I always look forward to the holidays. The special meals and the special family time are the things that really stick out in my mind the most when I think about the holiday seasons way back when. I always knew that if I ever had my own family, that this cooler time of the year (for us in North America, anyway) would be a time I would want to make special and meaningful for them as well. I looked forward to the day I could start my own holiday traditions. 

Even though I’ve always found the holidays to be quite commercialized, over the years, with the rise of the internet and social media, it seems to me that a lot of times, these special seasons of the year have to potential to become a competition about who can have to the most swoon-worthy table spread and can gift the best items. It is so easy to be caught up with making things so Pinterest-worthy, that outdoing everyone else becomes our focus, rather than focusing on those around us. It somehow doesn’t help that stores roll out holiday things in July these days.

Of course, this year is looking much different than years past, but I want to challenge you today to question your motives and to cultivate a simple intentional holiday season with me this year. If I learned anything during this last crazy year in a pandemic, it’s that family is so important. That, and I want a holiday season that I can fully enjoy, rather than stress through. You in?

Keep things Simple

As I said, there is nothing wrong with trying to make the holidays special and beautiful. But what are your reasons for it? Dig deep and ask yourself the potentially tough questions. If you were to step back from the elaborate holiday decor and dishes, would that lift a burden off your shoulders? If your answer is yes, then maybe it’s time to reevaluate your approach to the holiday season. If you know you throw away a ton of food after your dinners, why not cut back on portion sizes or the number of dishes to simplify things? Could you go with simpler decor that still looks festive? Does your gift wrapping need to be so extra? You know yourself best. Try cutting back on the excess and see that going the simple route is not so bad after all. This year provides a wonderful excuse to try it out!

Be Present

As I mentioned earlier, family has always been the most important part of the holidays for me. When I think back on past celebrations, I rarely think about the details about the decor and I barely remember the specific gifts. I think about who was there and what we did together. Spending time together might be as simple as listening to stories, playing a game, or preparing a meal together. In past years I have tried putting devices away to get some real quality face time in, but that looks different this year for sure. Be present for your loved ones, whether together virtually or in person.

Gift with Intention

Gifts are a large part of this time of year, but how many times have you caught yourself buying something for someone just because you felt obligated to get them a gift? I know I have. Gifting with intention goes beyond deciding what to purchase for someone. It may even require you to get to know someone on a deeper level throughout the year! Try to avoid buying just to buy and ask yourself these questions: Why did I choose this particular gift? Will my recipient value this gift? How can I make this a meaningful experience? Not only will you be less likely to find your gift in the donation pile a few months out, but both you and the recipient will also feel better about your gift!

Related: An Aspiring Minimalist’s Guide to Gifts

Start Meaningful Traditions - And Eliminate Some If Needed

Traditions are a fantastic way to make the holidays intentional - they are also a great way to stress us out. Traditions don’t have to be elaborate and they shouldn’t cause us stress. If you don’t care for heading out early for Black Friday sales or if DIY Advent Calendars are making you dread the season, rest assured that there is no rule that says you need to do them! Traditions can be as simple as spending an evening together reading or making cookies together. Maybe you always take a family photo or break out the craft supplies and create ornaments together - possibly even while wearing matching pajamas. Traditions are important as well as meaningful, but make sure they bring you and your family joy!

Allow Yourself to Say No

Do not feel obligated to say yes to every gift exchange, cookie swap, and holiday zoom party of the season. Do not feel obligated to host every festivity either! Of course, refuse tactfully in order to not hurt any feelings - or offer an alternative if appropriate to do so. 

Incorporate Service

The holiday season is the perfect time to remember those who are less fortunate than you. Why not incorporate some community service into your traditions? Take some treats to those who have to work on the holidays, volunteer at a soup kitchen, put together a care package for shut-ins, invite over students who weren’t able to make it home, center your gift-giving around charity - the possibilities are endless.

Cultivate Gratefulness

Being thankful for what you have is a sure way to enjoy your holidays more. When we reflect on what we do have rather than what we don’t, it puts a more positive perspective on life and the holidays. Teach your little ones gratefulness early on so that it becomes second nature - and if you’re not as young anymore, that’s okay too! The more you practice, the easier and more natural it becomes!

Make Christ the Center

This may seem cliché, and you’ve heard it dozens of times, but making Christ the center of everything is the key to true joy. The same is true during the holidays. When Christ is the center of our lives, old baggage and scars from family hurt seem trivial, we are more willing to give, and we are less likely to allow comparison to be the thief of our joy. We are content when Christ is sincerely the center of our lives, and we will truly see others the way He does - as someone to love unconditionally even more than our own lives and comforts. Doesn’t that sound like the best foundation for a truly meaningful holiday season and life?