{KISS} the Holiday Rat Race Goodbye

It’s only December 3rd and already I’m feeling it. You know…the calendar filling up as fast as my tummy is {what with all the treats flowing in}. I want to do it up, I really do. But not at the expense of my personal peace.

Remember that old adage KISS – keep it simple, stupid? The word stupid implies that, should we not heed this advice we are, in fact, dumb. Ya think?!

Every year I think of ways I’m going to keep it simple. Minimal decor…3 gifts per child…limited activities… But the truth is, with everyone in our sphere wanting to enjoy the holidays and having their own personal favorite events, it’s tough to simplify. And for someone who loves to give gifts {and get them, it’s my love language}, it’s hard to not go crazy in my favorite stores. But just like anything else in life, simplicity requires intention, discipline and planning.

It’s not too late to {KISS} the holiday rat race goodbye. Here are 4 ways you can choose to be intentional about sleeping in heavenly peace this Christmas season:

1. Do what means the most to you and yours. For me, it’s tough to plan two separate cookie baking days with each side of my family. But cookie baking means so much to all of us. So there’s no question. Something else can go. I’m not giving up my time to paint sugar cookies with my niece and sister-in-law nor will I forfeit the Italian cookie baking day we set aside yearly with my mom. What’s your heart’s most treasured tradition?

2. Budget your money AND your time. Sit down now with your spouse and children and decide what’s what. Get out the calendar and plan. Leave space for down time and spontaneous surprises {like jumping in the car with your PJs to drive around and look at Christmas lights} but plan out everything else.  What do you need to leave room for this year? 

3. Have a strategy for gift-giving. Don’t think because you turned the calendar page to December that it’s too late. Talk with your spouse about what you want your gift-giving to be about. We’ve chosen to do the gold, frankincense and myrrh 3 gift tradition. It’s worked well to establish early on with our kids that their wants should be limited and their gifts will be purposeful. It also helps their mama who would otherwise go crazy buying them things they don’t need. This limitation frees up money in the budget allowing us to give to programs such as Operation Christmas Child or Angel Tree. We absolutely love the tradition of involving our kids in purchasing gifts for others. What do you need to give this year?

4. Keep Jesus at the center of it all. Whether you do this through an Advent journey {I hope you will be joining us on ours – details to come} or through reading the Christmas story a few times throughout the month, keeping HIM front and center will bring balance. . .after all, he is the Prince of Peace. Where is Jesus in the midst of it all for you?

{KISS} KEEP IT SIMPLE SISTER!

Don’t be afraid to say NO this season. Saying “no” to that event or expense may very well be saying “yes” to a peaceful and Christ-centered Christmas.

How do you purpose to keep the holidays simple in your family?