As a highly sensitive person, I feel the joy and the overwhelm of the Christmas season intensely. My children do too. Between endless shopping, Santa visits, and light displays, it seems like there are so many great opportunities to prepare for Christmas.

But with so many wonderful options, it can be hard to figure out what to say no to.

How many events should we attend? How should I shop mindfully for family and friends? Is it necessary to send out Christmas cards? How will I get everyone the perfect gift?

Here are the tips I have found helpful to avoid overwhelm and create a peaceful Christmas season.

Remember the Reason for the Season

This can seem obvious, but it so often gets forgotten with our to-do lists and frantic holiday pace. When you pass by a nativity scene or church, remember why we celebrate the miracle of Jesus’s birth. A religious based Advent calendar, Jesse tree, or gathering the family for the Christmas story from the Bible will bring everyone back to focus. The Holy Family is the ultimate example of beautiful simplicity and is a great reminder to slow our pace.

Focus on Family Traditions

We have found Christmas traditions to be a beautiful anchor while we prepare for the holiday. Our family cuts down a fresh tree soon after Thanksgiving. We also take out all of our Christmas books and start listening to Christmas music at home and on the go. We spend an evening digging through our ornaments and trimming the tree with them, talking about the memories and people they remind us of as we decorate. Christmas tree lightings and holiday light walks have become fun ways to enjoy an evening outside together, even in the cold. Most importantly, we meet family at Mass on Christmas Eve and begin our celebration focusing on the birth of our Savior.

Buy in Bulk

Consider what gifts may delight more than one recipient. If you are purchasing fuzzy socks and a Starbucks gift card for a friend, consider whether your child’s teacher would also appreciate the same gift. When you’re done, wrap them up and add a gift tag so that everyone is accounted for.

Work Together

Christmas cards have always been a stressor for me. There’s the labels, updating addresses, and stamps to purchase. Not to mention, choosing a family picture. I have found that involving others in this process makes it easier for me to get these done in a timely manner. I create the cards, my husband applies the labels and stamps, and my kids like to add special decorations to the envelopes of special people in their lives. Think about what you could use some help with and recruit your team. 

Ignore the Mess and Make Some Memories

Some of our favorite Christmas pastimes have been some of the messiest! Bring out the frosting, candies, and sprinkles and give your kids free rein to decorate cookies. No matter the final product, they will be delicious! We also like to encourage the kids to help wrap their presents. These don’t look picture perfect, but they sure are more meaningful. Involving our children in as many tasks as possible also helps them to understand the work that goes into holiday preparation.  

No Christmas season is perfect. All we can do is the best we can with what God has given us. As my children grow and start recalling Christmases past, I realize that it is the little things done with love that really matter and make the most magical memories.