Last year I shared some ways I was making Christmas simple out of pure necessity. With our home in complete disarray while in the middle of a renovation and pregnant with Jude, I needed to slow down and pare down Christmas. This year I am not pregnant and there is no one coming in and out of our house on a daily basis hanging drywall or laying tile. #praisejesus As I thought about what I wanted this Christmas to look like, I realized last Christmas was quite wonderful. The kids did end up with croup right before the big day, but there wasn't one other thing I would have changed.
So, this year we are doing it again. I am keeping things as simple as possible. We are saying 'yes' to things that are important to us and 'no' to some good, fun things that just can't fit this year. We are leaving margin to enjoy the season and I am doing my best to keep things simple when it comes to gifts, activities, decorating, and food.
Today I'm sharing some ways I am keeping Christmas simple this year. In 2017. There are some ideas from last year's post, as well as some new ones. These are not original and come from reading articles and books, chatting with friends, family, and, obviously, Pinterest.
Guilt-Free Decorating
One of my most favorite Christmas traditions is cutting down a tree. We head to our local tree farm, ride a mini tractor to the top of a random hill, and choose our tree. On our way to the farm this year, Kevin asked, 'what are we going to do about Jude'? I had no idea what he was talking about...and then I realized 'YES! What ARE we going to do about Jude??!!' He is a plant lover. He will absolutely get into any plant or tree within his reach. Problem. Instead of getting a big, beautiful tree, we opted for the tiniest tree we could find so we could set it on a table up where little hands aren't able to tear it down.
We still were able to make memories picking out a tree, but we absolutely didn't come home with the picture-perfect tree I wanted. I realized this won't be every year and it's okay to change things up for a year or two to adapt to our family's needs (and to save me from setting up the fallen Christmas tree thirty-three times in December).
Simplify the Advent Calendar
Lucky for me, I have a five year old this year. He does not miss a day of our Advent Calendar, which means we have't fallen behind. Mommas of super littles, someday you will have a little person to keep you on track.
Our advent calendar this year looks similar to last year. I decided on three random acts of kindness and the rest of the days are filled with simple things like 'have a pajama day' (which I realized we do most days anyways), 'make cookies', 'sip hot cocoa', 'watch a Christmas movie', as well as other fun things. Back in November, I planned our countdown to Christmas activities by looking at things we already had on the calendar. We are on day 11 and I have already done some late night switching because I just knew 'make cookies' wasn't going to happen tomorrow.
This year I printed and added this super simple Advent calendar to help us remember everyday the 'why' behind Christmas.
Fewer Gifts
Kevin and I have never been big on 'stuff'. We like to keep things simple and clutter free as much as possible, toys included. Both of our kids have their birthdays in November, so they are already overloaded with stuff come Christmas. Sometime before Luke was born I found a Christmas gift idea on Pinterest that included four gifts: something to wear, something to read, something you want, something you need. We have done this the past few years and while it seems simple enough, there were times Luke didn't need anything to wear or there wasn't anything he needed and it made it tough because I felt like I was buying things unnecessarily.
My mother-in-law told me about giving three gifts to each child to represent how Jesus received three gifts. That is what we have done the past two years. Both kids will receive three gifts, no guidelines involved, just three gifts. They will also get their stockings filled with small things like stickers and new toothbrushes. Simple enough for me. What is great about this, is Luke has picked up on it. He now knows he gets three gifts and has been telling us the exact gifts he wants under the Christmas tree.
Margin on the Calendar
This year I read Loving My Actual Christmas by Alexandra Kuykendall. It was so good, friends. Kuykendall presented so many good practices to get ready for the season as well as practical tips.
Back in November, Kevin and I sat down and discussed what made Christmas feel like Christmas. For me it is cutting down the tree, going to Lauritzen Gardens and the Durham Museum to see Santa. It is having lots of time at home to watch Christmas movies, sing Christmas songs, make cookies and drink hot cocoa. Kevin simply said being home on Christmas together. I guess we look at this season a bit differently. I also asked the kids and Luke said he wanted to go to the Durham and I honestly can't remember what Lily said, but we already had it on our list. We took the list and mapped out the season. Kuykendall would call it, putting in the big rocks first. We scheduled the tree cutting, Lauritzen and the Durham. I also used our Advent calendar to sprinkle in those little fun things like cookie making and watching Christmas movies throughout the month.
Since November, lots of fun, exciting things have come up to do or go to. We have said 'yes' to some of them, but 'no' to lots of them. It is oh so hard for me to say no to good, fun things, but I know if I want this season to be beautiful for my family, I must do it.
A last caveat to this...when I see a family on Facebook or Instagram doing something totally Christmas-y I...#1 do my best to not feel guilty about not doing said activity and #2 promise myself I will not add that incredible tradition to our plate this year. Every family is different and none of us can do it all.
Easy Gifting
My gifting is super similar to last year. I love to give thoughtful and meaningful gifts to the ones I love, especially at Christmas time. I am trying to simplify that this year and shop online as much as possible as well as think about gifting similar gifts to groups of people. For example, I am giving one simple gift to all of Luke and Lily's church teachers and some groups of girlfriends. I want people to feel loved and thanked this season, but I think it can be done in a way that doesn't bring bunches of stress to the giver.
Another way I made gifts easier this year was by starting early. I have a special tub I keep items I collect throughout the year for family and friends. I store it away and then have it ready for when Christmas is here. My goal this year is to be done shopping and wrapping by the end of this week, so I can enjoy the last week before Christmas without any last minute items on my list. I am almost there, friends!
Festive, Simple Fashion
Dressing myself and three children during the holidays is no joke. When we are going to a fun Christmas event or party where pictures will be taken, I want us to look somewhat presentable. This year I have two to three outfits picked out for each of us for these events. Luke has a few shirts and jeans, Lily a few dresses and a pair of leggings with a top, Jude has two sweet one piece outfits. I have a few tops paired with jeans or leggings and one dress for more formal gatherings. Kevin is on his own, because he always looks good and selecting male clothing is not my gift. I can feel confident when I push snooze on Saturday morning because I know there is something for all of us to wear.
Implementing the Crock Pot and Leftovers
We still have to eat! Even in this full season, my people still need to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Madness. I have been using the crock pot at least twice a week and have started to be creative with leftovers to make our food and my time more plentiful. This is helpful all year long, but especially during the Christmas season.
Giving Myself Grace
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year and I want to take in as much as possible and enjoy the magic and wonder that fills December. I love to read a Christmas book and watch Christmas movies on the couch cuddled under a blanket with a cup of peppermint hot cocoa. I am giving myself permission and grace to do this the next few weeks during nap time or at night after the kids go to bed. Besides, this season only comes around once a year.
As one of the best seasons comes to life around us, I want to slow down, take it in, and make as many memories as possible. They may not be picture perfect and there might be tears intertwined with those memories because #life. I'm thankful for this Christmas season nonetheless. Keeping it simple will help us to focus on the real reason for the season, the baby born to save the world.
Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your Christmas is merry, bright, and simple!
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