Enjoying The Week Before Christmas

The week before Christmas can be stressful. This post is part pep talk and part sage advice about how to let go of the things that steal our joy and how to find wonder in the days before Christmas.

christmas gift

I had a conversation with a dear friend today that made me really think about how I enjoy the days leading up to Christmas. She was stressed. Her stress even had stress! So I thought I’d take the time and chat about this ultra-busy time of year! Let’s ratchet down the stress and craziness and ENJOY this once a year time!

TRAY OF PINECONES

I know what some of you are saying, I can almost hear you! I know you have tons of things still left to do. I know you have mountains of gifts to wrap and grocery carts of food to buy. Or I’m packing to go away and you have mountains of laundry. I know this because I do too!

Here’s what I am doing this week to help me enjoy the glorious week before Christmas. I’m making a list of the things I have left to do for Christmas that are definite musts. And only the musts will go on the list.

Like grocery shopping. And mailing the last of my Christmas cards out. And making that special sticky bun recipe to surprise Bobby on Christmas morning!

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

But things like organizing a closet or wrapping last-minute gifts to look blog or magazine-worthy are off my list! I don’t have time to be in the kitchen for anything but the most necessary meals and the sticky buns.

Off my list is making my famous sugar cookies. Yes, we will all miss them this Christmas but fitting them into my schedule would increase my already busy week. And who says New Year sugar cookies don’t taste just as good.

Off my list is cleaning the clutter in my office and cleaning the garage. I can tackle my office early in the New Year. And my often cluttered garage is nothing new.

Off my list is making homemade gnocchi for Christmas dinner. I’m using frozen gnocchi, and it will be fine!

CHRISTMAS GIFT

I would love a home that is completely organized and oh-so pristine, but my life is very hectic this time of year, like yours too! So, Christmas morning might find closets that have all kinds of stuff in them and laundry that needs to be done. Oh, well! But Christmas morning will find my heart and soul merry and peaceful and filled with the joy of Christmas!

It’s all about choices. I can stress myself into a grinchy attitude getting everything perfect (is it EVER really perfect) and be tired and grumpy and miss the magic and wonder and cheer of Christmas.

CUP OF COFFEE

Or I can do what is reasonable and forget the rest. I’ll be much happier, less stressed, and more welcoming on Christmas day! And I can really enjoy this special time of the year! And to tell the truth, no one will be the wiser!

I LOVE the days leading up to Christmas. The tree and the lights and the music and the holy feel this week has! Why should I rob myself of living every minute in the miracle of Christmas? 

And why rob yourself? 

WOMAN HOLDING A VASE OF GREENS

I’m a great list maker. Lists keep my mind on track and let it rest from trying to keep everything together.

Make a list of what you have to do today, tomorrow, and until Christmas Eve, and take a ruthless look at it. Cross of absolutely everything that is not a must. And add a few things you love to do this time of year instead!

Cancel every appointment that is not crucial until after the New Year!

The oil in my car can wait another week. And so what if I don’t know what most of the buttons and gadgets are on my new Subaru. As long as it drives, we will all survive until I can take my class to learn what cool things my car can do! I’m scheduling that for sometime in January.

And if your must-list is still a bit overwhelming, give yourself the Christmas gift of help. Find someone who can help you in a pinch.

Trade a friend for the help you need now and repay by helping when they need it. Ask your family to pitch in.

LOG SLICE WITH CARD

I promise you no one will know you didn’t clean under the bed or judge your messy office. So you shouldn’t either!

And so what ( I’m using those words a lot) if you tie a simple bow on a present. Isn’t it the thought that counts? Forget making those Christmas appetizers and buy a cheese ball instead.

Life and Christmas are way too short to be stressed and miss out on the beauty of one minute of Christmas.

Now, go ahead and start making a list and crossing things off. And do it while listening to Christmas music. You will feel that stress melt away!

Relax, concentrate on the real meaning of Christmas (hint, it’s in the name), and don’t miss one second of these beautiful, glorious magical days!

WOMAN HOLDING A HOT CHOCOLATE

FAQs about enjoying Christmas

Do only the necessary and save all the other things that are not until after Christmas. Delegate and ask for help too.

Make gift wrapping a fun experience. Call in friends and family to help. Pop popcorn and put on a Christmas movie. Remember: many hands make light work!

Give yourself a gift! Call in a service to help you clean!

May this Christmas be filled with wonder and joy and those you love!

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Merry Christmas, Friends!

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65 Comments

  1. Thank you very much Yvonne, you made my day!

    Love, Heike

  2. Linda Bond says:

    REALLY GOOD ADVISE!
    Thank you.

  3. Anita Cox says:

    This is certainly sage advice Yvonne. I do find as wives and mothers and women in general, we do create unrealistic expectations of ourselves! Our families will enjoy our Christmas and time spent together, even if we don’t accomplish all we set out to do way back in the middle of November to create the perfect Christmas. Give yourself permission to enjoy the season is perfect advice! Get your lists done and pare them back and prioritize! Merry Christmas to all!

    Anita
    Lombardy, Ontario, Canada

  4. Linda Wolf says:

    I was just going to look up a recipe for baked brie and fig. Forget it Iam going to buy a cheese ball !!! I ‘ ve learned to let go alot. My grandsons decorated the outside with lights and were so proud. Let’s just say it’s not the way I would of but they love it and that is more important. Also I wanted to say I love your Friday recipes! I know that it’s alot of work but it gives me inspiration!! Thank-you and Merry Christmas! Linda Wolf

  5. Thank you Yvonne for always giving so many of us a pass on “perfection” and focusing on the true meaning of this Season!

    Blessings on your week and Christmas!

  6. Thank you Yvonne. This is just what I needed a reminder of today.

    Merry Christmas!

  7. Mary Nell Harding says:

    Wonderful advice! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  8. I decided to stop the madness a few years ago. My grandchildren are all teenagers and are hard to buy for, so I give them money in a card. There! Done! No shopping needed and no wrapping. All the homemade desserts – nope! My local bakery has delicious sweets. I now have more time to enjoy Christmas and those around me.

  9. What a beautiful post this morning, Yvonne! I couldn’t agree with you more about your sage advice to cross as much as I can off my list during this over-active season. I adore Christmas and it is a lot of work to make it over-the-top beautiful, special, happy, etc. So often I have felt stressed and this has diminished my joy of the season. For the first time ever, I seem to be heeding your advice and it is a wonderful new tradition. Great idea for your post and good timing, too!

  10. Christine says:

    Thank you so much. Such wise words all of us busy ladies need to remember. Merry Christmas!

  11. Thanks for this post, because it’s helped me to accept that it’s ok not to stress out just because not all things will be done that I had hoped to finish before years end. Happy Holidays

  12. Thank you so much for this post! This is the approach I’m taking this year. I’m doing what I have to do to a certain extent, but I’m leaving room and time for a few things I WANT to do. My stress level is considerably lower! Merry Christmas!

  13. Thanks, I needed this post today!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  14. Karen Milholland says:

    Gift bags made my life sooo much easier w/ cones of tissue paper stuffed in (gift wrapped in a bit of tissue too so gift isn’t vulnerable to peeking. Discount stores of all sorts (including Dollar Tree) have pretty bags.
    And there are very nice gift boxes – some sturdy enough to use year after year or for storing delicate items. Just tie them closed so tape doesn’t mar a pretty design or pretty, plain surface dressed up w/ ribbon & pretty gift tags.
    And more & more there is talk of gifting experiences – dinner & a movie, sports event… something the recipient wld enjoy. No THINGS to return or find space for…
    Treat urself to sensory joys (things u love to see, hear, taste, feel, smell.)
    Or give to charities or causes the recipient wld like to support if there aren’t things they need.
    ♥️?♥️

  15. MaryAlice Hennessey says:

    I always love your posts Yvonne- thank you so much for creating such helpful and inspiring articles! I was wondering if you are going to be doing the weekly menus ever again? They were my absolute favorite and I have had so many delicious dinners because of those posts!! Have a wonderful Christmas!

    1. Hi MaryAlice. I have over 2 years of On The Menu post. Look at the top of the blog and find menus. Click on menus and find all of the m there. I have started a new foodie series on Friday. Hope you give it a look.

  16. Wonderful to hear these words…”cross them off your list”. Done!
    But I did add baking your cranberry orange Bundt cake….delicious and beautiful ( though I did not get to the sugared cranberry part, will try that for the Christmas version).

    Love your blog…

    Deb

  17. Elizabeth Shepard says:

    Thank you so much Yvonne! This has really helped me to realize the important things for Christmas.
    Merry Christmas!

  18. Some years ago, I read a post about storing christmas decor. At the time we stored ours in the attic, & I was tired of climbing the ladder & making sure the insulation was fitting tightly. I began storing them under my oldest daughters bed, since she was away at college. I measured the space, purchased 4 clear containers that slid easily under, easy to carry up/down stairs. All our tree decorations are stored in these containers now, so much easier.

  19. Heya.
    This is what I’m going to eat at Christmas this year in terms of food.
    Mince pies
    Yuletide cake
    Roast ham
    Potatoes
    Sweets
    Cranberry sauce
    Stuffing

    We will do gifts in the morning after toast for breakfast. Then we will go on a nature walk in order to see Christmas decorations and lights. After that we will have our planned Christmas lunch with some wine. For Xmas dinner we will eat leftovers. And we will play board games as well and watch a Christmas movie too.

  20. Oh, how our Christmas traditions have changed. We used to have lovely cocktail parties for 30 or so people when everyone dressed up – ladies in lovely dresses and men wearing suits. Fast forward about 30 years after a job transfer and losing many special people in our life it’s certainly different. That being said we now have wonderful grandchildren to fill our days with special outings, baking, and shopping. Today the little girls are coming to do some cookie decorating. I made a lot of cut out gingerbread cookies, and we all really enjoy that – even my husband. Messy? Absolutely, but such fun. Over the school holidays they will be spending a couple of nights with us, and we will be making homemade individual pizzas. Holidays can be very stressful on us ladies, but careful planning like starting Christmas shopping early so it’s done by the end of November, and then spending December baking with family, decorating, and remembering what it is all about takes a lot of stress off our shoulders.

    1. You are so right, about spending time with our grandbabies doing things that make memories and bring us joy.

  21. I love your attitude on getting rid of the extra stress we pile on ourselves this time of year. Just reading your post took some of the stress off for me. We can let go of some things. YES, lists are wonderful and it’s a great feeling to be able to cross each item off the list. I also just bought a Subaru a bit ago….oh my, I love it. We needed the four-wheel feature in the northern climes of Minnesota.
    Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday together!

  22. Thank you. This was a wonderful post!

    Merry Christmas!

  23. Yvonne,
    For me, this was one of your best posts! Sage words! “Women who do too much” need reminders that it is not just OK but it is BEST to not strive for perfection at this wonderful time of the year. The women of my church gather at the beginning of Advent for coffee and dessert and talk about ways to enjoy the season and not make ourselves crazy! It is the best way for women to support women!
    Merry Christmas! Enjoy your family and be proud of that store bought cheese ball!
    Nancy

  24. Amen! I just ran and got my list of 24 things to do today and crossed off two, thanks to you! I think I heard this idea years ago from you and I took it to heart. Create a bin or two of Christmas favorites treasures that on years when I just don’t have the full energy, to take just that bin out and decorate–it’s just as meaningful! Thank you for your blog!

  25. Breathe is my new mantra! My life is a list since I’m a practicing perfectionist! What has changed me this year is our new puppy. Decorating is scaled back, we aren’t going anywhere, we sent $$ to the kids, on line shopping is a must and hubby and I are just gifting each other filled stockings. Eliminating jobs on my list is a sanity saver! Merry Christmas to you! But, I’m still making sugar cookies!

  26. Cathy Gunn says:

    You out my thoughts into words, Thank you Yvonne! ⭐️Making special moments this year 💗

  27. Romona Beaver says:

    I so needed this reminder today! It helped me very much! Thank you! Merry Christmas Yvonne 🎄🎁

  28. This just made me relax a little! Thank you and Merry Christmas! 🎄

  29. Great advice. Thanks so much.

  30. Yvonne – you have been reading my mind! I was feeling the overwhelm and starting to think about what could wait – you just gently nudged me and gave me more ideas of where I can postpone the mundane and simply enjoy my family for the short time they will be here! Thank you for your very timely suggestions of what can wait and what is oh so important – family! Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and much joy during this wonderful season. Donnie

  31. I try to start early for Christmas. It helps but I still always have so much to do! I am taking some shortcuts this year. Such as not knocking myself out baking. I make too much then I am left eating it all! And there goes the weight gain! You just reminded me I don’t have to do it all to pefection!

  32. Starla McKinney says:

    This is an AWESOME post and SO TRUE!!! Thank you so much for discussing this, and reminding us to ENJOY this season. Everything you said is SO true!! Merry Christmas!!

  33. Thank you for this article today….I really needed to hear those words.
    So Ladies…. LET IT GO🎄

  34. Yvonne thank you! I let out a huge sigh of relief, and scratched off half of my to do list. What I particularly loved, I will make my very loved cardamon molasses ginger cookies after Christmas and my family and friends will enjoy them for New Years….Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your family. Looking forward to reading your blogs next year..

    1. I’m so glad this post gave you a little push to enjoy Christmas! I have so many things planned for the blog in the New Year. Merry Christmas.

  35. Meda Branwell says:

    Yes & amen, Yvonne! 👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 You’re right-on with this wise advice! Sending u many CHRISTmas blessings ❣️✝️❣️

  36. Yvonne,
    You are so right. This year I have enjoyed my time and hubby and I have had lunches and dinners out with just and and some with friends. I have cooked a lot, but I enjoy that. Oil change is scheduled for January.
    Have a Merry Christmas.
    Hugs,
    Bev