KISS CHRISTMAS: Keep It Simple…Seriously

How to Release Holiday Stress, Embrace Peace, and Rediscover the Meaning of Christmas

Watching football with my husband, Scott, during the Gators/FSU game, I noticed something: the Christmas commercials rolling across the screen were doing nothing — absolutely nothing — to lift his holiday spirit. Granted, the Gators were losing, so joy was in limited supply.

Trying to lighten the mood, I asked,“Honey, what do you think would happen if Christmas commercials were actually about the birth of Christ?”

Without looking at me, he muttered, “Right.”

Just “Right.”No explanation. No eye contact. No consideration for my deep, theological inquiry.

But I got it. When your team is losing to your rival, even the birth of Jesus can’t compete for your attention.

Still… that one word — Right — sat with me.

Because it is strange, isn’t it? The holiday meant to celebrate the Prince of Peace has somehow become one of the most stressful seasons of the year. And the commercials? Well… they prove it.

"Right."

Why Are We So Stressed at Christmas?

Imagine a world where Christmas commercials highlighted the reason for the season — love, peace, stillness, hope.Retailers would treat that like a lump of coal in their corporate stocking.

Instead, Christmas has become the Olympics of stress:• More shopping.• More decorating.• More expectations.• More pressure to perform joy rather than experience it.

And I’ll be honest — the number one thing I dread most during the holidays is gift shopping. Not even Amazon has delivered me from that curse.

Every year, I tell Scott and our son Brennan,“I am NOT shopping for gifts. Don’t buy me anything either.”

And every year…I cave.Not because of the tradition — but because the gifts look so pretty under the tree.

Even with 13 children in my family, my parents always made sure each of us had something under the tree. I still don’t know how.

So I cook the feast and buy the gifts — and stress rises like yeast in warm dough.

If you’re anything like me, the holiday season doesn’t just bring joy. It brings jitters.

Choose Peace Over Tradition

This year, I made a radical decision.

I’m not putting up Christmas trees.

Not one.

(If you heard a faint gasp just now, it’s my inner décor diva clutching her pearls.)

If you’ve ever been to my home, you know this is a seismic lifestyle shift. I usually have:• Three full-size trees• Small trees in the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms• Decorations that could compete with Macy’s

It was beautiful —and exhausting.

So this year, I’m choosing Peace over Pretty.

Instead of climbing ladders with ribbon and garland, I’ll be flipping the pages of my beloved cookbooks, deciding which dishes will grace the table… and reminding myself not to experiment on Christmas Day.

To steady myself, I started breathing exercises:

“Inhale… hold for 1-2-3. Exhale… hold for 1-2-3…”Repeat until the guilt melts away.

And surprisingly, it worked.

Because the more we lean into what brings us peace,the easier it becomes to say No to the traditions that drain us.

How to Reduce Holiday Stress and Keep Christmas Simple

Practical, Peace-Filled Strategies

1. Release the Myth of the Perfect Christmas

Holiday commercials lie.Hallmark movies lie.Your Christmas doesn’t need to be film-ready.Be your own light — and create your own peace.

2. Cherish the Gift of Connection

COVID taught us how precious it is simply to gather.If the napkins don’t match, who cares?If the turkey leans slightly left, we’ll live.Laugh, listen, and enjoy being together.

(Side note: Buy cranberry sauce during the off-season. Don’t you ever come to my table without cranberry sauce. Ever.)

3. Prepare Early and Cook Smart

Each Thanksgiving, I make a double batch of stuffing —half for Thanksgiving, half for Christmas.Same with pies.Though this year, my second pecan pie has become… missing.Okay fine, it’s half eaten.But tomorrow isn’t promised — so pass me another slice.

4. Finish Gift Shopping Early… or Opt Out Entirely

Imagine having all your gifts wrapped by October. Or — here’s a thought — decide that you are each other’s gifts.

I’ll let you know how that goes over at my house.

5. Reject the Pressure to Create the “Perfect Holiday”

We often chase a childhood dream that was never real to begin with.Let it go.It’s already a perfect Christmas — you’re still breathing.

6. Take Stress-Saving Shortcuts

If baking isn’t your ministry, buy the pies.If wrapping gifts makes you twitch, use bags.Simplify everything.

7. Celebrate What You Value

Don’t get trapped in commercialism or comparison.Smiling actors don’t define your joy.Create celebrations that reflect your heart —whether intimate dinners or small gatherings over several weeks.

This Year, I’m Choosing to KISS Christmas

Keep It Simple…Seriously.

No perfection. No pressure. No holiday Olympics.

Just peace, presence, and gratitude.

By simplifying the season, preparing early, adjusting expectations, and embracing shortcuts, we create space for what truly matters:

• Warmth• Laughter• Peace• Togetherness• The sacred meaning of Christmas

This year, give yourself permission to break tradition. No one will call the “Christmas Tradition Police.”I promise.

Choose peace.Choose joy.Choose simplicity.

KISS Christmas — and watch how the season transforms.