27 Ways To Have A Stress-Free Simple Christmas This Year

If you’re anything like me, you have fond memories of Christmas as a kid, but as an adult Christmas seems to equal stress and overwhelm. So today I’m sharing all of the ways you and I can practice having a simple Christmas this year. 

This way we can get back to enjoying what the holiday season is all about (for us).

Why Is A Simple Christmas So Important?

Firstly, the Christmas season lasts a good month for most people and that’s a 1/12th of your year. This is a good chunk of time so purely from a timeline perspective simplifying the holidays is so important.

Having a simple Christmas also means you can find time to enjoy the simple pleasures of the holidays and be with the people you love most. Doesn’t that sound nice?

What Does A Simple Christmas Mean?

Simplifying Christmas is unique to each of us. What I consider a simple Christmas may be different for you and that’s completely okay.

For myself, a simple Christmas is about getting back to the reason for the season – celebrating the birth of Jesus. It’s also about enjoying time with those I love without feeling pressure and overwhelm. 

For me, it’s also about waking up Christmas morning and knowing my day is ahead is going to be filled with enjoyment – not stress.

27 Ways To Create a Stress-Free Simple Christmas & Holiday Season

Christmas is the time of year for joy, family, and relaxation. Unfortunately, it can also be a season of stress and chaos. 

This year, let’s make a conscious effort to create a simpler Christmas, focusing on what truly matters. 

1. Make a Plan

A little bit of planning can go a long way to ensuring you’re creating a simple Christmas you’ll truly enjoy this year. 

Some things you can plan in advance are:

• Who you are buying gifts for this year
• When you’re having family get-togethers
• When you’re decorating
• Travel plans
• Your budget for gifts and festivities
• Your Christmas dinner menu and food shopping list
• Moments of downtime and self-care

To help create a plan for you this Christmas, check out my printable Christmas Planner. 

👉 Use promo code SIMPLECHRISTMAS50 for 50% off at checkout.

The Christmas planner includes 

• Holiday bucket list tracker
• December daily gratitude tracker
• Christmas self-care checklist with ideas
• Holiday memories – record your special moments
• Important dates calendar
• Christmas card list
• Gift list – keep track of ideas and purchases
• Christmas gift wish list
• Shopping tracker to help you stay on budget
• Recipes to make to plan a tasty season
• Recipe sheet with ingredients and directions sections
• 3 x Framable wall art (fits 8×10)
• 5 x Holiday greeting cards (4×6)

Plus, Christmas Activities for Your Kids!

• Dear Santa letterhead – with gratitude & wishlist sections
• 4 x Kid’s Christmas colouring pages

See the Christmas Planner HERE!

2. Decorate Early

There’s no way to add stress than leaving important things to the last minute and this is especially the case with decorating for the holidays.

Putting up your Christmas lights is a great example of this. You can get your lights up to decorate the outside of your house super early if you like. Then when it’s officially time to turn the lights on it’s just a matter of flipping the switch and voila… cozy, festive ambience!

3. DIY Your Decorations

Some of my fondest memories of Christmas time as a kid were focused on Christmas crafts and DIY decorations.

Not only will you save money on DIYing your own decorations, but more importantly you are creating a tradition your family can enjoy every year.

Some of my favourite (easy) DIY decorations that you can do as an adult or with kids:

• Paper snowflakes
• Popcorn garland
• Paper chain garland 
• Reindeer candy canes
• Homemade ornaments

It’s also really easy to make your own wreath and Christmas planters. They always look much nicer when you make your own and of course, you’ll be saving money too.

4. Decorate With Food

This is a personal favorite of mine! Festive treats and food can be used to decorate your home. Not only will it look cute, you’ll be able to snack wherever you go!

Here are some ideas:

• Keep a bowl full of clementines in the family room
• Decorate your tree with candy canes
• Keep bowls filled with nuts and a nutcracker
• Add pomegranates to your Christmas mantel display
• Make a hot chocolate station – include chocolate, marshmallows, candy canes and festive mugs

5. Decide How You’ll Send Christmas Cards

Every year I attempt to get Holiday cards written and mailed to all of my loved ones, but I always seem to fail.

I end up writing the cards and never get around to mailing them, or I mail them so late that they don’t make it to my loved ones in time.

So, let’s rethink Christmas cards, shall we?

Here are some options that will make your life easier…

• Write and mail cards only to those who really appreciate them. Think about your grandparents, an elderly friend, your aunts and uncles, etc. A good way to work this one out is to see who mails you a card every year.
• Opt-in for e-greetings. You can create a super fun holiday greeting to send to everyone else.
• Don’t send them at all. You can always text and call your loved ones or even send a Happy New Year card if it’s easier.

6. Choose a Theme For Your Gift Buying

When it comes to finding the perfect gift for someone having a theme can make your life a lot easier. 

When you create a theme you can do it for everyone or for a specific group fo people – i.e. kids on your list. 

Here are some examples of themes you might try:

• Books – this year you’ll only give books to everyone. This can include fiction, non-fiction, journals, biographies, coffee table books, customized books, etc.
• Subscription boxes – There are subscription boxes for every kind of person these days! Just check out Cratejoy for some ideas. 
• Food gifts – You can either DIY all your food gifts with baking, cranberry sauces, and freezer meals or give out food boxes, subscription boxes (check out Cratejoy above), and any other food-related items. This allows you to get creative and make festive baskets or stockings.
• Experiences – This can be gift cards for a massage, theatre tickets, concert tickets, sporting events, dance classes, wine tasting and so much more.
• Gifts Based On Love Language – learn more about love languages here and choose a gift that shows your loved one how much they mean to you.

7. Create a Gift Rule

Consumerism is not what the holidays are all about. Last year you might have been stressed by purchasing too many Christmas presents, so this year let’s focus on fewer gifts.

You may have heard of the 4 gift rule: Something you… want, need, wear, read.

This is a great rule to apply for your immediate family – especially the kids.

You can also create any other rule you want around gifts, for example:

• Experience gifts only
• No gifts – best for couples – I wouldn’t personally do this for the kids.
• One gift only

Think about creating a family gift rule that aligns with your values this year.

8. Write A Christmas Gift List

Keep on top of who you’re buying gifts for this year so you don’t miss out on sales. Here is a free printable Christmas Gift list you can use to get started. It also includes a budget for each person so you can stay on track with spending.

10. Ask People What They Want

For those you’re buying for, there’s no shame in asking people what they want. This way it’s easier for you to shop and your recipient will get something they love.

11. Have a Less Is More Christmas Dinner Menu

Having a delicious holiday meal does not mean you have to make 15 dishes and slave over the oven all day – this is anything but simple.

Instead, choose a simple menu. Think quality over quantity. This can include:

• One appetizer
• One main
• Two to three sides
• Dessert

That’s it.

You can also make your dessert in advance and even some of the side dishes depending on what they are.

When it comes to Christmas dinner, less worry and stress over multiple dishes =  more enjoyment and time with your family and friends. That sure sounds good to me!

12. Plan Potluck Dinners

One of my favourite ways to get together with family members and friends is to have a potluck. 

This takes the stress out of hosting (and cooking large quantities of food) so you can enjoy yourself and not be overwhelmed by your to-do list. It’s also a fun way to try new recipes!

13. Set Your Table In Advance

For Christmas day, make your life easier by setting your table either the night before or if you’re able a few days before. It’s one less thing you need to worry about on Christmas day.

14. Set Up Or Be Part of A Cookie Exchange

This is a great way to end up with a variety of yummy holiday baking and you only need to bake one type of cookie!

See if you can partner up with some friends or colleagues and everyone makes one dozen cookies for each person participating. Then you can all get together and do the cookie exchange.

15. Don’t Overbook Your Calendar

Depending on the type of person you are you might enjoy a lot of activities over the holidays, but be careful not to overbook yourself. 

There is something to be said about having peaceful moments and hours of nothing planned. This is when you have the opportunity to enjoy being present in the moment.

If you need to book time on your calendar that says ‘nothing’ or ‘down time’ then do so! Do whatever you need to find some time to breathe in and relax.

16. Focus On The Reason For The Season

Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus, so take some time to embrace this – whether you’re Christian or not. I think it’s great to teach yourself and your kids where traditions come from and this is the same for Christmas. 

Here are some ways you can remind yourself of the true reason for the season…

• Watch The Nativity Story (Amazon Prime)
• Read The Story of Christmas to your kids (and make it an annual tradition)
• Attend Christmas Eve service with your family

I also encourage you and your family to learn about other holidays over the festive season – i.e. Hanukkah, Kwanza, Yule/Winter Solstice. 

17. Make Time To Be Present

Above we talked about not overbooking yourself so you can be in the moment. Well, here are some things you might enjoy when being in the moment.

• Having family time watching Christmas movies or playing a game
• Reading by the Christmas tree
• Having a slow evening wrapping gifts and listening to Christmas carols
• Enjoying the warmth of a spiced apple cider as you cozy up with blankets
• Admiring your holiday decorations around the house
• Immersing yourself in holiday baking and truly enjoying it

These little things are what having a simple Christmas is all about, so take some time to enjoy them.

18. Don’t Feel Pressure To Do ‘Everything’

We are only human after all. If you’re a parent you may feel this desire (and pressure) to create a so-called perfect holiday season for your children – but guess what… 

Your kids are going to remember the time you spent with them and the experiences you shared – not whether you had the perfect Christmas tablescape or colour-coordinated tree. 

So, take a step back and think about…

• What the Christmas season really means to you
• Decide what’s important for you and your family
• Then choose where you will show up

No awards are being handed out for ‘most perfect mom’ ever. We know this. So let’s stop trying and start giving ourselves some love and consideration too.

19. Give Others Responsibility

As an extension of not doing everything this also applies to chores and to-do’s around the holidays. You are not solely responsible for doing it all. 

The key is to divide and conquer as a lead-up to the big day and on Christmas day itself.

Get your kids to help clean the house, make sure you’re partner is pulling their weight with shopping, planning and cooking. This way you can all enjoy the holidays equally.

23. Prioritize Simple Traditions

When it comes to creating a simple Christmas for you and your family, traditions are the core of the holidays.

Everyone will have different family traditions, so think about what’s important to you and make sure to make them happen.

Some examples of family traditions:

• Decorating the tree the first weekend of December
• Attending Christmas Eve service
• Driving around and looking at the Christmas lights
• Going skating on Boxing Day
• Bake Christmas cookies
• Host a Christmas party

25. Meal Prep Freezer Meals (& Treats)

For those days or nights you don’t want to cook, you can simply grab something out of the freezer. One-pot meals like chilli, soup and curries are great for this.

You can also freeze cookies or baked goods and get them out when you know company is coming over.

26. Reuse Gift Bags and Wrapping

When the holiday season is over this year, make sure to keep all bows, ribbons, cards, gift bags and any wrapping so you can use it next year.

Also, look for ways to create eco-friendly wrapping like in the photo.

Not only will you save money, but you’ll save yourself time having to shop for more gift wrapping.

27. Declutter Broken Ornaments & Lights

It can seem tempting to just keep everything in the Christmas box and deal with it next year. 

However, at the end of the season when you’re putting all of your ornaments and decorations away make sure to look through everything and get rid of…

• Light strings that no longer work
• Broken ornaments
• Ornaments you don’t like (you can donate these)

This way when you start decorating next year it will be a lot easier to find the decorations you love.

Have a Simple Christmas: Final Thoughts

However you decide to create a simple Christmas for you and your family this year, remember to first and foremost, follow your heart. 

Do what you feel is right so you can make this a special time of year. That also means deciding what you won’t be doing this year.

I hope you found these ideas to be helpful and that you have a very Merry Christmas with lots of love and light.

I’d also love to know…

Do you have other ways you enjoy creating a simple Christmas?

Share in the comments below to inspire others!

More Christmas Resources to Enjoy:

• 40 Ways To Create a Hygge Christmas
• 50 Fun Christmas Bucket List Ideas
• Self-Care Checklist For The Holidays (free printable)
• Grab my Ultimate Christmas Planner. Use code SIMPLECHRISTMAS50 for 50% off 

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