My plan for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season

This is big y'all.  I had a revelation.  We always have a VERY busy October-December.  First, is Dave's birthday (10/27), then Halloween, then my birthday (11/13), then Thanksgiving, then our anniversary (12/2) and then Harry's birthday (12/8) and then Christmas.  I did not even include my sister's, nephew's, two brother in laws' and a sister in law's birthday in that time frames as well.  And we usually do a very big (100+people) Christmas party. So every year, I feel quite stressed and overwhelmed during the holidays.  I know everyone does but I always feel like I am just trying to make it from one party/occasion to the next. And I realized that is not fun for anyone in our family.

This year, I am doing things differently. I really just want to savor the beauty and miracles of the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons with my family.  So I asked myself what 3 things cause me the most aggravation and stress each year.  And I came up with: 1) our family Christmas cards (getting the  "perfect" photos and choosing the design, etc) 2) cleaning, cooking, decorating and hosting our party and 3) the tree (putting up and taking down---we have TONS of ornaments).

Then, I devised ways to eliminate or reduce the stress.  I decided we are not having our party this year.  While I love entertaining, it sometimes becomes a huge to do list with little enjoyment.  So, we are taking a year off and I am so glad. I might throw an impromptu small happy hour or dinner party but no BIG party.

For our Christmas cards, I am using a photo that my sister took of us at the beach this summer.  I usually prefer a more seasonal look but it is a good photo of our whole family (thank you Dawn) and it is done! Minted gave me a nice credit and discount in exchange for using some of my photography on their site. So I chose one of their beautiful cards and I am done.  This may not be my favorite or most creative card I have ever sent but it is certainly the most stress-free so far. And Minted has beautiful cards.  In the past, I have used Tiny Prints and I love them too!

{I love the simplicity of this tree}

Finally, we are doing something different with our tree.  I sort of pre-planned this one last year.  When we were packing up the ornaments, I kept a few white and silver ones separate.  I plan to decorate our tree very simply with white pine cones and some white and silver balls.  It will be simple and beautiful and hopefully about 1/3 of the work.  We had a family meeting about the tree because I did not want the kids to be upset.  And you know what?  They are so excited about my plans!  Harry in particular is really looking forward to a simpler, less stressful season.  Our plan is to really celebrate Advent (light the candles and pray and do the readings), read more together, watch the Christmas specials, bake holiday cookies.  I want us to spend more time focusing on the birth of Christ and less on the "stuff."

I have to tell you that my plan makes me feel so FREE.  So, I encourage you to think about what stresses you out about Thanksgiving and Christmas (or Hanukah) and think of a way you can eliminate that stressor.  Share with me.  What is your biggest holiday stressor?