Holiday Hope: Preparing for Christmas & Navigating Holiday Stress
Preparing for Christmas & Navigating Holiday Stress
Today marks the first day of Holiday Hope: Finding Peace & Purpose this Christmas season, and I thought it would be meaningful to share my thoughts and experiences with you through a blog series each week. This will be an opportunity for you to get to know me better and reflect on how we can all make this season more peaceful and purposeful.
Our focus for this week is Christmas preparation and managing holiday stress. Growing up, Christmas was a magical time full of wonder, music, and tradition. It meant Santa Claus, long wish lists, Christmas songs, opening presents, and indulging in an array of sweet treats. I knew the true reason for the season—celebrating Jesus’ birth—but our family didn’t place much emphasis on that beyond a few church services and the Lord’s Prayer on Christmas Eve. We sang Christmas songs and attended the candlelight service, but that was mostly the extent of our spiritual connection to the holiday.
As I transitioned from childhood to adulthood, Christmas began to mean something entirely different. The wonder of the season gave way to the reality of the work involved. There was the decorating, the baking, and the seemingly endless task of choosing the perfect gifts for family members. As the years passed, I felt the weight of holiday expectations and the stress that came with trying to keep up with others’ gift-giving. I vividly remember shopping at Kohl’s, earning Kohl’s Cash to stretch my budget, and putting those purchases on my credit card, only to pay it off in the months that followed. The season was meant to be joyful, but I found myself consumed by the pressure.
When I had kids, the stress multiplied. We started the tradition of Santa and Elf on the Shelf, which added to the complexity of gift-giving. Our holiday included not just gifts from us but also small presents from Santa and the elves, who seemed to be multiplying in number each year—three elves and two reindeer, to be exact. I loved the magic and fun that these traditions brought, but it was easy to lose sight of the meaning of the season amid the flurry of shopping and wrapping.
One solution that helped reduce the stress was setting boundaries on what Santa brought. When my firstborn was old enough, I decided that Santa would only bring one gift each year, and it would be unwrapped. This small change made a significant difference in managing holiday expectations and helped shift the focus from receiving as many presents as possible to cherishing what we had. A few years later, we decided to prioritize experiences over material gifts. Instead of an abundance of presents, we began giving the kids a special memory trip during the holidays. The elves still made their appearances, and Santa still visited, but the bulk of our holiday budget went into making memories rather than buying more toys. We’ve made memories at Great Wolf Lodge, explored parts of Wisconsin, and even made a special trip to Branson during the Christmas season. These experiences were simpler, less stressful, and much more memorable. Even though my kids don’t get many gifts from me, they know they will have that one special Santa gift, and they receive birthday presents on their special day each year.
Recently, I had to have a difficult but important conversation with my oldest child about Santa and the elves. I was dreading the moment, feeling the stress of disappointing her and the loss of that twinkle in her eyes when she talked about their adventures. But this new chapter has given us an opportunity to connect in different ways. She now helps plan the elves’ activities and prepares Santa printables for the kids’ letters. It’s been heartwarming to see her step into a role where she gets to keep the magic alive for her younger siblings, and I’m proud to see her embrace it with excitement. While it may not be the same as when she was little, our family has found a new way to create joy and preserve the holiday spirit.
This year, we started a new tradition that I’m excited about: our Advent Christmas Tree. Earlier in the year, the kids painted ornaments, and I added Bible verses to each one. Each day, we read the verse and discuss the reflection question that accompanies the ornament at the dinner table. It’s become a moment of connection and mindfulness, adding a touch of Jesus to our celebrations. I look forward to seeing how this tradition will continue as my children grow and eventually incorporate it into their own homes.
The ornaments I have from my own childhood serve as reminders of what Christmas meant to me and spark conversations when we decorate the tree. I hope that, as my kids grow older and start their own traditions, they will look back on these conversations and remember that Christmas was more than just store-bought gifts; it was about the love, the laughter, and the focus on the reason we celebrate—Jesus’ birth.
As you reflect on your own Christmas traditions, I encourage you to find joy and happiness in what you do and to consider ways to reduce the stress that can come with the season. If your current traditions aren’t bringing you peace, it’s okay to start something new. The holidays don’t have to be a source of stress or pressure. Whether your year has been good or difficult, remember that God is always with us. He’s there in the quiet moments, the celebrations, and even the moments when we feel overwhelmed. Trust in Him, and know that He will guide you through whatever comes your way.
Wishing you peace, joy, and purpose as you embark on this holiday season.