So….here we are…here come the holidays! With three kids in tow for the holiday season, at times it feels as if I can never accomplish anything, and that all the things I have planned or wanted to do, quite frankly just do not get done. I would wonder how to stay sane during the holidays; it seemed impossible.

I used to be one of “those” moms; one of those mythical, unicorn-type moms that Pinterest everything, every holiday, every special event…literally everything. But I learned after about five years into being a parent that my amazing ideas were just that…ideas. I would drive myself crazy with my lists, obligations I felt I had to keep, ideas I had, and trying to keep everyone happy and making amazing Hallmark-movie-type memories. It was a valiant effort on my part but I had to learn to scale it back in every way. It was too much all the time.

I know many of us mommas can totally relate to this. We all want our kids to have the most magical holiday memories to look back on. The thing is—all of our kids will. Regardless of what your “magical holiday” ends up looking like, your child will love it. Through the years, even when I went super crazy with décor, cooking, baking, buying, planning, they always like the simple stuff the best.

When children have less, they appreciate more. Seems logical. Makes sense. Through the years, I have learned a few things that are important to me and my family as we enter the holiday season and slowly ride into the chaos and expensive time of year for us, which is ALSO birthday season for all five members of our family! 

How to Stay Sane During the Holidays

What I try to remember is the true meaning of these holidays. I think it is super easy to get caught up with, “Oh my gosh, it is Halloween, gotta shop and decorate, then here comes Thanksgiving before we know it; oh family coming over, gotta cook, cook, cook! Then Christmas around the corner, you know that means cook, bake, buy, give, clean, decorate, buy, buy, buy!”

So for us, we focus on the meaning of the holidays and then incorporate that into our own lives, family, and community. For my family, with all holidays, we think about how we can give back in some sort of way. You can donate toys, gifts, electronics, clothes, food to your local food pantries, hospitals, orphanages, or give to a family that needs a little helping hand this time of year. A few other places that could benefit from your giving spirit: nursing homes, the elderly, the homeless, and anything for the military and our veterans. 

Another thing we do year to year to keep our traditions going is baking certain special goodies, things my own mother cooked and baked with me when I was little. It is a way to honor my sweet momma and also make a connection for my children between their Gigi and themselves. During Christmas time, we also always decorate a gingerbread house. It really is a fun family time. No video games, minimal bickering, all family members can and WILL participate with a good attitude and a smile, including Dad! It is a good time for all. We also, much like you all, do the typical crafts, Christmas light tours, and Santa photos. We do our best to incorporate the “typical Collin County” activities each year and also do some different things that are unique to our family.

I think the key for us is not overdoing it. I could pack them into activities everyday but they would get one irritable, exhausted momma eventually, so I try and limit. This holiday season I am going to stop and live in the moment more. Soak up that 5 minutes extra with my ever-growing, sweet hearted 11 year old middle school son or give my girl 10 minutes to watch her come up with her own recipe or watch my little 3 year old decorate a Christmas cookie and watch the way his little hands pick up things and place them ever so gently haha! These are some little things that are so fleeting, so for me, I want to soak up every moment and if I rush it all, I will miss it all.

Once I cut back on the expectations I put on myself, I have noticed a more happier me. You do what you can, but enjoy everything while you do it. hings can change, people will pass away, life happens. Enjoy the moments and memories a little more. All of us can still go decorating and Pinterest crazy but maybe stop a little to sit and just soak up the moment and then move onto your next holiday craft or cooking project.

The holidays are all about family and friends, no matter how many you have or wish you had; be grateful for all the people you share you life with. This holiday season, let’s remember to be grateful, have a servant’s heart, make lots of memories, and just love and live in the moment. Breathe, have fun, and take lots of pictures. And let’s hope for SNOW!