You might be thinking, “Is she really saying she wants to QUIT Christmas? A mother of four? The holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus?” Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. I’m officially done—done with the way we mothers are expected to celebrate Christmas.
It’s no longer about honoring the birth of our Savior. The holiday season has become a chaotic whirlwind devoid of the tranquility and joy it once promised. Here’s a glimpse of what my next month looks like during the festive season:
- Holiday Card Photos: Maybe it’s just my family, but the best holiday card photo I ever captured was of my kids completely asleep. Getting four energetic boys and one adult to dress neatly, smile, and stay still for more than a second is simply impossible. It would take a miracle—or perhaps a bottle of sedatives (not for me, but for them). In a moment of desperation a few years back, I took over 60 photos, desperately hoping for one decent shot. After countless pictures of silly faces, I finally got lucky. This year, I’m contemplating just using their school photos and calling it a day. They’ve earned it after all those years of photo drama!
- The Holiday Letter: Every year, we receive those lengthy, overly detailed letters summarizing everyone’s life highlights. If you’re someone who enjoys crafting these, you can skip to the next point. However, if you’re like me and find them amusing, you know exactly what I mean. It’s always about the kids’ achievements and idyllic vacations. My version would reveal the chaos of daily life: no promotions, constant messes, and the hilarity of raising boys. Yes, they drive me up the wall, but they’re also amazing in their own way. This year, I’ll share our real story: the laughter, the struggles, and the love that somehow manages to shine through.
- Decorating: Pinterest can be both a blessing and a curse. I’ve given up on the idea of decorating the Christmas tree alone. One year, after spending hours arranging the lights and ornaments, a child knocked it over. Now, I let the boys tackle it themselves. Last year, I finally enjoyed the tree—only to have it crash down. This year, I’ll be securing it to the wall before even thinking about putting the ornaments on!
- Holiday Gatherings: From potlucks to ornament exchanges, these events can quickly fill up the calendar. I used to host cookie swaps, but they became too stressful, so I stopped. Yet, I still feel guilty saying no to others. The result? More obligations and stress. This year, I’m declaring a moratorium on holiday parties. Let’s just connect over Valentine’s Day instead!
- Christmas Plays: Before I had kids, I envisioned adorable little angels and a sweet baby Jesus. Reality hit hard when I ended up with a flock of rambunctious shepherds. I used to volunteer for the church Nativity play, but after sleepless nights sewing costumes and dealing with forgotten lines, I’ve learned to enjoy the performances without getting involved. This year, I’ll sit back and cheer them on from the audience.
- Toy Assembly: The annual Christmas Eve battle of assembling toys is about to reach its end. No matter how early I buy gifts, my spouse insists on waiting until the last minute. If you want to know just how chaotic it can get, I suggest you check out this excellent resource for understanding the home insemination process and the challenges that come with it. With tired eyes and frustration brewing, we navigate through assembly instructions and energy drinks. It’s all worth it when the kids unwrap their gifts on Christmas morning—just like childbirth, you forget the pain once you see their joy.
In summary, the holiday season has morphed into a stressful time filled with unrealistic expectations and chaos. As I reflect on these experiences, I realize that while I may be ready to say goodbye to the traditional ways of celebrating, the love and laughter that come with my family make it all worthwhile.
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Keyphrase: Why Moms Want to Quit Christmas
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