9 Things I'm NOT Doing for the Holidays (and what I'm doing instead) Simplifying~Lower Your Stress! 

You are a woman after my own heart. This will be my first year to not have a Christmas Tree. My husband has been dead for 5 years and I thought I still had to do everything as before, but I decided a few months ago to not do a Christmas Tree. I did quite cooking for the holidays a few years ago. Instead, I get my food catered or occasionally I am invited out. Year before last I had covid and last year I had a friend that spent the holidays with me, and it was so much fun. I am 86 years old and live alone. I find good conversation a great gift. If you are younger don't forget about your old aunts, grandparents or just older friends sometimes they can't get out and would love a visit or even a phone call. Beverly

My idea for a perfect Christmas is a church service, dinner with family, and a few gifts for my grandkids. That’s it! No one is exhausted. No one overspends.

Don’t expect help with anything you want or excited about doing! I never had help and really resented the seasons until it dawned on me. Just because I wanted decor doesn’t mean others are obsessed. Either do it for yourself or let it go!

I needed to hear this. I used to love Christmas, but I find myself dreading it as I get older. I don’t want to disappoint my family by not going all out, but maybe a relaxed happier Mom would be nice for them too.

My daughter and I talked about all of this in the summer and decided we wanted to make Christmas way more less stressful this year. Her husband has 2 sets of parents so the grandkids have presents from 3 sets of grandparents. My daughter said it is way too much stuff and would like more practical things for the kids and less toys. I love her for this. We have also decided to have out Christmas dinner a week before so less hectic, then Christmas morning we can just enjoy the kids and relax.

I’m right there with you! I’m down sizing my holidays this year and I’m trying not to feel guilty about it, but it gets to be too much anymore. My kids are grown, my grandkids are grown and it all seems to be about the money. Just can’t do it like before, retired and on a budget. It’s time to relax now.

I'm with you, Tanya! I use to work so hard to make everything magical, when my kids were little and it did create wonderful memories. Now they are older and I just feel burnt out with the thought. It's just so much to put out. I need to scale waaaay back! Thank you for this post!

I appreciate your thoughts. I gave up cards a few years ago, very freeing. Our family has never done many gifts, when you are a certain age, I think you just need less in the gift department. Focus on the simple things and the true meaning of the season. All this said, I will continue doing my slim-line tree with mega amounts of ornaments and things from nature. Years ago, I thought the whole family would help decorate, but now I am happy to do the job myself. Things don't have to be like a Hallmark movie where everyone wears matching PJs at Christmas. (P.S. I used to get the biggest turkey possible and when my husband talked me into a couple of turkey breasts instead, it really simplified life.)

It's just me and my husband now, but I love to decorate for all the different seasons! It is such a mood booster. We especially love things lit up at night in the livingroom for Christmas...tree, electric fireplace, lighted garland. My thing is decorating for Christmas with red touches and removing all the red after Christmas and keeping a winter wonderland theme going until spring!

Believe it or not we had spaghettin n meatballs for Christmas dinner last year...everyone loves it n was so stress free.

I think it’s wise to honor our hearts …scaling back is ok. Different seasons of life. We still do a tree that we cut from our land but we only put lights up.

I love holiday decor but have scaled back. I use tabletop trees now, leave them fully decorated and store them. It's just my husband and me, we drive around and looking at the lights and holiday decor. I usually scale back on food too, but that's due to dietary restrictions. We see the grandkids on Christmas eve and have a quiet day for Christmas. Our traditions have changed but we enjoy this simplicity.

Good decisions , My best Christmas memories are from my childhood , Christmas music , everyone spending time together , some of my mom’s Christmas treats , a few gifts , lots of laughter .

I agree! I was tired of the holidays being stressful to the point I dreaded them. My kids are grown, we have no grandchildren, and my parents are elderly so we gave up exchanging gifts a couple of years ago too. Now we get together to eat and play games and enjoy it! When I brought up the idea of not exchanging gifts with my friends they were thrilled! Now we get together for lunch and leave the stress behind.

This is something a little different! Hope someone out there needed it. 😊

All I can say is.............HEAR, HEAR.....SISTA! It took me a couple of years to fall into this mode. Not sure if it was guilt to not accept lowering the craziness, or withdrawal from the nutso activities/decor/ gift making/ decorating, etc. but now I feel comfortable with my decision and the whole “Be Super Woman at Christmas” vibe. I also love the fact that you listed 9 and not 10. Love ya!!

Thank you so much for posting this, seriously… thank you. I was feeling the exact same way but felt like I would be letting everyone down. Thank you forgiving ME permission to STOP trying to make everything look and feel like a Rockwell Christmas. It never ends up perfect anyway and and I always feel let down and exhausted from trying soooo hard!!!!

thank you, u have read my mind, I have decided not to do some of the things that u have decided not to do, great minds run together.. my husband has never cared for Christmas and I have always been the one to put up and take down, no help at all, I have had some health issues this year, and I won’t be going up and down the stairs, decorate very sparsely and using so real and faux flowers, and go to everyone else’s house and enjoy their things, I am now 75, and can’t do what I used to do, there is no shame, I do want to go to several cantatas, at different churches, …. Jesus, the reason for the season!! Thank u so much for your words of wisdom.. ♥️🌹

You are so right. It's the 'Keep It Simple Sweetie' rule :) I live in a small 2 story mountain cabin by a creek and enjoy simple decorations. Too much stuff looks overwhelming and chaotic. I have a couple of 'year round' things that are magical to me, a small pine tree with tiny pine cones and lights on my hearth and primitive silicon bulb electric candles in the windows. I decorate a three tier tray for the seasons and add few other decorations upstairs and down.

I am 69 and I adopted most of these ideas a few years ago. We only buy gifts for the grandkids and give cash to the adults. We have downsized so I only do one full size tree which I still love to do although it can tire me out. Like you I love the lights so I have lots of those tucked around. We live in the country so there aren’t any good eating options around so I have cut down on the tons of food and all of us share in the prep and contributions. It all makes for a much more sane and enjoyable holiday.

My youngest grandchild is now 15, he couldn't care less if there are Christmas decorations or not. I put up 1 tall slender tree, basically just to hold the lights, my husband loves them. That's it, maybe a wreath and a couple of things on the mantle! I'm over it!

I agree with your 9 things I am so quilty of trying to please. I have stopped decorating to extreme. And food to please everyone leaving me exhausted.

Good for you. I’ve been doing this for a few years now. We host the grandchildren without their parents and have a wonderful time. Amazing how different the children are without mom and dad around.

We empty nesters reach a point when we ask ourselves why go through all the trouble and expense. I've downsized and lack space for all the decorations. I do pick and display a few items because I love being in the spirit of the Holidays. The last thing we want to do is be depressed when many are happy and excited. Same for the meals. Not much into leftovers. So keep it cheap and roast the favorite part of the turkey you like. As a Christian I observe the reason for the season.

Thank you! I’m right there with you! My husband just recently passed away & I can barely think of the holidays. Your advice is greatly appreciated!

Amen to all of these. I used to decorate, shop, bake (never buy anything from the store!) Cook etc. I was exhausted by Christmas day. Last year I said "enough"! I did decorate but I didn't put up a tree. I didn't bake a lot. I cut way back on spending for gifts. And I only sent a few Christmas cards to friends out of town who I dont get to see often. It was so freeing!! I was much more relaxed.

We skipped the Christmas tree last year and it was wonderful. We hang stockings and put out our advent calendar and a few decorative items. I love that it only takes 10 minutes to do it and the same amount of time to put it away. For gifts, we focus on edible/consumable items, especially things from small farmers and small businesses.

Haven't sent out cards for probably 10 years. Hubs and I both retired. Grown children and youngest grandchild is 8, oldest is 18. Gifts will be simple and most likely monetary. Cutting back on decorating is the hardest for me, but it is time. Great tip on the self care. More exercise, no sugar, less screen time and self care sounds great to me.

To me a tree is not optional... its essential. At 71 even if I eventually do 4-5 footers in baskets rather than a full tree, I must have a tree, and a nativity in my living room. I use to do way more ,but with age , and family and friends moving away, I do tend to do less. But by less, I still have a tree or string of lights, a Santa or Snowman in every room. I guess I really do it for me,because I can't seem to stop. I do agree with less food and excess gifts.

When I was younger, I always was a bit envious of my friends homes, etc. I realized there were two of them and one of me. I learned to be proud of my personal accomplishments and I was and am. I was great with a dollar bill. I have some lovely things and I did it all myself. I was married, but we weren’t together long. Funny, but generally as you age, you want less stuff. I know that’s where I am. Happy holidays.

We haven't had a tree since 2008 . I decorate for the seasons ❤️ I completely understand your thoughts and feelings. Not a scrooge either, I absolutely love the holidays and seasons

This is definitely going to be my plan!! I'm so tired of dreading the holidays!!

I spent many years being stressed out for the holidays because we struggled financially. Since then our religious beliefs have changed and no longer celebrate Christmas. I've decided to make Autumn family baskets. We have grown children with grandkids now. I'm making scented beeswax candles, simmering potpourri, fire starters and homemade goodies. We all downsized a few years before this a had a family grab bag. I must say, our grandkids enjoy receiving an Amazon gift card and shop for themselves.

Thank you for this video .... I'm exactly the same .... totally! Everything you say resonates with me. I have scaled back over recent years , BUT despite a planI always plan more of a simple xmas decor in our home , but when it comes to actually decorating ...... that's the struggle !! as I feel I have to put everything out I have collected over the years (& despite giving away Tons over the years too 🙄) but I'm getting better at it 😄 thank you again & I look forward to your home decorated as you have great taste x

Oh my goodness we are like minded. Not wanting to be a downer, truly just saying this for everybody else’s benefit. As a mom who has found herself literally estranged from her two daughters that live 20 minutes away.... Just enjoy the time you have with family. Family time is precious. The stuff doesn’t matter. I would give anything just for time with my adult daughters. I love your videos!!! I check everyday to see if you have a new one out there. Hope you have a wonderful enjoyable holiday season ❤️

U r so on it girl. I love all yours ideas. I too am not doing cards this yr. Love your decor and all u put on media

👏 awesome I told my grangrans I was only getting them 2 gifts and they thought I was cra cra🤣glad someone else broke down ways that I felt would work for me and my family thanks for sharing beloved 🤗

My favorite part of Christmas is cuddling up with my kids and hubby on the couch in front of a cozy fire. We can listen to Christmas carols and talk about Jesus as the actual true gift of Christmas. ❤ BUT with the exception of my husband eVeRyOnE in the extended family has a strong opinion about how our family should engage in “celebrating” a very commercialized, high strung, and sugar filled Christmas. I’m not sure how to navigate this year’s Holidays. I’m no Grinch but I really just want to focus on the real meaning of Christmas.

I agree completely. Keeping our time and pennies focused on the real meaning of Christmas! I’m not even home to enjoy Christmas at our house. Our children live out of state , so we enjoy Christmas decorations and food at that homes, in a warm climate, except the Covid year. Then I went to thrift store and decorated my house on the cheap. We did Christmas with our family via zoom. :/ Making lemonade (eggnog)out of lemons (eggs).😂 Secret Santa, we draw names for the adults and set a limited price.

Love this!! I just turned 58 and we are new grandparents. I’ve been scaling down Christmas for quite a few years now. I used to put so much pressure on myself to do everything, and do it perfectly, but I’ve now given myself permission to do or not do whatever traditions I want! My favorite is holiday decor, so I do ALOT of that. I’ve decreased cookie baking ( too much work, and I can’t resist eating them) and how much we spend on gifts. I wrap each person’s gifts in one box or bag instead of several. I do almost all my shopping online mostly in October. I never cook, my husband loves to do it , and if he doesn’t feel like it we order in or go out. My main goal for the holiday season is spending time with family and enjoying the moments. No pressure, just laughs, conversation, and cozy holiday home vibes!!

We have cut WAY back on what we do for the holidays. It's just the 4 of us for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and several years ago we scaled back our meals on those days. Still delicious, still enough for an extra meal the next day, but that's it. Our fridge used to be packed to the brim with leftovers, but not anymore. It was just too much. For Christmas, we still do a tree, but years ago we started alternating who decorated it from year to year. One year, I do either a complete Santa or a complete bird Christmas tree, and the next year the kids decorate it with all of their favorites instead. But no big garlands, no wreaths, nothing in any other rooms (just the living room). We don't send out cards - haven't for years. As far as gifts - we cut WAY back years ago. The kid join together to buy me a gift and my husband a gift. They also buy one for each other. My husband and I get each other one gift, and we join together to get each kid one gift. Plus I fill stockings for the kids. We also try to only buy our gifts from thrift stores, if possible. Not always easy, but we *usually* can do it. And we also get one family gift for use by our whole family. One year our family gift was a nice telescope. Another year it was a nice firepit. Last year it was an ice cream maker. That kind of thing. That's it. That's all we do. It has reduced our (especially MY) stress levels immensely!

Amen and Amen sista! To all of the above!!!

Totally refreshing! Thank you for being so honest. Love the intentional way!

Christmas is Jesus Christ…we celebrate and focus on Him! All of the secular is SO meaningless and has NOTHING to do with the real and ONLY meaning of Christmas!!! ❤

Hi there I absolutely love your channel but, and please do not take this the wrong way, I have a really hard time with your filter setting to so very white and muted white, it is hard for me to focus on your lovely videos, the clarity is just missing for me, and it just is probably my vision, I am so sorry I have such a hard time looking at them. I mean this in the most respectful way. Thank you

Since watching this video 2 weeks ago, I have had the word intentional in my head on every shopping trip, so thank you!!!! This validated my thoughts of scaling back on everything holiday. I am already enjoying the season more. I usually start day after Halloween on my Christmas frenzy. You put it so well to make everything intentional!!! God bless!

This makes me happier to know We are not alone feeling overwhelmed at Holidays. So glad you put this out there.❤ I enjoy all your videos and identify with you!

I hear you! I love the holidays and the older I get, the more I want to enjoy it all too. The 6 kids are grown, we have grands and great grands, I have a part time job I love and an Etsy shop, so of course this is my busiest season. This year I have reserved a community building, hired a caterer and ordered a beautiful cupcake centerpiece. Gifts are always done by September 1. You must be close by, we are a couple of hours from Silver Dollar City. One year, our Christmas gift to everyone was taking them to Sight and Sound for The Christmas Story, then out to dinner. Have a lovely holiday season!

Haven't put up a tree for 10 years.(read Jeremiah). For Thanksgiving this year, I already bought thick white meat turkey sluces. And they're waiting in the freezer to be heated and smothered in gravy. We no longer get gifts for our adult children, only grandchildren, and some just want money. Easy. For some odd reason, I've taken to crafting. I'm enjoying making decorations, but I don't know if anyone will see them, but I enjoy them. Haven't sent cards for years. We don't buy gifts with credit cards, so that limits our spending. Self care can encompass physical, as well as mental. I guess that's a daily endeavor. Thank you. There's a lot of us out there.

I hear you! Those have been my goals the last couple of years. Cutting back does make the season calmer and more peaceful.

Love your channel and your decorating style. My grown children demand leftovers after the holidays. They bring their own containers. Very convenient the day after when you are still exhausted. Have a wonderful holiday season.

Friends I haven’t been able to respond to everyone’s comments. But I’m definitely reading every single one of them. It’s just as I suspected. There are a smart bunch of (mostly) women in this community! I love reading about your plans and traditions, and how being more intentional brings more joy to (especially) Christmas. I think that’s the ultimate goal. To savor every minute with those we care about and to give glory to our dear Lord. Love to all of you! T

Thank you. This was very helpful to me today. I needed to hear it.

I totally agree with you and I was scaling back myself even not putting up a Christmas tree. And there is so much to see and experience at the Holidays then come home to relax. But then we had a late unexpected grandchild who is Autistic and unable to go out into the public celebrations which breaks our hearts. So I try to make our home as festive as I can since we help watch him while Parents work. He really enjoys it which makes the hard work worth it for me at this time but soon I hope to be able to cut back again and enjoy the surrounding decorations at other homes. Also love seeing your little Boston Terrier 😍 we have two bothers Bostons and they are definitely a joy.

I’m feeling the same way about decorating this year. I have tons of decor. I just don’t know how much time or energy I’ll have this year.

We do what we like to call nibbly Christmas. We start a list about now of all the things we don't eat during the year or our favourites and then we have a sort of buffet of nibbly bits on Christmas day. if it has to be cooked then we will prep it a day before or make it as easy as possible. I like my tree up early so I can enjoy the lights for the longest time. We have it narrowed down to a door wreath a small tree a decoration on the dining room credenza a sign on the hall table and a couple of festive candlesticks on the table, It all goes up and down in a half hour. we like to focus on going to see the lights and other events with friends over Nov/Dec. We too keep a budget and stick to it for gifts or sometimes forgo the traditional gifting in favour of some large thing that everyone would like such as a holiday away or a new telly or computer or somesuch. When we were children my parents subscribed to something you want something you need something to wear and something to read as a guide to gifting for us. Also father Christmas would bring some nice fun gift that wasn't over the top and lovely stocking usually full of sweets and fruit. We still do the same putting the emphasis on playing games with each other doing puzzles watching a movie or visiting out to see lights etc. We have no children yet but when we gift for children in our family/friends I do tend toward an event rather than some bit of plastic they will be bored with in five minutes.

I cut back on my deco too . I have an antique trunk in the dining room and it hold what Christmas deco I have. We have a few lighted deco I put outside. We are older and still work full time and it's too much to do alot of Christmas decorating. I always hated when it was time to put all that stuff away and now it's much easier with less

I agree, thank you for addressing this. I love Christmas, I do decorate and cook but in moderation. love this topic! cheers love x

you are so wise! I have felt this way for the last few years. There is just too much of everything, and I think the media is a source of making you feel like your not measuring up to everyone else. Its a relief when you realize everything does not have to be magazine perfect. My family will survive if there is a store bought cookie on the tray. I agree with everything you said!

I’m 58 and stopped putting up a tree. It’s just me and my husband at home and my single daughter comes to visit. I do put out some other decorations and stockings. I just don’t have the energy to do that anymore. I also have my daughter’s large presents sent directly to her house. She doesn’t have to haul them back to her house. I order almost everything online. I want to enjoy the holidays.

I totally get where u are coming from although I'm 59 and have felt like you have I think we forget who's birthday it is. I love decorating but I've had years I couldn't for some reason or another. There's no right or wrong way except stressing its wrong. I've learned to do what ever I feel like and that's that. God bless you and I hope others learn from you

Great video! I have been practicing all of your ideas for the past few years without any regret or guilt. Happy Holidays!

I understand completely…. But not sure my children will even though I’ve told them there will come a day. I’ve always went out of my way to provide the best… and end up at the end feeling exhausted and under appreciated. I will be doing gift cards, homemade gifts or goodwill finds, and decorating or cooking to my liking. Good luck and thank you!😊

Amen, sister!

I too have been cutting back each year I love Christmas I love the holidays I don't love being overburdened with all these things that I didn't really have to do and I've been trying to teach my daughter early that she does not have to work herself until she's ready to cry in order to provide a good day for everybody we can all join in we can all work and we can all have a lovely time. Great video thanks.

Good ideas! I am cutting down also. Now over 70 yrs old, can’t and not as interested in it all anymore!

Hey Tanya! Good for you! 🙂👍

Thank you for video!!

Love this!! ❤🙏

Great ideas wonderful inspiration I'm going to focus what is important and building memories

Great video! I’m the one who is over the top with decor and all the traditions. Many are gone and we travel to our adult children’s homes . This year we are not doing a big tree and my beautiful expensive ornaments and largest nativity have been handed down to our daughter in laws. Cards have been cut way back as our parents generation is gone now. I like social media for reaching out to friends and family all year round. I love to see lights and decor, hear music, and really celebrate the birth of Jesus!

While I do love Christmas decor, my home is pretty much decorated so to put up Christmas stuff, I have to take away all my regular decor and put it somewhere - so much trouble - so no tree anymore & I am really scaling back on everything else

Excellent.......Thank you....💕

Great ideas!!

Hi I do agree with you about everything. This is the first time I have seen your videos.

Ba Humbug Lol I understand everything you said. I have the most beautiful memories of childhood Christmas 🎄 my mom decorated to the hilt! Gift stacked high on Christmas morning after Santa had come. There were 6 kids lots and lots of presents 🎁 as we got older and left home we began a gift exchange all of us drew names at Thanksgiving with a 50.00 limit. Everyone received one 🎁 gift and we all brought a dish of food to pass. We had a blast. I wouldn't change those memories for nothing!!! Dad and mom are gone all of us have families of our own. Now it's time to create memories for our kids. All us oldies but goodies still have dinner together ❤️ with full on decor. Like the song says it's the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas 🎅 enjoy what ever you decide to do for me personally I love this Holiday season the most and for now will continue to full on dance throughout Christmas 🎄 love you!

My exact sentiments.

Great ideas

I was once where you are now. So I made Christmas super simple with no Christmas tree and just very little decor. After Christmas I swore I would never do that again! I’m 66 years old now and get very excited about decorating the entire house with 2 trees. I have time to do all things Christmas so I don’t stress about it, just enjoy it all. Gift buying was always stressful for me so now we just give to our grandchildren and they are usually just gift cards. I make about 55 Christmas cards but start very early and just enjoy the process. I look at it this way, I have a choice to do only as much as I want to and just let the rest go. Jesus is what the celebration is all about and the reason for Christmas. I count my blessings and am grateful for everything I can do! May you have a wonderful Christmas doing whatever makes you happy!

New sub here. This all sounds real good to me!! I'm all for enjoying the holidays and not allowing things to get out of control.

Love your hair! It is beautiful !

I agree with you 100 percent!! We are actually going to a casino on Thanksgiving day, they have a nice buffet and we will have less stress!!

As someone who is trying to declutter my belongings, Christmas stresses me out because I know gifts will be coming into the home and where will I put them? I will also be spending much less this year on everything. We relocated to a new state this summer and the budget is tight.

Super great video! 😃

I would add to that shopping year round, so when the actual holiday hits you, you can go in your gift closet and pull out the gifts that you already bought in say, April or even at the after Christmas sales (I know a lot of people do that if they have any money left over) and that takes the burden off of fighting the shopping crowd. Less stress. As a follow-up, I'd like to hear how many of these changes were successful.

AMEN! 100%. For SO many years I've been the whole entertainment committee, decorate, cook, clean, repeat. And although it HAS been a labor of pure love, I'm tired. After all of these yrs of Mothering, Grandmothering and now even GREATGrandmothering. I'm scaling way back. My eyes will mostly be focused on the reason for the season and being with the people I love. I will make it special w/o killing myself. BTW Love your hair! 😊

I totally agree with you! I’m doing less decorating this year. I still want a Christmas tree. My husband and I are taking our family to DisneyWorld in December. Because of this I only bought gifts for the 3 grandkids. I already ordered the gifts. I told my husband I enjoyed doing a small amount of shopping. I might do it again next year. Or maybe our family can draw names. I will do a smaller Xmas meal. Christmas is for the kids, spending time together and making memories. My husband retired this year so money is tighter. I don’t do xmas cards anymore.

My family also decided that it was too much buying for all the adults so we put all our names in a hat and then a name gets pulled out at random. That person has 1 adult to buy for at Christmas with a limit of $50 AUD. So everyone gets a present on the day and we all buy for the kids still under 18 years. When they turn 18 they come onto our list. It’s really all about having a great Christmas and I’m sorry to say that I’m still a big lover of my decorations. We don’t really have Fall decorating, Halloween or Thanksgiving here in Australia so our Christmas is the time to decorate. I like to find specials during the year and put them away in my present box to use as stocking stuffers. I also buy my Christmas paper and cards in the sales from the previous year which is a very big saving ( I have enough for a few years to come now !!!!) Loving all your tips 🎄🎄🎄

You have a community of support

Couldn’t agree more

Sounds like a plan. Me too.

The holidays have started feeling like an over commercialized obligation to me. I haven't done a thing this year so far, and I doubt I will.

Can you share your sugar free great recipes? I agree so much with your thinking. We quit exchanging gifts years ago. Saves so much stress and un-necessary confusion!

Amen girl! I've been thinking about everything you said and agree 👍 💯 one thing I do hope to do is be kinder and more loving to others and spread the real reason for Christmas which is the birth of Jesus my King and Savior. Loved this video ❣️😁✝️🎄

When my children were little and until they had their own homes, I went out for Christmas. Decorations and food primarily, we were very deliberate with gifts- 1 Santa gift and stocking fillers, Jesus gifts (3) and a gift from Mon and Dad for a total of 5 gifts and as they got older, we would take them shopping for each other (again 1 gift per person)- one of the reasons for this is that our children received gifts from grandparents including birthdays or just stuff all year round. Food was always over the top but this has changed over the years and we don’t do traditional American like our parents did but prime rib and shrimp because none of us like Turkey (Thanksgiving is ham and Easter is lamb). Cards for anything went out the window about 25 years ago, I give a call to the important people in my life, I stopped the madness about “keeping up with the Joneses” regarding cards when reciprocation was little to none from others- my time and effort needed to be focused on my little family and not worrying if a family member or friend we rarely interacted with except maybe once a year got a card from us plus the cost (I priced out all the cards for all the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and then the postage stamps- even 25 years ago it added up quickly). We now meet friends at restaurants or bars for either dessert or drinks during the holidays- parties non-stop get exhausting. We have now taken the time for parties and now prepare goodies for our local law enforcement and bring hot dishes to our emergency dispatch center on Christmas Eve for the dispatchers and the local LEO’s and State Patrol officers on duty that night so they have a hot meal, goodies and take along foods for their shift. We (hubs and I) aren’t all about posting every day on social media, maybe a picture of us out with friends or family for holiday drinks, but intimate things like unwrapping gifts or showing off gifts is for us and if others want to see what we were gifted we will send the a picture via text. It’s always nice to hear what others are planning but to enjoy to the fullest is to be IN IT with those nearest and dearest vs setting up those “glamour” pics to post on social media.

Wow

I gave up Christmas cards several years ago. It is the thing I like the least.

I can so relate to what you are saying I am 62 and I just cannot do some of all the things anymore its ok.

We have a Boston, too! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

My Idea is Christmas every other year pause play pause play