Y’all, let me just start by saying this was one of the best Christmases I’ve experienced! I literally climbed into bed that night and smiled at my husband like “I”m so full… today was so wonderful”!
As I reflected on the day, looking at the photos and videos we captured, I had to pause and put my gratitude in writing! So here I am sharing a quick recap video of our day celebrating our Savior’s birth, along with 3 things that have made this day/season special and enjoyable! I know the “holidays” aren’t over, so this will not only be applicable as the year comes to a close… but I also believe this is timely as we prepare to step into 2024!
1 I am honoring my capacity!
With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season… whether it be invites to parties, playdates, or holiday events… it has been super important for me to honor my (and my family/kids’) capacity. I was super intentional about what I committed to, and what I added to my plate. And to be honest, I kept our schedule extremely light. It was lovely! We were able to ease into our morning routines, enjoy quiet moments throughout our day, and created sooo many memories doing fun things together at home this season. This is not to say that going out during the holidays isn’t wonderful. Not at all. I love going out to enjoy the sights of the Christmas season. I also love my peace! And in this season with littles, sometimes the two just don’t mix. And my peace is a priority.
All of that to say, give yourself permission to honor your capacity, and don’t overcommit. It’s okay to reevaluate your commitments and adjust them to align with the season you’re in. It’s okay to keep things light. Don’t despise the slower seasons of life. For more on capacity click below!
2 We are creating new Holiday Traditions that fit our lifestyle!
In keeping with honoring my capacity in this season, going out by myself with two very active small children sometimes just isn’t pleasant lol. I recently shared that I don’t have a “just” lifestyle and I’m okay with that. I am not the mom who is able to “just” grab the kids and go. There is a lot of planning, and effort, that goes in to getting out the house with my little people. From checking menus for allergens, to packing safe lunches and snacks, making sure I don’t forget the allergy meds, to packing a diaper bags and dressing in clothes where I can easily and comfortably nurse my son… whew chi. I have to mentally prepare for those things. With that being said, I decided early on this year that I was going to find fun ways to celebrate the holidays at home, in ways that we already enjoy.
Fun New Traditions
We LOVE puzzles, so this year we did this Christmas puzzle together. My toddler was so excited when she asked if we could do gingerbread houses, so I spent two weeks finding allergy friendly ways to do just that and it turned out great! Check it out below (watch full screen to see all the details).
We also enjoyed holiday movies together with popcorn and PJs, and we totally loved driving around our neighborhood to enjoy all of the festive lights. And look! By being intentional about enjoying life at home, we have 4 new holiday traditions to continue over the years, and this momma isn’t stress or overextended! #winning
3 I’m releasing the “pressure to post” and be “Pinterest perfect”
This is such a real thing. And if you’re not careful it can consume your life… especially during the holidays. Scrolling through your feed, or popping on to Pinterest to find a recipe or holiday inspiration… one can’t help but see images of the perfect table scape, perfectly flocked and decorated trees, and outdoor decor that will make your heart smile and race as you try to think of what you can do this year to “keep up” (oh, just me… okay!). Now I know this is not always the case. And I know not everyone is falling prey to the caparison trap or pressures of social media, but I know MYSELF. And I’ve had to be super intentional about what I consume, and what pressures I allow to consume me.
So I took a beautiful break from social media/Instagram for most of the season, and it was soooo good for ME. I was more present with my children, husband and loved ones… and quite frankly, I didn’t feel the pressure to keep up with the trends, post “perfect” content or force my littles to fit into this “Pinterest perfect” video/photo box.
Now did I take photos and videos, and capture those special moments we shared over the past month? Yes! There are two videos in this post of just that. Capturing moments, creating content and posting on social media is not bad. It’s fun! Listen, I love creating content and videos to share. But I’m no longer pressed to make it look a certain way. Nor am I pressed to do it according to anyone else’s standards, timeline or algorithm. And let me tell you… there is so much peace over here!
Was this helpful? How have you been enjoying the holiday season? Comment below and let me know!
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