Tip #2: Prioritize Joy Over Perfection This Holiday Season
Sleigh The Stress-Tips to ditch the Holiday OVERWHELM
As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of making everything “perfect.” From perfectly wrapped gifts to immaculate Christmas decorations, we often put pressure on ourselves to create a flawless holiday experience. Then you add in the social media perfect mom influencers to make you feel like you really ARE NOT perfect.
But the truth is, holiday magic isn’t found in perfection—it's found in the moments of joy, connection, and love we share with others. This season, let’s make a collective shift: instead of striving for perfection, let’s focus on prioritizing joy.
The Pressure of Perfection
The holiday season can sometimes feel like a series of chores. Whether it's planning the perfect Christmas dinner, hosting gatherings, or shopping for gifts, it’s no wonder so many people feel overwhelmed. When everything starts to feel like a “to-do,” it becomes easy to lose sight of what really matters: the joy of the season.
Holiday overwhelm tends to show up when we treat everything as a task that must be completed perfectly. The stress of meeting unrealistic expectations can quickly rob you of the happiness that comes with the holidays. If you’ve ever found yourself stressing over a crooked ornament or a missing ingredient in your Christmas cookies, you know what we mean!
But here’s the good news: joy doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from moments of laughter, warmth, and connection—things that can’t be wrapped up or measured.
Focus on What Brings You Joy
A simple shift in mindset can make all the difference. Rather than approaching the holiday season as a list of obligations, think about how you can turn those tasks into moments of joy. When you bake cookies, do it with your kids and make it a fun, messy activity instead of aiming for the perfect bake. Instead of stressing over the perfect gift, focus on the thought and love behind it.
The beauty of the holiday season is that it’s a time to celebrate with those you love. Whether it's stringing Christmas lights, decorating the tree, or wrapping presents, these moments don’t need to be perfect—they just need to be filled with love.
Infuse Joy Into Your Holiday Tasks
One way to beat holiday stress is to consciously infuse joy into your tasks. If you have a long to-do list, like putting up Christmas decorations or writing out your Merry Christmas wishes, find ways to make it fun. Put on your favorite holiday music, involve your family in the process, or give yourself a reward for finishing each task. When you shift your mindset and see these activities as opportunities to enjoy the season, they feel less like chores and more like celebrations.
Here are a few ways to make your holiday tasks more joyful:
- Turn gift wrapping into a festive event by sipping cocoa and watching a Christmas movie as you wrap presents.
- Help others—whether it’s volunteering, donating, or simply helping a friend with their own holiday plans, giving back adds meaning and joy to the season.
- Make a game out of your to-do list. Challenge yourself to see how much you can get done while keeping things lighthearted and fun.
Let Go of Perfection
This holiday season, give yourself permission to let go of perfection. Remember, holiday magic doesn’t come from having the most perfectly decorated tree or the best dinner on the table. It comes from spending time with loved ones, creating memories, and feeling gratitude for the moments that truly matter.
When we focus on what brings us joy—we invite the true spirit of Christmas into our lives. It’s these moments of connection and love that we’ll remember, not how perfect everything looked.