This past week, we hosted my in-laws (including 9 kids between us all) just a week after moving into our new house—because why not add a little extra chaos to the mix, right? But with  Thanksgiving in the rearview, it's officially time to go all-in on Christmas  🎄. And if you’re already feeling the holiday pressure, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with some tips, tricks, and must-haves to help make this season a little smoother.

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• Stop “Shoulding” on Your Holidays: Unwrap the Joy, Ditch the Guilt

• Keeping It Simple: Christmas Traditions That Won’t Drive You Nuts

• "Is Santa Real?" How to Handle That Question

MENTAL HEALTH

Sleigh the shoulds.

Ah, the holiday season—a time for joy, laughter, and an overwhelming mental checklist of “shoulds” that leave you feeling more stressed than merry. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

“I should find the perfect gift for everyone.”
“I should maintain my weight despite the holiday cookies.”
“I should never lose my temper with the kids.”
“I should feel nothing but peace and joy on Christmas Day.”

These “should” statements sound harmless, but they pile on the pressure to meet impossible standards, especially for parents who feel the need to make every moment picture-perfect. It’s not just holiday madness—it’s a cognitive distortion that mental health professionals call shoulding.

Licensed clinical social worker Carrie Howard explains that shoulding yourself creates a sense of obligation that isn’t rooted in reality, leading to feelings of guilt and shame. Essentially, when you tell yourself you should do something, the unspoken message is: “I’m not good enough if I don’t.” Ouch.

How to Unwrap a Healthier Holiday Mindset

The good news? You don’t need to banish “should” from your vocabulary entirely—just rethink it.

1. Ask “Why?”
   Next time you catch yourself saying, “I should host the perfect dinner,” ask why. Is it because you love it, or because you feel obligated?

2. Reframe as a Goal.
   Turn “I should stay calm with the kids” into, “I want to practice patience today.” Goals feel empowering; “shoulds” feel burdensome.

3. Choose Your Words.
   Replace “should” with “choose to” or “want to.” This simple switch transforms guilt into intentional action.

Let’s be real: No one’s holiday is perfect. By kicking the shoulds to the curb, you’re giving yourself permission to focus on what really matters—presence over perfection. 🎄

FAMILY

Yule love these simple traditions.

Let’s face it: The holidays can easily go from merry to manic if you’re trying to do all the things. From Pinterest-perfect décor to a jam-packed calendar, it’s no wonder we’re exhausted by December 26. But here’s a secret: You don’t need a million traditions to make the season meaningful—just a few that really matter.

Start by creating a family Christmas bucket list. Gather your crew and have each person contribute one or two must-do activities. Whether it’s baking cookies, seeing lights, or watching Home Alone for the 100th time, this narrows the focus to what’s actually fun—and not just what you think you “should” do.

Traditions That Spark Joy (and Not Stress):

🎨 DIY Ornaments: Salt dough thumbprints? Cute. A tree-ring slice from your real tree? Clever. Make it personal, make it fun, and—most importantly—make it easy.

🚗 Christmas Light Tour… in PJs: Load up the car, grab the hot cocoa, and drive around town in your comfiest jammies. Bonus points if there are Christmas cookies involved.

🧩 Family Puzzle Party: Set up a holiday puzzle and let everyone chip in when they can. It’s low-pressure bonding and a sneaky way to keep little hands busy.

🎶 Custom Christmas Playlist: Get everyone’s favorites into one epic holiday playlist. Whether it’s Mariah Carey or Michael Bublé, having a family soundtrack ups the festive vibes.

Remember: It’s not about how many traditions you have—it’s about how meaningful they are. So, ditch the pressure, embrace the simple joys, and make this holiday season one for the memory books. ✨

AND ALSO

To believe or not to believe.

It happens around age 8: your kid starts piecing things together—Tooth Fairy? Fake. Easter Bunny? Debatable. Santa? Uh-oh. When they ask the question, stay cool. First, find out why they’re asking. Maybe they overheard something or just need reassurance. Jumping straight to the truth could crush their holiday spirit, so tread lightly.

If they’re ready to know, focus on the spirit of Santa. Explain that Santa represents generosity and joy—values that don’t disappear when the beard comes off. Let them in on the magic: help wrap gifts for younger siblings or start a Secret Santa project for someone in need.

Still unsure? Try this: “Santa delivers some gifts, but bigger ones? Parents help out.” It keeps the magic alive while managing expectations (and budgets).

Bottom line: every kid is different, but with honesty and kindness, they’ll believe in the magic of giving—even if Santa’s suit is hanging in your closet. 🎄

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

Teen-approved gifts.

👟 Walk this way. The best walking shoes on Amazon.

📚 Need Christmas ideas? Check out the best kids' books of 2024 for your little bookworm.

❄️ Hair today, frozen tomorrow. Canadian spa's epic hair-freezing contest.

🌶️ Chili just got easier. Warm up with this easy turkey chili recipe.

🎄 Jingle all the way. 3+ hours of non-stop cheer.

Hey Mom Squad! ❤️

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