Christmas Wish for Sanity
How to Avoid Christmas Overwhelm and Holiday Burnout
The holiday season is filled with laughter, joy, and spending time with loved ones. It can also be a time to be generous and give to others. But if you’re already feeling overwhelmed and looking for ways to find peace, let’s explore some ways to simplify your schedule and keep Christmas financially sane, without losing the joy we’re meant to experience.
What the Christmas Story Teaches Us About Simplicity
At the heart of Christmas, the story of Jesus’ birth is about God sending His son into the world. The spirit of giving and generosity accompanies this season, celebrating and sharing joy. But in today’s culture, we often find ourselves overscheduled with celebrations and festivities, traditions we’ve grown up with, and new ones we’re adopting. We might be rushing through two or three dinners on Christmas and overspending on new decorations simply because there wasn’t time to dig through the attic to find the lights we bought last year. All in the name of Christmas.
But when we think about the Christmas story, Jesus wasn’t born during a big celebration with Christmas lights. He was born in a manger. It was a miracle that a few shepherds heard about it and came later. His parents couldn’t find a place to stay, so they were in a stable with animals. It was a quiet and simple night.
Mary and Martha: A Bible Story About Busyness and Overcommitment
When Jesus visited Mary and Martha’s home, Martha began cleaning and hurried to get the house in order and the meal ready. When Jesus arrived, Mary came to sit with Him. Martha continued to get caught up in the preparations and was distracted by Jesus’s presence. She asked Jesus why He wouldn’t encourage Mary to help, and Jesus replied that Mary had chosen what was better.
This doesn’t mean that anything Martha was doing was wrong. She was trying to ensure everything was in order. However, she got caught up in the busyness and lost sight of the purpose behind it. She missed that it was about being in the presence of Jesus.
During the Christmas season, it’s easy to get caught up in decorating, hosting parties, and making new crafts or dishes. We often focus too much on finding the perfect presents, matching PJs, and picture-perfect meals. In the process, we can become distracted and lose sight of what truly matters—the simplicity of being together and celebrating the birth of Christ.
So how do we realign our hearts and simplify the season?
Practical Ways to Find Peace and Stay on Budget
The best way to not lose our minds this holiday season is to remember what this is about. And to create systems to stay on budget with our money and time in the upcoming weeks.
1. Less is More
While we often spread ourselves thin trying to please everyone, it’s okay to set priorities. Instead of constantly accepting every invitation, be intentional with your yeses and nos. Having fewer commitments not only reduces stress but also allows you to be more present. Choose presence over pressure.
2. Set Boundaries
When planning your Christmas budget, it’s important to establish rules about who will receive gifts and what they’ll get. Set guidelines such as only giving to those you can personally present the gift to, choosing experiences over physical items, or setting a strict dollar limit for each person. Decide who truly belongs on your list and focus on them.
3. Plan Your Time
Block out some “rest days.” These are days when you can relax or help you stay consistent with your usual routine. Plan simple meals instead of trying new recipes. Pick one or two non-negotiable traditions to focus on. Allow yourself to celebrate, but at a more manageable pace.
4. Use What You Have
Simplicity reduces stress. It’s okay to reuse the same decor each year. Since you loved it enough to buy it in the first place, it’s fine to keep loving it annually. Skip perfectionism this season and embrace the joy again.
Bonus: Keep Receipts
Use the year to set a more realistic expectation for your holiday spending. When you know how much you spend, you can spread it out over the course of the year to create a Christmas budget. It’s much easier to handle an extra $100 per month for Christmas savings than to max out another credit card with $1,000 in additional expenses.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need bigger lights, more events, or more gifts to enjoy the season. Peace comes when you slow down and remember why we celebrate. Setting boundaries is not unkind; it’s wise stewardship. Having those conversations can spread peace to your loved ones this season.
This year, may your Christmas be simple, meaningful, and sane.
Bible Verses to Reflect On
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed- or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” – Luke 10:40-42
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:6-7