The holidays are full of magic, memory-making, and let’s-be-honest… a whole lot of work. From school parties to gift-wrapping to making sure everyone has matching pajamas, moms are often the quiet ones behind making the season special. So if you’re already feeling the pressure creeping in, take a breath. 💗
Here are 8 practical tips to help you not only make it through the holidays but enjoy them, too.
Swap Homemade for Store-Bought (Guilt-Free!)
- Instead of baking five types of cookies for school or neighbors…
- Buy the pre-made cookie dough
- Grab a bakery box and add a handwritten note
- Pick up a hot cocoa kit instead of assembling one
Kids won’t remember whether you sifted the flour or perfectly decorated that gingerbread man. They’ll remember that you sat with them and ate the cookies.
Choose One Memory-Making Tradition, Not Ten
Instead of trying to squeeze in lights, gingerbread houses, Santa visits, crafts, and advent activities, pick one or two your family genuinely loves. The best traditions are the ones you don’t have to reinvent every year. Try:
- Matching socks instead of matching pajamas
- A family selfie in front of the tree
- Pancakes for dinner on Christmas Eve
- Drive around and look at Christmas lights in your pajamas.
Traditions don’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful.
Set a Gift Limit
Kids don’t need a mountain of gifts.
Try one of these frameworks:
🎁 Something they want
📚 Something they need
👚 Something to wear
📖 Something to read
or
🎁 3 gifts per kid
Less wrapping, less spending, less stress.
Give Yourself Permission to Not Do Traditional Tasks
If it doesn’t bring joy, skip it…really.
- Elf on the Shelf? Take a break this year.
- Holiday cards? Post a photo online instead.
- Handmade teacher gifts? A gift card is just as thoughtful.
- Advent calendar? Skip or simplify to weekly moments instead of daily.
Create a “Holiday Help List” for Kids
Give kids simple tasks that take things off your plate:
- Putting bows/stickers on gifts
- Hanging Christmas cards
- Sorting donation toys
- Fluffing the tree branches
- Turning on lights each evening
Moms don’t have to be the only makers of magic. Encourage your kiddos to be part of making Christmas special and teach them about helpfulness and generosity in the process.
Prep Now, Thank Yourself Later
Do one tiny thing each day instead of saving everything for the last minute:
- Wrap 2 gifts
- Order stocking stuffers
- Plan outfits
- Prep teacher gifts
Let Go of Comparison Season
You know that mom who posts flawless gingerbread houses? Celebrate her and then remember that your real-life, crumbs-on-the-counter holiday is just as beautiful. Social media is a highlight reel, but your home is where the real magic is happening.
Protect Your Time
Whether it’s parties, gift exchanges, or extra commitments, remember that no is a complete sentence. You don’t have to explain, apologize, or justify. Protect your bandwidth. Your peace matters. Speaking of peace…take a quiet morning for a solo Target run or coffee by the tree. Protect a pocket of time that refuels you because the more you pour into yourself, the more present you can be for your family. Self-care is not selfish during the holidays… or ever. 💕
The season flies by. Slow down for the tiny things. Remember the little hands holding ornaments, embrace the quiet moments with the tree glowing, stop and listen to the squeals on Christmas morning and look a little longer at the smiles from your babies. When you slow down and enjoy where you are in the moment it truly does feel magical.
And, yes. you create the atmosphere, the traditions, the memories…that’s no small thing. But you deserve joy, rest, and moments that feel magical for you, too. Give yourself grace this season. Your family doesn’t need a perfect holiday. More than anything, they just need their mom, present, and that’s the best gift you can give them and yourself this season.
