Plan on a Calm(er) Christmas
The holiday season brings so many emotions to the forefront of our minds. Joy and excitement can somehow turn into stress and overwhelm. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, there is a growing movement towards a calmer and more serene Christmas season. In this blog post, I’m sharing ways to work toward a “Calm Christmas” or at least a “Calm(er) Christmas” and provide practical tips to help you experience more joy and peace this holiday season.
Finding Peace in Simplicity
The goal of a Calm(er) Christmas is to simplify the holiday season and focus on what truly matters! It means removing the pressure of excessive decorations, extravagant gifts, and overbooked schedules. Instead, it encourages us to embrace the beauty of simplicity, allowing us to savor precious moments with loved ones and create lasting memories. A favorite carol sat church, a cozy morning reading by the Christmas tree, or baking gifts for neighbor with your children. These are the moments we want to cultivate.
I started pursuing a Calm(er) Christmas the year my oldest daughter was born. Her due date was 12/19. I wanted everything to be perfect for our first Christmas with a baby! In October, I started slowly purchasing gifts, mailing them to out of town relatives, ordering Christmas cards, and doing some holiday baking and freezing. I was so glad that I started to prepare early when she arrived early on Thanksgiving Day! We were certainly in the blur of newborn sleepless nights and constant feedings that Christmas. With the exhaustion and the new parent learning curve there was no way I could have also been running around doing last-minute shopping! I was so glad that a lot of the details of Christmas were already completed. I knew I wanted to make sure I carried this tradition on to future Christmases.
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Practical Tips for a Calm Christmas
1. Start Early and Plan
Begin by identifying the activities and traditions that hold the most meaning for you and your family. Prioritize those and let go of obligations that do not align with your desired calm Christmas experience. Plan your schedule accordingly. Write in ample time for rest, things that bring your focus back to Christ being the center of Christmas, and quality time with loved ones. If someone brings up an additional event or meeting you can confidently decline because you already have something scheduled at that time!
2. Follow along with the Calm(er) Christmas Series
This fall on Instagram I’ve saved lots of helpful links and details. There are gift guides, Christmas card sourcing, holiday centerpieces, and lots of other Christmas details. The Calm(er) Christmas series has weekly prompts with one or two holiday related tasks to consider each week leading up to Christmas. All the links and details are saved in the Calm(er) Christmas highlights on Instagram. You can download the printable checklist here:
- Week 1: 10/6 Talk with spouse about hopes for Christmas. Decide if you will travel. Plan Christmas Cards and book photographer if taking photos ( plan outfits, take advantage of sales from card companies: Simply to Impress, Minted and The Happy Envelope are my favorites), Decide on “Big” gifts for immediate family- start looking out for sales. Start a printed or digital shopping list.
- Week 2: 10/14 Shop for outfit for you and your family can wear to all your holiday events! This is great time to invest in pieces that can be worn through late fall and winter. Book Flights/ hotels/ cars for out of town travel.
- Week 3:10/20 Start gift lists for family and friends.Start a note on your phone or wherever is easiest for you to access as you go. Don’t forget about teachers, bus drivers, hair dressers, housekeepers, coaches, the mail carrier , hostess gift of Christmas and Holiday parties and other important people in your life. These are easy to get done well in advance. Stock up on gift cards cards for last minute gifts.
- Week 4:10/27 – Enjoy Halloween or Harvest Festivities !!! Plan any homemade/ neighbor gifts.
- Week 5: 11/3 Put all Holiday Events on calendar (Christmas parties for work, church, neighborhood, etc) and book babysitters if needed! Schedule family events for the traditions you want to create (caroling, going to see a fun Christmas place decorated, Nutcracker ballet tickets, see Santa, a Christmas concert). Also Purchase a few more gifs for family on the lists- Don’t Forget about the gift guide of Quality gifts under $30. Take inventory of Christmas Decorations and make any needed orders/replacements.
- Week 5 11/0- Get Advent Books or calendars for kids and adults. Purchase gifts for kids, nieces and nephews.
- Week 6 11/17- Set up/refresh guest area in your home for the Holidays. Address and Stamp Christmas Cards Keep your list of gifts ready so you can stay on target while you look for the best price on larger items during Black Friday Sales. ( Look for ideas here in the Golfer Gift Guide, Gift Guide for Her, Gift Guide for Active kids
- Week 7:11/24- Enjoy Thanksgiving week!!!! Keep your list of gifts ready so you can stay on target while you look for the best price on larger items during Black Friday Sales. ( Look for ideas here in the Golfer Gift Guide, Gift Guide for Her, Gift Guide for Active kids , Mail Christmas Cards
- Week 8: 12/1- Decorate for Christmas, Mail gifts to out of won friends and family. Plan Holiday menu. Order food or make reservations. Make a Christmas Playlist.
- Week 9: 12/8- Shop for Stocking Stuffers, Clean out/deep clean your home on anticipation of hosting. Finalize end of the year giving/ donations/tithe.
- Week 10 12/15- Wrap Gifts Deliver/ distribute gifts to friends, service providers. Meal Prep and freeze anything you can for Christmas meals (cookies, baked goods, side items.)
- Weel 12 12/22: Check to see if any gifts will need batteries or special tools for assembly, Fill Stocking, Enjoy and live in the moment with your family!
- After Christmas: Check out the Christmas Clean Up Post to get everything put away and organized for next year and your home refreshed for January
Enjoy your hard work!
A Calm Christmas is a conscious choice to prioritize peace and serenity during this season. By simplifying, planning, and embracing quiet moments, you can take steps toward a Christmas that allows you to connect with loved ones, find joy in the little things, and focus Jesus’ birth. So, take a step back from the chaos and let the thought of a Calm Christmas guide you toward a holiday season filled with peace and contentment.
