1. I put up my Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. Since the kids are out of school and the hubby's off work, it's a great time to deck the halls and put up the tree (yes, it's artificial - and I'm okay with that). That way this part of the season is completed early and we can enjoy it longer.
2. I try to purchase gifts (with some exceptions) in the order they're needed. If my husband's family's party isn't until after Christmas, then I don't need to stress about those gifts right now.
3. We have several holiday activities that have become tradition for our family. But some of these, like going to see Christmas lights, can actually be done early on in the month to free up time later for other fun things.
4. I don't mail out Christmas cards - I know, shame on me. Instead I digitally scrapbook a card with our pictures and e-mail it to those on our list.
5. Since it's sometimes hard to feel the holiday spirit during all the prep, I try to make time for things that sweeten the season for me, like watching holiday movies, playing Christmas music on the piano, and finding ways to reach outside myself.
What things do you do to simplify the busyness of the season? What holiday traditions do you and your family have? What is one of your favorite things about this time of year?
31 comments:
We use an artificial tree, too. I'm okay with it. That's what scented candles are for.
I don't do Christmas cards and kudos to your digital images and emails. I generally just post "Merry Christmas" on my fb wall. lol
We cut down on gifts because our family is growing leaps and bounds. If I were a doctor, I'd give prescriptions for birth control to my siblings, I'd even write it neatly but since I'm not... we do gifts for our parents and our kids. That saves time and keeps us less stressed.
I do my Christmas shopping in the early mornings before things get out of control. The crowds bring me down and test my patience and I didn't pray for patience this year. So...
Have a great Wednesday!! :)
Great list.
I buy gifts all year long. And we used to not send Christmas cards, but I finally caved and we send a few out now.
I don't go nutty decorating either. We don't do outside lights (though I wish we did).
~ Wendy
Jess - You totally crack me up! :) Shopping first thing in the morning is a great idea.
Wendy - I'm with you on the outside lights - wish we did it, but I'm okay that we don't. :)
The kids and I were just talking about what is special about the holidays this morning. I love going to see the lights. And we love watching movies. I also have gone to shopping online more to avoid the crowds.
I do thinks as I feel like it. lol This year I feel like sending out cards, so that's what I'll do. I love a fresh tree too, love the lights and music and moral of Christmas. :-)
I like your simple approach. I also cut out everything I can.
Jenny - We did more online shopping this year - I love it!
Jessica - Love that approach - doing what you feel like. :)
Angela - I've learned that simple really is best and the season can be just as enjoyable with less stuff/prep.
I'm with you on the simple approach and take the time to enjoy yourself.
I always send out Christmas cards. I've always done it.
The kids are older, so I don't have to fight my way through Toys R Us anymore.
Hubby and I do some late night shopping when the stores stay open later...less crowds.
It just started snowing here! That definitely helps me get excited about the holidays. I love listening to Christmas carols as I bake. Our Christmas traditions are changing this year as children and nieces and nephews start families of their own and it becomes more difficult to coordinate get togethers that can include everyone. But I'm looking forward to Christmas with a baby again. (Grand baby :) )
I'm with you on almost all counts.
Anything I can do to simplify is a good thing. Also, I hate how HUGE Christmas is supposed to be, because, really, it should be huge in a whole different way.
I quit sending out cards years ago and love that I don't! lol But I admit it's fun to get some so maybe I should rethink that one:)
We aren't doing anything this year as all my Christmas stuff is buried in boxes in the garage of this rental house and there is no room. I did pull out a Christmas runner for my table. But we don't know anyone here so no one will see but we will ride around and see other people's lights. Love to do that:)
Oh, and I already wrapped my gifts and have them ready to ship!
I have to have my tree. I usually put it up after thanksgiving but this year I didn't. I will this weekend. Now that my kids are teens, I force them to help me with it and we listen to Christmas music. =) I'm good a torturing them.
Loree - Late night shopping - now that's something I might have to try! I'm all about avoiding the crowds.
Sandra - No snow here yet, which I don't mind. :) As long as it snows - lightly - on Christmas.
Jolene - So true. Christmas should be huge in family, kindness, giving and not necessarily huge in outward things.
Terri - Congrats on already having your presents wrapped and ready to ship!
E. Arroyo - LOL! Isn't it funny what they think is torture? :)
I just played Christmas music on the piano this morning. :) And I don't do cards either. Some years, I print out a photo card of the family, but it depends on (a) whether I have a good picture to use and (b) whether I have the time to address them all. If either of those factors isn't there, I don't sweat it. :)
Oh Stacie! I needed this right now! I am similar to you in a lot of ways - but I hate not sending out Christmas cards. I like your idea of sending it via email! That is a great idea. I think I'm going to try that this year! Thanks for sharing all these wonderful ideas!
Sarah - I didn't know you played the piano too. :) Doing what you can and not sweating the rest is definitely the key to maintaining sanity through the holidays.
Leigh - I like getting cards, but it got too crazy trying to send them through the mail. I enjoy "making" my own with however many pictures I want, etc. because it's free.
I know - the other day I was at Walmart with the kids and I started to feel a terrific amount of anxiety about the upcoming holiday... Simplify is always a good motto :)
Kim Karras
Hello my dear friend Stacy! Really appreciate your time writing this post to share with us...Congrats! ! I wish a fantastic day for you, with very smiles and peace! Greetings from Rio de Janeiro/Brasil! Visit me back, please.
We put our Christmas stuff up the day after Thanksgiving as well! :D The kids love it.
I'm done shopping... *hides* I've been done for a month. lol ;)
As for Christmas lights, we usually go to Temple Square and eat at the Spaghetti Factory every year. Sometime in the next few weeks! :D
Kim - Yes, keeping things simple works year-round. :)
Nelson - Thanks for stopping by.
Chantele - I'm getting closer to being done with the shopping - and it's a nice feeling. :)
Hi Stacy! Hope all is well. Wow this post is timely for me. I've been so busy working lately I haven't had a chance to decorate yet. I'm shooting for this weekend. Cards are usually a no. We play lots of holiday music & movies. And when everything gets too crazy I just breathe and try not to go to nutty. :)
It goes by faster and faster each year, doesn't it?? I always wanna pull back the reins and enjoy the season a bit more ... and then it's gone with the blink of an eye.
I'm like you, we decorate the day after THanksgiving instead of shopping ... and each week watch a seasonal movie. Cards are another form of stress that I always say I'm not gonna do, then end up doing. We also do the advent calendar and Elf on the Shelf and between the two of those, I struggle to keep up...lol!
Mina - LOL! Breathe, so as to not go too nutty - I need to remember that one. :)
Pk Hrezo - I'm always a little sad on Christmas afternoon when everything is over. It does go so quick.
I LOVE Christmas! Great idea about digitally scraping booking a card with your pictures and sending them by email. I'll have to try that. <3
Brenda - I have so much fun scrapbooking our card I usually start working on it early, like October/November. :)
I simplified our Christmas activity years ago and enjoy the season much more as a result.
Our daughter loves to get the tree up and decorated the day after Thanksgiving. I used to put that "chore" off as long as possible. By making the task a tradition and getting it done early, I've learned it can be fun instead of seeing it as work.
Now that our gal is in college and can only come home occasionally, she likes to have all the gifts purchased before Thanksgiving so we can get them wrapped and under the tree before she returns to school after Thanksgiving. Since I shop all year long, this works for me and gives me a date to be done. Plus I enter the busy month of December ready for the big day and much more at peace, which I really like. (I still catch the holiday bargains at the stores. I just save the items for the next year.)
Long ago I read how creating cloth drawstring bags can simplify the wrapping of gifts. We chose pretty Christmas fabrics at the after-Christmas sales one year, made bags in various sizes, and have used them ever since. Having them has cut down on our wrapping time considerably, saves on paper waste, and makes clean up on Christmas morning a breeze. The bags do a great job disguising what's inside and look so pretty piled under the tree. Of course, we have to tuck the ties inside because we have one cat who loves to chew on string. (We think he has a dog gene. =)
Keli - I LOVE that idea about the sewed Christmas bags! They sound cute and time-saving.
I SOOOOO needed this post right now! Christmas has been feeling a bit overwhelming to me. I'm hoping, though to get all the less fun (read: shopping) done this week, so I can focus on the parts I really love.
Peggy - Good luck with the shopping this week! Fingers crossed, I just might be able to be done this week too. :)
#5 is so important to keep the right attitude admist all the busy-ness! (and remembering the Reason for The Season, too of course). Once in a while I do something that I don't want to - like take my kids to a christmas movie they are begging to see - and it turns out to be a wonderful time for me too.
Margo - I went with my boys to see Arthur Christmas on Thanksgiving and really enjoyed it!
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