A weight of expectation?
I love the Christmas season. But it can be hard not to get lost in the pre-Christmas busyness, can’t it?
Many of us have such an almighty list of things that we need to get done this December; gifts to buy, lights to hang, homes to decorate, meals to prepare, cards to send, parties to organise, family to host, and more…
But when there’s always more to do, we can end up losing any real sense of joy in the season.
It’s too easy to buy into the pressure of creating ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ by cramming in lots of ‘extra’ festive activities in search of those festive feels. But as good as visits to Santa’s grottos and Christmas markets and classes on making home-crafted wreaths or that perfect Christmas cake might be, too often when we try to do ‘all the things’, we end up moving at such a pace that we fail to pause and appreciate it all.
So if like me, you’re already feeling a bit overwhelmed by the weight of expectation in this coming season, or fear that the main focus is already slipping away, then fear not...
Choosing another way
If you can relate to this at all, why not join me in pausing for a moment to consider these words of Jesus, which cut right to the very heart of the matter:
‘What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet forfeit their soul?’ (Mark 8: 36)
I absolutely love this verse because it reminds me that it doesn’t actually matter how pretty my house looks, how happy my family appears from the outside, or how much cool stuff I give or receive or do this Christmas time, if it costs me my peace or the health of my soul in the process. That is simply too high a price to pay.
That’s why this Christmas I have decided that ‘perfect’ is so over-rated, and that ‘good enough’ will do just fine. In fact, it’s more than fine, if it means I can finish December without feeling over-burdened, stretched too thinly, burnt out emotionally, or disappointed because I’ve ended up missing the main point…
My Manifesto
This Christmas I want to be more intentional in living out the values that I really believe in during this festive season, including:
Giving over Consuming
Thankfulness over Desire
People over Things
Joy Over Striving & Stress
Authenticity over Perfection
Truth over Hype
Peace over Distraction
Rest over Busyness
Quality over Quantity or Excess
12 Simple Soul- Saving Ideas for Christmas
Here’s my short blog with 12 soul-saving solutions for a slower, simpler and more soulful Christmas this year.
1. Cut back on gifts
Since our extended family has grown a lot over the past few years with more kids, we have begun to agree a maximum budget spend between family members, and now organise a ‘secret santa’ amongst the adults, so that everyone gets one main gift they want, rather than lots of stuff they don’t need.
2. Invest in memories rather than stuff
We’ve also intentionally agreed to cut back on gifts slightly, in order to invest some money on family days out together. Because the truth is that no one needs more clutter stuffed into their lives, but everyone needs more quality time making memories with loved ones!
3. Choose quality over quantity
Try choosing quality over quantity when it comes to gifts. It’s much better for our wallets and for our planet to buy a few things that you really want and will last for years, than buying lots of things to open on Christmas morning which will probably never get played with again!
4. Buy local and ethical
Why not think outside the box when it comes to Christmas gift shopping by finding ways to support small, local and independent businesses? Even if the convenience of online shopping is your bag (it’s mine too!) there’s still plenty of ethical alternatives to Amazon. Not On The Highstreet, Etsy.com, and CheerfullyGiven.com are all good places to start!
5. Shop second-hand
Another easy way to curb some excess, is to consider shopping second-hand. Buying a new bike or scooter or dolls pram for your kids? Why not try eBay, Facebook Marketplace or other local sites first? Looking for something unique? How about starting with some charity shops or vintage markets? Not only is it better for the environment, but with so many families and businesses under financial pressure, it’s also a cheaper option too.
6. Do a Secret Santa alternative
Instead of wasting money on a Secret Santa amongst friends or work colleagues, why not agree to donate the amount you would have each spent to a good cause instead? Buy some goats for a village in the developing world, or make a donation to a local homeless charity. How great to be able to make a difference to someone’s life, rather than just spending a tenner on junk?
7. Start with giving
We also try to start the season with some simple acts of giving that we can do with our son to help him learn that Christmas is not just all about the toys he wants to get! For example, this year we are planning to make some Christmas cookies and drop them round to our neighbours, and buying extra food during a supermarket shop to donate to our local foodbank.
8. Make some extra space
We also always try to make some extra pre-Christmas space in our home by having a good clear out and taking some bags of old clothes and toys to a local charity shop, where it can be recycled or shared with other families in need. I find this practice of letting go of things I no longer use, not only makes more space in my home but also in my heart.
9. Re-write the rules
With so many extra parties and events to pay out for in December, why not consider some more inclusive and less expensive ideas that reduce the financial burden on everyone? For example, try planning a girls night in over takeaways and games, instead of an expensive evening meal out with friends. Quality time with family and friends doesn’t need to cost a lot.
10. Choose people over perfection
It’s easy to get drawn into the lie that ‘everything has to be perfect’ at Christmas time, but this year I really want to choose quality time with people over all that hustle and hard work. And in order to really come away rested and feeling like I’ve had chance to relax and enjoy the season, that might mean letting some of the small stuff slide for a few days…
11. Spend time in the Christmas story
It’s easy to get so busy and distracted in December, that we forget to spend any time actually reading and reflecting on the first Christmas story during advent. So this year I will be reading a daily advent devotional study with some friends, and also working through the Christmas story as bedtime reading with my son too. You can check out my recent blog on Making Advent Meaningful for more ideas.
12. Practice daily gratitude
As a way of combatting the effects of the endless marketing assault which is this season, I have also begun keeping a daily gratitude list in my journal or on my phone notes, recording three things that I am grateful for each day before I go to sleep. I plan to do this every day throughout the advent season. Why not try it too?
A final thought
I appreciate that none of this thinking is particularly revolutionary or earth-shatteringly new, but isn’t that exactly the point? Small, simple changes are almost always the most manageable to adopt and sustain.
Also, if you have any other ideas to add to this list, I’d love to hear them! Please do get in touch below & let me know…
I loved your timely words.... These suggestions are excellent!
I love this. Thank you for these simple yet thoughtful ideas. Especially spending time in the Christmas story and practicing gratitude daily. I want to model this for my own kids too.