Holiday Season: What Really Matters

Christmas is sneaking up on us again. It’s such a beautiful time of year, but it can also mean rushing around, heavy traffic, and—let’s be honest—a good amount of stress. It’s so easy to get worn out… but what a shame it is to let the season pass by without really enjoying it.

A few years ago, I felt a bit at odds with the whole gift-giving thing. It’s not that I didn’t buy gifts—I did—but often with a sense of obligation rather than joy. That’s changed over time. Now I actually enjoy the process: choosing something that will truly make someone happy. To make it fun (and avoid the last-minute madness), I try to get organized early, make lists, and set aside time to think through what would be perfect for each person.

This year I challenged myself to have almost all my gifts bought by November 30th. December is packed with fairs for us, and I want to be fully focused on work during fair days, and fully present with my girls on the others. I love the idea of heading into December without those pending tasks—no frantic last-minute runs! Of course, on fair days I’ll still pick up a few local treasures from fellow entrepreneurs.

Also, I must confess: I am absolutely hopeless at decorating. My daughters already know (and have accepted!) that our Christmas décor is simple and minimal. Thankfully, they embrace the mom they got—ha!

But honestly, I don’t think any of that should be the heart of Christmas anyway. In a season that can easily spiral into chaos, the best way to actually enjoy it is to simplify, get organized, and pare things down. And if we have kids—especially little ones—the real magic comes from the time we spend with them: slow moments, fun moments, shared moments. Decorating the tree together, playing, going on little outings… Those are the memories they’ll truly carry with them.

So my wish for this Christmas season is that your homes are filled with peace, presence, and of course… plenty of playtime.