It’s December and if there are visions of sugar plums dancing in my head at all, then they are doing one intense, anxiety-inducing two step – reminding me of all the things I still have accomplish before midnight on Dec. 24. The Christmas to-do list flashes in my brain as if someone turned the speed way up on my tree’s twinkling lights (that I painstakingly wrap around each branch, by the way).
I love Christmas, but it was so much more magical when I wasn’t the one making the magic happen.
I’ve been in full holiday planning mode for months – ordering the annual ornaments, selecting outfits for the holiday card, tracking down the addresses of friends who may have moved this year, making lists, checking them twice – all while holding down a full-time job outside the home. When you add holiday to-dos to the endless list of “normal” chores, it is nothing short of a Christmas miracle that my house resembles anything remotely reminiscent of a winter wonderland. I suppose my one saving grace is that my kids are still too young for that petulant Elf on the Shelf.
Have I become a Grinch? In my pursuit of a perfect holiday, am I forgetting to just have… fun?
The hustle and bustle has only just begun, so here’s what I am trying to remember as I keep the holiday spirit alive in my soul in these weeks leading up to Christmas.
Messy moments create the best memories.
When I let go of the need for perfection, it is easier to see that the real joy of the season comes from the laughter, creativity, and yes, even the chaos. Watching my son “decorate” a gingerbread house is the perfect example that imperfection is often where the magic happens.
Ask for and accept help.
Delegating tasks isn’t just practical – it’s a gift to yourself. My husband is equally as capable of addressing Christmas cards as I am; that burden does not have to be mine and mine alone.
Simplify and savor.
It’s okay to set lofty goals, and it is equally ok to let them go if you need to. I abandoned trying to get my kids to pose for a cute Christmas card photo this year. And you know what? Christmas will still come and go AND we were all happier for not having to wrestle two toddlers and a dog into matching plaid. Our cards will still be fine! The simpler the expectation, the easier it is to enjoy.
Take time for yourself.
Even amidst the busiest moments, carving out a few minutes of quiet reflection is essential. Whether it’s enjoying a warm drink by the tree or stepping outside to admire the neighborhood lights, those small pauses can restore your sense of peace and perspective.
So, as the season marches on like an unrelenting toy soldier, remember: Christmas isn’t about perfection – it’s about presence. It’s about embracing the joy, the mess, and the moments that make your holiday uniquely yours. When you let go of the pressure and lean into the imperfection, you remember what the holidays are truly about: love, laughter, and perhaps a little glitter in the carpet.
