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By Heather Logan

Do you ever find yourself completely exhausted after the holiday season?

It’s amazing how in the midst of one of the best seasons of the year, so many are stressed and anxious about all that there is to do. The different holiday parties, the events and family get-togethers, and the festive activities for the family are all such wonderful traditions, but it can be a lot. With so much to do, it’s easy to wish away the season and forget what you are actually celebrating. 

SIMPLIFY THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON

Don’t miss what is right in front of you this Christmas. 

The seasons fly by and kids grow up. Families change just as fast as the seasons and you want to soak up all of the important times with the people you love. 

Unfortunately, it seems like with so many fun options it’s easy to see families running so fast in different directions but not actually doing what they want to be doing with their own families. 

This is my encouragement to look around and see the things that are right in front of you, and be mindful of how you can fully enjoy this season with the people you love the most. 

AT THE HEART OF SIMPLE

For me, one of the most stressful things is buying presents. I am not a good gift giver unless I know what people want, so buying things just to buy things stresses me out. I become so consumed with figuring out what people want that I forget to remind my own family about why we even give gifts in the first place. 

I desire to point my family to Jesus, not events, food and gifts and yet somehow in the craziness of the season, I quickly find myself fixing my eyes on the wrong things. 

The wonderful thing is, you don’t need to overcomplicate the Christmas story, it is just as powerful today as it was the day Jesus was born. 

In an effort to make Christmas more meaningful it’s easy to add too much fluff to an already perfect and timeless story. Maybe this year you are one of those who need to pull away from all the extra add-ins and just take time to focus on the amazing story of the birth of Jesus. Taking the opportunity to read the Christmas story found in Luke 2 together as a family and talk about it. Remind one another of the amazing things Jesus came to do and imagine what it might have been like to be there when he was first born. 

Christmas is full of so many wonderful traditions and pulling back from some of those may cause a very real sense of guilt. 

If you are like me, maybe you need permission this year to not feel guilty for saying no. I know the guilt can be too much and cause many of you to commit in order to please those wonderful family and friends of yours. 

If this is you, this is your reminder that it’s OK to knock some things off of that holiday list and simplify this season! It’s ok to put your own family first and be sure you are healthy and able to enjoy all that this season represents. 

5 SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN CUT BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: 

1. Don’t make the food, buy the food.

I know, homemade is what everyone expects and it is SO good! But maybe this year you buy the sugar cookies to frost instead of making them from scratch! Feel the freedom to take a trip to the grocery store for some fast and easy snacks or meals, trust me, it will still be delicious, people may not even notice!

2. Limit the family gatherings.

You may feel the pressure, and there may be guilt involved but it is ok to choose the most important family gatherings and say no to the rest. Sometimes it’s just not realistic for your family to join in on all the festivities . It’s hard to say no, and others may not understand your reasoning, but it’s important that you don’t sacrifice what really matters to your family in order to please those around you. 

3. Stay home. 

Maybe this year instead of traveling your family just needs to rest and be together. Rather than packing up and driving from place to place, you order pizza and have a movie night at home with games and yummy snacks! You have freedom, use your freedom to choose what you want to do this holiday season! Switch up the plans and just enjoy the people you love most! 

4. Give cash or gift cards.

I cringe a little even writing this because it seems like, what is the point of a gift card? I hate giving them, but I love when I get them! Then I think of ALL the returns people make after Christmas because of unwanted gifts, and it just makes sense! How easy is it to give others the opportunity to buy something for themselves that they actually want/need?! Not only that, it saves you some time trying to find the perfect gift that they maybe won’t want anyway! 

5. Post your family Christmas card on social media.

This is the beauty of social media! With so many friends and family able to see your posts and updates, instead of stressing out about Christmas cards this year, just post a simple photo of your family wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. 

There are so many more ways to simplify this holiday season, the point isn’t the how, but choosing to do so in order to love well on your family and focus on celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Wife Step: Give yourself the gift of grace this Christmas and remember that you don’t need to do it all. Choose at least ONE way to simplify and enjoy Christmas this season!

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