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Last year, I found myself deep in the trenches of holiday burnout. I poured so much physical and emotional energy into making Christmas magical for my family that by the time Christmas morning arrived, I was too exhausted to enjoy it. I wanted my girls to feel the wonder of the season, but the reality was that I was a full-time working mom, stretched too thin, chasing unattainable expectations.
I carried resentment toward my husband, not because of anything he did, but because of the immense pressure I had placed on myself to create a picture-perfect holiday. I wanted every detail to be perfect, from the stockings hung with care to the smiles on my girls’ faces as they tore through wrapping paper. But the truth is, the magic of Christmas doesn’t come from perfection.
The Social Media Trap
We all want our children to have a magical day, but the pressure to live up to the idealized versions of Christmas we see online and in our own minds can rob us of the joy we’re trying so hard to create. Those perfectly curated holiday moments we scroll past on social media? They’re not the whole story.
While creating holiday traditions, we have to ask ourselves: Are we setting our kids up with unrealistic expectations for their own futures? Are we teaching them to chase a picture-perfect Christmas at the expense of their mental and emotional well-being?
Redefining the Magic
Don’t get me wrong—I love the idea of decking the halls with boughs of holly and creating a beautifully festive atmosphere. If you have the time, energy, and desire to do so, that’s amazing. But if the process is leaving you stressed and disconnected, it’s worth rethinking. The memories you’re making should be a source of joy, not a burden.
Remember: kids don’t care about the “latest and greatest” gift or whether the tree looks Instagram-worthy. They care about the feeling of love, warmth, and togetherness. They’ll remember mom smiling over a cup of coffee as the chaos of unwrapping unfolds—not the hours you spent making everything look perfect.
Managing Expectations
At the heart of holiday stress is often the expectations we set for ourselves. For me, the pressure wasn’t coming from my husband or my kids—it was self-imposed. I wanted to look and be a certain way for my family, but that expectation was mine alone.
This year, I’m taking a step back to reflect on what truly matters. What memories do I want to create for my family? What traditions bring us joy, and what can we let go of? Taking an internal inventory of these things has already lightened the load.
A New Kind of Holiday Joy
So this Christmas, give yourself permission to let go of what doesn’t serve you. Focus on what fills your heart with joy and allows you to be present. Whether it’s simplifying the gift-giving process, skipping elaborate decorations, or just sitting down with your kids to watch a holiday movie, remember that the magic of Christmas isn’t in the things—it’s in the moments.
Because at the end of the day, the greatest gift you can give your family is a happy, present, and peaceful version of yourself.
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