.

Then came the first Christmas when I realized that I cannot recreate what I missed out on, but I could create a holiday season that brought me joy. As an adult, I no longer had to run around for my family to meet their high demands and I did not need to spend any time with people who are abusive towards me. I broke up with my toxic Christmas commute (running from house to house to house to see everyone else for the holidays) and I simplified. I also started saying no more often and did not commit myself to too many parties and festivities, It is ok to decline in invitation. I put myself and my husband first. I slowed down the season and started saying no to events and spent more time at home resting or enjoying simple holiday activities like baking, movies, and crafts.

I took my very long wish list and narrowed it down to a few achievable activities and holiday festivities. And every year I can do things I did not before or repeat activities I enjoyed again. Things like tree lightings, boat parades, Christmas strolls and festivals, Christmas light shows, making cookies, ice skating, holiday baking, watching the holiday classics, picking out a Christmas tree, Christmas crafts, seeing a show like the Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, or a Christmas Spectacular, gingerbread competitions, book readings, Christmas tree galleries, and so much more. All these things are beautiful and enjoyable, but not when they are crammed into an already busy calendar.

So now I focus on creating my annual holiday card, watching Christmas in Connecticut (my favorite holiday film), decorating our home for the holidays, and choosing only three activities I really wish to do this year. Everything else we do is simply a bonus.

This year my list includes:

• Creating my annual holiday card
• Attending the Bethlehem Connecticut Christmas Festival and tree lighting
• Learning how to make gingerbread cookies
• Watching Christmas In Connecticut, my annual favorite film
• Handmaking holiday candles as Christmas gifts

To recap, in order to simplify the holidays you get to decide where you spend your time, who you spend your time with, and what you do with that time. Everything else that happens, like our spontaneous trip to Mystic for the boat parade and tree lighting, is simply a bonus, not a requirement. I hope that you too can enjoy a simple holiday season this year.