Enjoy the Season

It is so easy to get caught up in the demands of the Christmas season. With gifts to buy, parties to host, pageants to attend, school events, family gatherings, cookies to bake, wrapping to finish — and all the regular things you already do each day — it can feel like utter madness.

Take a breath.

Do this year… differently.

It isn’t rocket science, nor will it require divine intervention (for most, haha!). But it will require intention.

Slow it down.

In 2025, we super-impose urgency over everything.
We can’t wait for people to respond to our texts.
We rush our children out the door.
We zip around town like Mario Andretti — only to get gridlocked in traffic (or is it just me?).
Mercy, we can barely wait two days for Amazon to deliver a package!

We end up living frazzled, depleted, and wholly exhausted.
We make mistakes, forget things, half-ass tasks that needed just a moment more care.
We strain relationships.
And all of it happens at our own hand.

Rushing isn’t efficient. It’s costly.



This year, I challenge you to approach the Christmas season differently.

1. Plan

Take a few minutes — alone or with your spouse — and talk through the holiday. Don’t overplan or overcommit. Keep things realistic and fun for everyone.

Plan purchases, too. Impulse buying is what puts most people in the red this time of year. Use a budget.

Checking off a list is just that — cold line items.
Instead, get creative. Make gifting thoughtful and personal.

2. Have the Courage (and Fortitude) to Say “No”

If it costs too much — say no.
If you truly don’t have time — say no.
If you really don’t want to participate in the Stinky Santa event – 

If Grandma Gertrude wants you to eat another Snickerdoodle — say no.

Saying “no” isn’t unloving.
It’s your truth.

Respect yourself enough to act with honesty and integrity on your own behalf.

Don’t sacrifice your peace trying to be the salvation of someone else’s requests — especially when they weren’t looking for a martyr to worship in the first place. (Wink!)

3. Be Intentional with Your Words, Your Actions, and Your Relationships

Instead of checking boxes this year, be intentional.
Be deliberate with your time. Make heart-filtered, conscious decisions.

Listen more.
Sit with others.
Say “thank you” freely.
Smile often.

Write a handwritten Christmas card.
Play a game with your kids.
Have a meaningful conversation with your spouse.

These acts are game-changers — the stuff beautiful memories (and beautiful relationships) are made of.

4. Simplify. Less Is More. Always.

Even your kids will tell you this.
Fifteen to twenty minutes of your undivided attention each day of Christmas break is more meaningful than a tree flooded with whatever is trending.

Your spouse would probably agree.

Read stories to your kids.
Curl up with a book yourself.
Sit outside with your spouse, bundled up, watching the night sky with cocoa by the fire.
Walk as a family and enjoy the Christmas lights in your neighborhood.

Quality never loses to quantity.
Don’t be a victim of commercialism, posturing, or materialism.

5. Be Reverent

No matter your faith, this time of year is unspeakably holy.

Different.



The world slows down — even if only for a short while.
Music softens.
Hearts open.
Generosity rises.
Joy stirs.

This isn’t coincidence.

It’s sacred.

This is, I believe, how life was meant to be lived.

We are made for love and community.
We are made to steward our time, gifts, and desires — the soul of our creativity.
Life is about gathering with family, savoring simple moments, caring for those who have less.

Tenderness, hope, joy, and gratitude move through every conversation.

This season is like no other.
For this reason, Christmas is holy and sacred.

Be reverent, above all things.

In doing so, this may be your best Christmas ever —
and for your joy, I pray that it is.

This holy season, from my heart to yours…
Merry Christmas, my friend.