Writing a post of this ilk has become a tradition for me. I find it helpful to sit down and list “good” things I don’t have to do at any given time. Understandably, Christmas is what has been forefront in my mind of late.
Everywhere we look there are beloved traditions and seemingly happy families frolicking in snowy meadows in matching plaid parkas while sipping hot cocoa and singing carols in four-part harmony. (Okay, maybe that’s just in Hallmark movies…and on Instagram.) Sometimes we feel compelled to participate in a seasonal phenomenon to better fit in with the crowd; sometimes we feel compelled to carry on an old tradition because that’s what we’ve always done. Either way, it can start to feel overwhelming.
Last year I decided I didn’t have to write a family newsletter to be included with our annual Christmas cards. I had prepared and sent a newsy update for over a decade but simply didn’t feel like doing it anymore.
I decided it was okay to say No to things where it didn’t matter if I said Yes. (That sentence makes it sound easy. I debated the pros and cons of each decision for almost a month.)
This year, forget about dithering over newsletters – I can’t even send cards!! Despite ordering them extra early and addressing them with care, most of our Christmas cards are sitting in a drawer waiting for the newly-reopened postal service to get back to normal. After over a month on strike…this will take a while.
I like to cross holidays tasks off my to-do list with lots of time to spare. It brings me great delight to cross out Mail Christmas cards before the calendar turns to December. But this year I didn’t have a choice and nothing bad has happened.
Other “Good Things” I will not do this Christmas:
- Make a family Holiday Fun List. I made a few of these when the kids were little, complete with fancy fonts and festive clip art. Eventually I learned we can still watch Charlie Brown’s Christmas, hand-deliver cards to local friends, and drink hot cocoa while looking at Christmas lights even if we don’t cross it off a list.
- Give people homemade baking. John buys delicious chocolate bars when he is in Finland and, for the second year in a row, that is what local friends will be receiving from us. I’ve decided I will not spend hours slaving in the kitchen cooking and cleaning and tying pretty ribbons on bags. Home-baked goods are lovely – and I’ve gone that route many times – but I suspect recipients would rather a chocolate bar that is shelf-stable over some crumbly cookies from me. And it takes seconds instead of hours.
- Buy matching family pajamas. This does not appeal to me in. the. slightest. I know this is a very common – and much beloved – tradition for many families. It’s adorable and you do you. I track down second-hand (thrift or consignment store) winter/Christmas pajamas and give those to the kids on Christmas Eve. They rarely match (but have occasionally, by coincidence). I can’t think of something I’d want to do less than try to source matching PJs?! This year, I’m not even getting the kids PJ tops. They always end up wearing random t-shirts with their PJ bottoms anyway, so I decided I’d save myself a step and some money and only buy bottoms. Plus, it’s easier to find bottoms vs. sets when thrifting!
- Make gingerbread houses. NO THANK YOU! The mess. The sticky icing everywhere. And then where do you store it? We’ve put together a few kits (that other people have given us, I might add; I have never willingly sought out such torture). Ugh. The kids sort of enjoy it, but not enough to ask to do it. It’s a very fun tradition for many families, but it doesn’t have to be fun for me.
- Have a real tree. Real trees are lovely. But artificial trees are great too. And that’s what we have this year. The world is still spinning on its axis (much to Belle’s disbelief).
- Squeeze everything in before Christmas. I feel like I often fall into the trap of trying to do everything before Christmas, when there is a full week that tends to feel rather Blah in between Christmas and the New Year. I’m determined to spread the joy of Christmas into the doldrums of late December/early January.
Your turn.
- What was your favourite Christmas tradition as a child? Now?
- Any traditions you’re mindfully opting out of this Christmas?
- What “good thing” do you do every year but secretly dread?
- Do you buy/wear matching PJs and decorate gingerbread houses (or Christmas cookies) every year?
Header photo by Isabela Kronemberger on Unsplash
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San
It’s good to say “no” sometimes, even though it’s not easy…. Mailing Christmas Cards is one of my favorite things and I would be sad if I couldn’t do it (due to strike), although it sounds like yours will only be delayed.
I had a very paired-down Christmas season this year because we had so much going on and I just didn’t get around to doing a lot of the things I usually do… BUT at least this year we’ll be traveling to see my family and everything else is really NOT that important. (I do miss not putting up my Christmas tree though, now that I have extra space and even a fireplace mantel to hang up stockings). Your house looks lovely btw 🙂
Elisabeth
As of yesterday the Post Office is open, but things will take a while to get back to fully functional. What I’m saying is…you won’t be getting my Christmas card until well after Christmas. Better late than never??!!
Can’t wait to hear all about the special time with your family. I am genuinely delighted for you. There really is no place like “home” over the holidays and it has been too long since you’ve been able to be in Germany over Christmas. The food! The markets! The traditions! <3
mbmom11
I didn’t send any holiday cards last year, and this year might be the same. I also stopped baking treats for the neighbors. I just don’t have the bandwidth right now.
We do gingerbread houses most years- our library had a gingerbread house activity for children. ( little houses made of Graham crackers, with lots of candy and frosting to decorate). However, I really don’t like them once home -they take up room and look awful once people start eating the candy. So I sort of dread them. They are not doing the activity this year , so I have a reprieve.
No matching PJ’s either.
I sound like the Grinch now!
Elisabeth
That makes me the Grinch, too. I think it’s easy to overlook the things we DO do…and focus only on the things other people do. Surely we carve out traditions that are meaningful and lovely that others don’t!?
So…I don’t feel Grinchy. Just…picky? But in a good, preserve-my-mental-health sort of way.
Melissa
We had my family over for Christmas last Saturday and so I’m really looking forward to just one celebratory meal on Christmas Day. We will just go to G’s sister’s for lunch and then back home for the night. We will drive to my parents house late on Boxing Day. When we have lunch with my family Christmas Day we then have to drive a couple of hours to G’s family and then back to my parents on Boxing Day for our beach holiday. It is just a lot.
Elisabeth
It is a lot!
A few years ago I decided – since I am now the one hosting the big Christmas dinner – to have turkey on Boxing Day (26 December) not Christmas Day. Christmas Day is so busy and it’s such a nuisance to be in the kitchen a ton.
We have meatballs, rice, and peas on Christmas Day. Everyone loves that meal, it’s easy to pull together (slow cooker + rice cooker) and it gives us time to try to fit in a Christmas-Day adventure of some sort. A little hike, a drive to a scenic spot.
Jan Coates
Well, we opted out of spending Christmas in Wolfville 3 years ago. So far, despite the 20- hour drive, no regrets about spending the holidays in Peterborough, Scarborough and the Haliburton Highlands☃️❄☃️ And you’ll get back to buying matching jammies once you have grandkids. I even got cousin crew t-shirts! Enjoy the season! See you at the gym.
Elisabeth
I’m sure you’ll have a very festive, noisy, hug-filled Christmas. Maybe even a tiny skiff of snow for the perfect ambience?
I’ve already started eating Christmas goodies, so the gym will hit the spot come January. It’s closed for the next while, so I need to make sure to fit in lots of nice walks. The weather today is glorious!
Sarah
I read a great NYT piece on assembling cookie boxes, and the writer was like listen, the stuff I bake has got to ease my stress, not add to it, and this was such a good frame for all holiday things. I am just refusing to stress about things that should be joyful this year, so I have Marie Kondo’d our traditions. Only the joy-sparkers survive!
Elisabeth
“Only the joy-sparkers survive!”
Ohhhh. I love this, Sarah. Such a helpful way to frame so many optional things in life. If it’s not bringing joy…why is it in there. And it’s not like my neighbours will be disappointed by nice chocolate!
Birchie
Less is so much more!
For me personally, this is a heavy time of year. It’s cold, it’s dark, it’s supposed to be a time of joy but it’s also a time of having to get a lot of work stuff done before the end of the year, yadda yadda yadda. I get a lot of joy out of the season, but it’s not my peak performance time.
Things that help: not going all out for our big family dinner. I used to make dinner rolls from scratch – but the thing is that they were fine but not better or really that much cheaper than just buying rolls. In theory I’d like to make 20 different kinds of cookies, but when you add up the time/stress of doing that plus the preferences of the people that I’m baking for, the end does not suit the means.
I was not Johnny-on-the-spot with Christmas cards, or I guess you could say that I was not crossing any picket lines in the strike. I’ll do cards soon, but probably hold my Canada cards until after Christmas so that the system had a chance to clear up.
Elisabeth
Other than making a turkey (which Belle insists upon; I tried to pitch everyone on going with rotisserie chickens instead), I basically phone in most of Christmas dinner. Boxed stuffing, canned corn, pickles, baked potatoes (not exactly a lot of effort), gravy. I do make cherry cheesecake for dessert, but that can be done in advance. Slaving in the kitchen on Christmas does NOT appeal to me.
Leslie
I know you’re not Catholic but I feel like you’d loooove the Catholic approach- take Advent slow and easy, keep it simple and prepare gradually; then have fun during the 12 days of Christmas, starting Christmas day! It takes SO much pressure off and is really fun to sit around watching Christmas movies when a lot of people are already packing up the decorations. 🙂
Elisabeth
I really do need to find ways to extend the season. Somehow, once the gifts are unwrapped and all the special services are over I just hit an emotional slump. Not quite sure how to break that cycle this year, but I’m feeling cautiously optimistic.
Katie
I always love this type of post because I really struggle with giving myself permission to skip things!
I’m not bringing any food items to family gatherings this year. Someday I’ll contribute again, this is not the year!
I’ve also decided baking is just for us. My 3 and 5 year old are enthusiastic kitchen helpers and it just grosses me out to think of sharing those treats with anyone else. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to sharing food with people and I would just rather let them enjoy the baking and be messy than try to control everything.
Elisabeth
Yes! Just because you say No to something this year doesn’t mean you can’t say Yes another time!
I’m sure your kids appreciate the opportunity to help in the kitchen so I applaud your decision to just let them have fun!
Nicole MacPherson
Yay we can send mail again! I have to go to the actual post office though because I do not have enough stamps. Welp, our cards will cheer everyone in the doldrums of Q1. I’m HOPING Q1!
Elisabeth
Yup. I don’t have enough stamps either and I’m mildly nervous about going. Will the postal workers hate me for bringing in mail.
I think I’ll wait until early next week and see where the dust has settled with some things.
Ernie
My Christmas cards/poem is the most time consuming thing I do each year. I won’t go so far as to say I dread it, but parts of it (like getting the poem finalized and having all family members approve it). I enjoy the sending and receiving of cards, and I feel so awful that your cards aren’t out in the world yet. I guess it’ll make for a little burst of joy later in the year when you are able to send and receive cards.
I’d say my fav Christmas tradition as a kid was buying our tree. We had a 2 story foyer, and one year my dad found a tree on the lot that was nearly 2 stories high. My mom was hesitant, but we were all cheering and saying “yes!” and mom caved. Up until then we’d put our tree in the family room. We shifted things and put the tree in the foyer every year after and it was always so fun to find a tree tall enough to meet our new expectations. On the flip side of that, my dad liked to record us hanging our stockings. He had a movie camera back when those cameras didn’t record sound. We had to line up in age order, march towards the fireplace, hang our stockings, turn and wave to the camera, and hang our stockings. Same deal the next morning after Santa came. Those are some hilarious videos, but dang – as we got older we found the dog and pony show silly.
I like to make Christmas cookies, but not sure that will happen this year BEFORE Christmas. So much to do. Coach does not buy gifts, think of ideas for gifts (unless I’m plum out of ideas and I ask him to come up with some suggestions), address envelopes, wrap gifts, check to see that all addresses are up to date, bake, etc. This is not new – this is part of how we do things, or more accurately how I do most everything. It’s fine, but sometimes a partner to share some of the duties would be nice. My older kids are good at running errands for me, and this year I took Mini and Curly shopping to pick out clothes they like so I don’t have to think of things. And Coach will make extra grocery runs for me if I need ingredients or he’ll stop at the store if I have a pickup somewhere. He works a lot of hours. If there was one thing I could change, it would be this: let’s do something together as a family vs gifts. Like, let’s all go see a Broadway show or something, and go out to eat instead of adding extra stuff. I’m really focused on practical gifts, but still. It’s a lot.
Elisabeth
That tree sounds amazing and such a fun tradition. I’m glad it “stuck”.
One of Belle’s friends had the tallest tree I’d ever seen last year. Well…they just didn’t have super high ceilings either, but it was still ENORMOUS. And it was so tall, it was actually bending over at the top.
Broadway sounds like an amazing Christmas gift! Sign me up 🙂
Jenny
Okay, I have a great one- making gingerbread houses. For, oh I don’t know- fifteen or sixteen years, we decorated gingerbread houses. And by that I mean I MADE THEM FROM SCRATCH. I made the dough, rolled it out, cut out the pieces using a template, baked them, put the houses together and then the kids decorated them. And by “them” I mean yes, each kid had their own (so I made two of them.) It was a beloved tradition, but so much work and I usually kind of dreaded it. Last year I said “Hey… what would you guys think if we didn’t do gingerbread houses this year?” I got pushback at first, but when they really thought about it, the kids didn’t care that much. We still decorate cookies on Christmas Eve, so there’s plenty of decorating to do. All I can say is- PHEW. I’m SO, SO GLAD I don’t have to make those gingerbread houses anymore!
Elisabeth
Jenny, by association, I am so relieved you don’t have to make gingerbread houses this year. Sometimes it takes skipping a year to realize that something isn’t actually that important to us/others!
Kyria @ Travel Spot
Fun fact: I have never made a gingerbread house in my entire life. Not baked one, not decorated one. Nil. I love that you are getting people chocolate bars; personally I would like that better than cookies and it travels well, so I could eat it when I wanted and not worry about it going bad!
What was your favourite Christmas tradition as a child? Now? We have an advent calendar that was made for us by my aunt back in the day and it has a tree with ornaments that you put up each day. I love putting up the ornaments and my brother and I used to take turns putting up the last day (the 24th) which is a handpainted Santa.
Any traditions you’re mindfully opting out of this Christmas? I obviously don’t have a home, but I have opted out of decorating for years, and don’t even have a tree. I love going to my Mom’s house and looking at her trees, and going out walking looking at lights, but I do not do either one myself.
What “good thing” do you do every year but secretly dread? I still send cards, but it is kind of becoming less fun as the years go by. I am definitely losing motivation to create them, come up with words, and send them out each year.
Do you buy/wear matching PJs and decorate gingerbread houses (or Christmas cookies) every year? SEE ABOVE re gingerbread. Re PJs I never wear the matching top, and we do not wear matching PJs, nor have we ever. My Mom does have some fundies (fun Christmas boxers) that she pulls out each year and dons over her long johns on Christmas morning, and my parents always wear Santa hats for the entire month of December, but otherwise there is no matching clothing in our family.
Elisabeth
Meh – you’re not missing anything with not having decorated a gingerbread house.
I love the idea of your mom wearing Christmas boxers on Christmas morning and it is utterly charming both your parents wear Santa hats all December!
Lisa's Yarns
We do not do anything on your no list! We don’t give anything to friends. Period. Full stop. But you know how we are about gifts… we are a gift neutral family – don’t give us anything and we won’t give you anything.
Favorite tradition as a child was that most nights, we would light the appropriate # of candles on the advent wreath, turn off the lights, and we would sing some Christmas carols with my mom accompanying us on the piano. It was a total Norman Rockwell kind of experience! My favorite tradition now is taking the boys to the Grinch at the Children’s Theater and going to the extended family Christmas Eve celebration at Phil’s cousin’s.
There isn’t anything new we are opting out of this Christmas, but I remain firmly in the “no matching pjs” camp. There is ZERO CHANCE OF PHIL EVER DOING THIS. I can’t think of a person who would be less interested in holiday pajamas… I tried buying matching pjs for the boys and me last year on clearance and it was an epic fail. The sizing was really odd so they don’t really fit either boy and the ones for me were not very comfortable. I am also mindful of avoid that “gosh I’m just so busy” mindset. So many people feel so stressed at this time of year, and I get it. I really do. And yet, I want nothing to do with that mindset. We can avoid it since we are minimalists about gifts. And work is not crazy busy around this time of year so I have more bandwidth. And I have a husband that helps curate the list for the boys and also buys some of the gifts. So overall, I am in a pretty peaceful mood. I love this time of year so I want to soak it up and not feel like a chicken w/ her head cut off. I reserve those emotions for other times of the year when I’m traveling like a madwoman/fielding tons of questions at work.
There isn’t anything I do that I dread that I can think of!
We try to host a cookie decorating party each year and it’s very fun. We didn’t do it last night since Will came down with pneumonia the weekend we were going to host it. This year we are pivoting from doing this with my college girlfriends and their kids to doing it with a family on the block. They are coming over on Sunday afternoon and I am very much looking forward to it!
Elisabeth
I don’t really do any cookie decorating. I’m not a fan of the mess that comes with making icing.
I think I would love that Grinch show. Our kids are huge fans and so am I. Watching the animated short was one of my all-time favourite things to do each December growing up.
I love that you’ve made the holiday your own and it’s not stressful and over consumeristic. Gold stars! It’s easy to forget that most of the things that feel stressful over the holidays at actually optional!
Jessica
I opted to say YES to sending Christmas cards this year after years of not doing it. I just felt like I wanted to and that may change next year. I also say NO to matching pajamas and gingerbread houses, not something I find enjoyable. I do enjoy looking at elaborate gingerbread houses though. I love your idea of spreading Christmas fun during the week between Christmas and New Years. I’m going to try to spread out some of our usual activities this year to make that week more entertaining.
Jessica
Your line “don’t give us anything and we won’t give you anything.” speaks to my heart! It also made me laugh out loud because it’s exactly how I feel but haven’t had the courage to say out loud to my in-laws yet.
Jessica
Ugg – that reply was meant for Lisa not my own comment 🙁
Elisabeth
My reply button is not intuitive. *Sigh*
Elisabeth
I am soooo glad we don’t exchange with most family members. I make a photo calendar for my MIL/FIL and sometimes send a small bag of coffee or specialty chocolate and that’s it. I know exactly what I’m going to do each year and they love getting the calendar.
Lisa’s Yarns
Gift neutral people UNITE!! We have pushed more on this in the last few years. We started with my parents. They have 11 grandkids to buy for. They do not need to shop for their 5 children and their 4 spouses who all are very financially stable. They were totally on board and now we get cash and a nice pair of socks which I love!! They could skip the cash but they won’t… which is fine because I would prefer that over trying to come up with something for them to give us.
Elisabeth
I think it’s great to remember that we can opt in/out of different things each year. Saying Yes to sending Christmas cards this year doesn’t mean you can’t say No next time!
NGS
I honestly just chilled with gifts this year. My husband wanted gift certificates, so I bought him that and some socks and water bottles for his bike and called it good. I didn’t even bother buying for my sister and her husband (like…we barely talk, I don’t know what they want/need, I’m over it) or even my mom. I’m going to go visit her and that’s good enough. Let’s call my hotel room her present. And this has been so good for me so I’m not feeling as panicky as I sometimes do. Also, my husband is going to be visiting friends on Christmas Eve, so that means I’ll have time to wrap and won’t have to sneakily do it while he’s in the shower or something. It’s been a pretty chill holiday season for me and I’m loving that!
Elisabeth
Ha – “let’s call my hotel room her present.” This is so true. Giving experiences (including the cost of traveling to visit family) is very much a present.
I love that you’ve had a “chill” holiday season. You’ve had a tough year and you really need a break <3
Michelle G.
Good for you, Elisabeth! All of the items on your list sound like good things omit this year. It’s amazing how Christmas can quickly go from fun to stressful because of all the things we try to do. Our family has been gradually simplifying Christmas for several years, and it’s been so nice. It actually feels more meaningful to me now.
I love how you say the world is still spinning on its axis! So true!
Elisabeth
So easy to go from fun to stressful is right!
And I think I become more and more deliberate about what I keep/what I let go of as the kids get older. That makes sense, too. Traditions take time to solidify and perfect.
Diane
We’re definitely re-examining how we have Christmas this year since I’ve had a really busy busy few months at work and then we are travelling. So there has been no tree, no decorating inside or outside, no Christmas light viewings, no advent, no presents for family, no presents for teachers unless someone already was taking up a collection and we could easily Venmo. And to be honest, I think we are all a little sad about it. I said to my Husband the other day, “But the tree is always so stressful because everyone is yelling and the kids aren’t careful and we’re afraid something is going to break!” And he said, “Yes, but the yelling and stress is part of what makes it feel like Christmas.”
I’m going to have to ponder that one for a while.
Elisabeth
You know…I think your husband’s on to something. I think it IS the whole package, including some of the inconveniences, that make the holidays feel unique and special.
That said, perhaps shaking out of the routines will make next Christmas (presumably at home) even MORE enjoyable?!
Jacquie
Traditions are great…until they are not. Like you I have never made a gingerbread house, and thankfully, no one ever gifted me one! I am also not into matching pjs, although am not offended or eyerolly about others who enjoy it. I have enjoyed baking over the years as I sent my husband and myself to work with much of it and and gave to our close neighbour/friends. Next year I plan to buy from a local bakery that makes up cookie boxes in packages of 16 or 32 that my daughter shared with me. The cost is probably about the same as what I would spend buying the ingredients and there will be less waste.
Last year I cut back on the number of Christmas cards I sent as I really don’t enjoy the task. This year I was super organized, cards were written, stamps were bought early, as I hate standing in lines, already attached to the Christmas cards, and STRIKE!! I handed a couple of cards to family in Victoria when I visited earlier this month, but was kind of annoyed by the stamp glaring at me, ha, ha! There are so many ways to communicate with people now that are just as personal as a printed card that I don’t feel guilty giving up this task.
To keep the stress of dashing between two houses on Christmas Day, I have my daughter and son-in-law over for Christmas at a date/time that works for all of us BEFORE Christmas Day. I feel a bit deflated after the 25th, so my only request is that the get-together be done before that date. We celebrated yesterday and it was a lovely, stress free time.
My favourite Christmas traditions are music and Alistair Sim’s A Christmas Carol. Music starts at end of October, and Christmas Eve is spent with Alistair.
Elisabeth
I agree. I can think matching PJs look festive, the logistics just don’t sound like fun. Or, really, that appealing to me in terms of aesthetics. I am so glad some people find joy in it, but it’s nice to opt out without any FOMO.
It’s really nice to spread out Christmas celebrations! I know people who race from one house to another on Christmas Day and it sounds stressful!
Sophie
We also don’t bake cookies, gingerbread houses, or wear matching PJs. I have started sending Christmas cards but only to family I won’t already see at Christmas and a few friends- not everyone I know! My fave new tradition is walking around our local streets looking at light displays on the houses. (This wasn’t a thing as a kid). My fave tradition from childhood is probably going to carols by candlelight, or opening up an advent calendar each day. I’d like to bring in both these traditions now my youngest is getting a bit older.
Elisabeth
Walking and looking at light displays sounds lovely.
My kids adore opening up their chocolate advent each morning. I’m sure your kids would like it too! One year I did it (Lindt, I think) and it was so special. This year I was too cheap. Gracious – they can be expensive!
Alexandra
With a big family (8 of us) we had quite a few traditions for Christmas. My mother had us programmed from an early age to do this and tat by way of decorating the house, helping with the Christmas cake, baking in general, and my favourite, getting a real tree and decorating it. Which was always a family thing with lots of noise, music, and finger food.
I guess my parents got good at organising us all over those holidays and making sure there were no arguments and tears. And there were always plenty of games and time out for reading.
Now, as an adult, with just the 2 of us, and the OH having a very small family, and one that doesn’t really have any traditions, we pretty much make it up as we go along. My SiL has us visiting her for Christmas Eve dinner, but that’s about it. We’ll have the MiL Christmas day. And no, no one will be wearing matching PJs any time soon.
The one other tradition I miss from childhood was the present opening ceremony that took 2-3 hours on Christmas morning. That was something special.
Elisabeth
I miss present opening as well. We always had to open one gift, one person at a time. My mom took notes so she could send thank you notes to all the recipients. We have our own way to spread out the time spent unwrapping gifts. It’s always a bit sad when the tree looks empty, so I like to stretch it out.
Alexandra
Oh, so you know what I’m talking about. Yes, we did the same thing. One year we would start with the oldest, the next year it would be the youngest who went first. It really built up the anticipation. Oh, and yes, Boxing Day in our house was letter writing day doing all the thank you cards to everyone.
Joy
Listening to my dad read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve was my favorite as a child. Now, it is attending our church’s Lessons and Carols service on Christmas Eve. Decorating the Christmas tree is my second favorite. We still get a live tree every year although the prices are so outrageous that the thrifty side of me is actually considering artificial. I’ve had a live tree for almost 60 years so I’m not sure if I could do it. I think *my* world would go off its axis. 😉
Not buying gifts for my grown niece and nephews. My brother wants to call it quits as none of our children really need anything. A couple of years ago I stopped wrapping stocking presents and it has made all the difference. Now, each person who is present for Christmas Day gets a couple of things. My kids are all grown so I can get away with it.
I don’t really like wrapping presents. My mother did beautiful gifts with elaborate bows. I always tried to do that too but a couple of years ago I bought stick on bows and never looked back!
Never matching pj’s and only one year of gingerbread houses but what a mess and stress so never again!
I love baking so I still make cookies, quick breads, and spiced nuts to give to friends. It’s fun for me. This year, I made vanilla sugar to give to my close friends and work colleagues. Easy and delicious.
I don’t do a Christmas newsletter either. I like to write a few sentences to friends far away but that’s it. Keeping it simple.
Elisabeth
Reading the first sentence in your comment gave me goosebumps. For me it was my Dad reading Luke 2.
For as long as I can remember, Christmas Eve is my absolute favourite day of the year. The anticipation. The joy.
I remember visiting my husband’s family one Christmas and receiving a stocking where nothing was wrapped and I was gobsmacked. Turns out…a lot of people don’t wrap stocking stuffers?! I had no idea. It would save me a lot of time, but I just love the fun it gives the kids to have more to unwrap. But I suspect when they’re older, I might take the faster route.
Vanilla sugar – that sounds intriguing!
Gigi
I have never made a gingerbread house and don’t plan to start now. Now Christmas PJs…my mom’s tradition (which I carry on today) was to let us open ONE gift on Christmas Eve and it was always new pajamas (for the pictures the next morning, of course). But they weren’t matching.
I now do the same for my son and his wife (it’s been over a year and it still feels weird to write/say that) – although they do match. The thought of trying to find matching sets for the whole family? No, I’m not doing that.
Elisabeth
I think it’s so fun to have a Christmas Eve tradition like that (our kids get to open two – an ornament and Christmas PJs and I think they like it more because they know what’s coming but don’t know what either item will look like).
How sweet you’re carrying on the tradition with your son and DIL!
Joy
Oh, I agree about wrapping them for kids. Mine are all adults now but I did it for decades before calling it quits.
Gigi
Oh! And I do bake for friends and family – but it’s something I truly enjoy. Plus, I make the dough ahead of time and freeze it, to free up some of the time.
Grateful Kae
We’re twinsies!! I don’t do any of those things either. I have never made baked goods to deliver to people, actually, I am borderline appalled by the idea of matching family pjs and it makes me cringe, I don’t like gingerbread, I don’t typically make a big fun list and I have never had a real tree! We still seem to do plenty of other holiday things though, so, I think we’re good! 😉
Elisabeth
I don’t mind the idea of matching jammies it just…doesn’t appeal to me. Either the aesthetic or the time OR the cost involved. I’ll happily pass on that tradition.
Yup – like you, we skip some things that are beloved traditions for others, but we really enjoy our Christmas celebrations because we have our own unique set of things we like to do. I think that’s what makes Christmas extra special – no two families celebrate it the exact some way <3
Stephany
I always love reading your “no’s” list because I think people put so much pressure on themselves during the holiday season, and I just want all of us to be able to ENJOY the season. I do gingerbread houses with two friends ever year and one of the friends is planning to move out-of-state next year and can I admit I’m a little relieved I don’t have to decorate gingerbread houses again?! I am so bad at it and it’s just not enjoyable for me.
Elisabeth
Why do we do so many things we hate??? Why??? Gah. I feel like this is the way it has always been and always will be. The saddest thing is when a parent or friend continues to do something they dislike because they think it’s important to other people…when all along the other people don’t like it either but are afraid of letting us down. It’s tricky to be honest without being meanly blunt, but sometimes I think we’d save ourselves a lot of stress if we told people how we actually feel about certain traditions!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
I used to be crazy when it came to baking. Easily 12 different recipes and 10 kg of flour…
In the past years I have cut back tremendously and only do 1-3 recipes. It is also much better when not eating these amounts of cookies.
Elisabeth
10 KG of flour. WOW. I am exhausted just thinking about how many cookies you would have had to make.