5 Tips for a Simple Christmas Season

It’s that time of the year again!  You walk in the stores and it’s everywhere, in your face and even on the TV. We haven’t even gotten to Thanksgiving yet and we are already starting on Christmas.

Then it’s the toy lists, the parties, family gatherings, sales, church events, gift exchanges, school concerts…..it starts making your head spin with all that is fit into the next few weeks.

Can the holidays be simple?  Can they be affordable? Can we slow down and enjoy the season?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…..  OR is it?

Are you finding yourself trying to find the “right” gift? Or stressing over the big family gathering?

Concentrating on all the world has to offer, just to find yourself making this holiday season very complicated?

What can we do to simplify the holiday?

Start first by slowing down and reflecting on the most important things.  Remember WHO we are celebrating. Christ our Lord! His entrance into this world was the most simplest of beginnings.

No lights, No rushing, No big fan fare!

Focus on things like family, traditions, making memories with our kids or grand kids. It’s SO easy to get caught up in the commercialization of this season, isn’t it?  If we are all honest we have all done that from time to time.

Kids don’t need MORE things this Christmas, they need more quality time.

Remember we don’t need MORE stuff or the bigger and better, it’s the eternal things that matter the most!

Before you find your self frazzled and feeling overwhelmed with the holiday, Here are 5 tips for a simple Christmas season.

5 Tips for a Simple Christmas Season 

If you find your self frazzled and feeling overwhelmed with the holiday….

1) Take time & slow down….reflect on what is really important. Tell your kids how much you love them. Call a far-away friend or family member to talk and wish them a blessed holiday season. Say no to some events and just spend some quiet nights at home listening to Christmas music and playing games or doing Christmas crafts.

2) Remind yourself that the season is about our Saviors birth. Grab a simple, short advent devotional for your family that you can read throughout December. Pick a few favorite holiday books, wrap them up and open one each night for a really simple 12 days of Christmas books family activity.

3) Steer clear of t.v., catalogs and online shopping emails…they will bog you down on wanting MORE. Instead, spend some time going through your house and letting go of some things that can bring others joy and cut down on your own possessions.

4) Simplify as much as you can with decorations and gifts, rather than trying to have it all. You could try the three-gift approach: something they want, something they need, something just for fun! Make some DIY gifts for friends and family if you’re crafty. This amounts to less running around and less wasted on the Internet trying to find the “perfect gift”.

5) Spend quality time with family & friends making memories. Let the kids decorate the tree themselves! Drive around and look at Christmas lights together! Serve others with your family. Find a new but simple Christ-centered tradition. 

This season CAN be joyous if we learn to be simple and stay focused on remembering:

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

 Luke 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.