Over the years, I’ve gone back and forth between stressing over every Christmas detail (and driving my family insane) and forgetting that the holiday exists. Literally. One year when I was ready to lose my mind as a short-staffed retail manager, I forgot to put up a tree, plan Christmas dinner, and buy gifts. My son drew a Christmas tree on our white board and labelled it “Decorate Me.” (Needless to say, Christmas cleanup was really easy that year!)
Through all of my Christmas season “mood swings,” I’ve learned one important thing: Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect.
That might not be what society tells us, but it’s true.
‘Tis the season when we’re inundated with Christmas marketing: sales pitches, Pinterest-perfect DIYs, Instagram-worthy trees and tablescapes. If you believe popular media and holiday guides, you may think that everything to do with Christmas from the tree and decorations, to the food, and even how you wrap your gifts has to be perfect.
But that’s just not the way it is.
Wonky cookies taste just as good. Handmade ornaments with their flaws are charming (and make for great memories). Mix and match holiday decorations reflect your style, your family history, and bring back lots of lovely memories. A burnt pie or an undercooked turkey may seem like a bit of Christmas dinner disaster, but they also give you stories you’ll retell and laugh about for years to come.
Add to this the pressure to keep schooling (or to plan some over-the-top month-long unit study with all the fixin’s), and the holidays can become a source of stress rather than a reason to reflect, enjoy your family, and celebrate the coming of our Savior. Having been there, more than once, I wanted to give some encouragement and tips to help you have a Christmas you’ll want to participate in.
Promise.
To read more, head on over to Life of a Homeschool Mom’s Homeschooling through the Holiday series! I’m thrilled to be guest posting on her site. In this post you’ll find holiday sanity tips, ways to keep your kids happy and learning through the holidays, and a free printable you’ll love!
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