Savoring the Holidays: Why Less Can Be More
The holidays are here, and with them comes the glittering promise of joy, togetherness, and… stress? Let’s face it, the festive season can sometimes feel more overwhelming than magical, with endless to-do lists, elaborate plans, and pressure to go all out. But this year, I took a different approach, and it’s reminded me of what the holidays are truly about.
For starters, I decided to downsize—literally. Our Christmas tree this year is smaller, the decorations are simpler, and guess what? Decorating it with my family was just as special, if not more so. Instead of struggling to haul out and assemble every single holiday trinket we own, we focused on meaningful pieces, like ornaments from past vacations or ones my kids made when they were little. And in cutting down the chaos, we made room for what matters most: laughter, connection, and time spent together.
The holidays have this sneaky way of tempting us into thinking bigger is better. Bigger trees, more lights, longer shopping lists, and lavish meals can start to feel like the default. But when we’re constantly chasing "more," it’s easy to lose sight of why we’re celebrating in the first place. Too often, we overload our schedules with events, max out our budgets on gifts, and exhaust ourselves trying to make every detail picture-perfect. The result? Burnout—when we should be recharging, reflecting, and enjoying the season with the people we love.
Left to right: @ahousewebuilt , @roombyroomdublin , Meaningful Ornaments, Decorating a Small Tree
By simplifying this year, I’ve found that the magic doesn’t come from how big or extravagant things are. It comes from slowing down and soaking up the little moments. Watching a holiday movie with my kids, baking cookies with flour-covered countertops, or sitting by the tree sipping cocoa—all of these bring more joy than any Pinterest-worthy display could.
This isn’t to say you can’t celebrate in your own way. If going all out truly brings you joy, then go for it! But if you’re feeling the weight of holiday expectations, give yourself permission to scale back. Set boundaries around your time, say no to things that don’t spark joy, and focus on what you value most about the season.
Simple Front Porch Christmas Decorations
The holidays are about connection—about being present, not perfect. Whether your tree is ten feet tall or tabletop size, whether your table is piled high with gourmet dishes or just a potluck meal with friends, the memories you create will always matter more than how they look.
So here’s to keeping it simple and savoring the season. Let’s focus less on doing and more on being: being present, being grateful, and being with the ones who make our holidays bright.
