6 things I’ll be doing differently this Christmas

Last Updated on April 3, 2024

I love the build up to Christmas, I get really excited when I start to see Christmas decorations in shops, I love Christmas lights, and one of my favourite markets is a Christmas market.

However, Christmas Day isn’t a day that I enjoy, it just feels so anti climatic, like something was supposed to happen but didn’t.

So this year I’ve decided to make some changes to how I do things, or what I put effort into, so I can enjoy Christmas Day, as much as the build up to it.

Here are 6 things I’ll be doing differently this Christmas so I enjoy it more, and appreciate it while my boys are still young.

I hope there are some things here that you may also decide to do differently, if Christmas Day, or the festive season isn’t as enjoyable as you’d like it to be, or is one that causes you mum holiday burnout.

Festive season hosting

My family, apart from my sister, all live in Australia, so hosting a big family meal isn’t something that I have to worry about.

However, every year my sister and her husband come over before Christmas and I usually spend the entire time they’re here in the kitchen cooking and cleaning, but not this year.

This year I’ll cook them a simple roast lunch, where the oven does most of the work, and I don’t have multiple types of meats and dishes to make.

I’ll also do some simple nibbles beforehand, and some desserts for afterwards, all of which will be premade, so I can enjoy the time with them.

Christmas Day lunch

I’ll be spending Christmas Day with my husband and two boys, so like the meal with my sister and her husband, this year I’m not cooking anything traditionally associated with Christmas.

Instead I’ll make a roast lamb with a few sides, and a few sweet treats afterwards, and that’s it.

For the rest of the day we’ll have finger foods and snacks that everyone can help themselves to.

I don’t want to spend Christmas Day cooking and cleaning, this year I want to relax, eat simple food, and spend time together as a family.

Buying less gifts

I don’t know what it is about Christmas that makes me overbuy gifts, but I always feel like I don’t get my kids enough.

I end up spending too much money on things they don’t want, need, or play with, which results in too much toy clutter.

To prevent this, one of the main things I’ll be doing differently this Christmas that I’m excited about is only buying my kids:

• A want
• A need
• A wear, and
• A read

This idea means buying them something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read, which cuts down the amount of money spent, and minimises the amount of clutter in the house.

So for Ryan he wants some Nintendo Switch games, he needs some new craft supplies, I’ll get him some new trainers to wear, and some books that he loves.

As Thomas is 2 I’m only going to get him a couple of gifts because he’s too young to understand what’s happening, so it’s a waste of money buying him too much.

They’ll still get a couple of gifts from Santa, a few stocking stuffers, and gifts from family, so they still receive a nice amount of gifts, just not as much as years past, which honestly they won’t miss at all.

Fewer days out

There are so many things demanding our time and money over Christmas, including Santa Grottos, Christmas light switch ons, pantomimes, Christmas light trails, and so much more.

So far I’ve booked a Santa’s Grotto, but only for Ryan because Thomas will be scared, and I’ve booked the Christmas lights at Waddesdon Manor because we’re National Trust members, so it’s not expensive.

That’s it, I’m not booking any other Christmas days out.

We may do some free local events like a Christmas light switch on, but only if the mood strikes, and it won’t be something I’ll schedule or commit to.

Choosing meaningful traditions

This year I’d like to start a Christmas tradition with Ryan, and because he loves baking it will probably be doing Christmas baking recipes together.

Whatever it will be, it will be something simple, and that we can do together every year.

Making time for myself

At some point on Christmas Day I want to take some time out for myself, even if it’s just 20 minutes to read, so I can enjoy a break.

What are some things you’ll be doing differently this Christmas?