Does anyone else feel like the whole Christmas season flies by? Oh, how I wish I could slow time and savor the Christmas season more.
When I was a kid, Christmas was my favorite season. That’s because it was all fun and no work. My only job was to learn my lines for the Christmas play, open gifts, and get dressed to go to my grandparents’ house for Christmas Eve dinner.
Ah, that was the life.
But now I’m a wife and mom, and Christmas looks a lot different. It is full of decorating, shopping, cooking, attending various events, and wrapping and delivering gifts. Throw in some family activities, and I have a full calendar.
Sometimes I wish I could just push the pause button to slow time down and really savor Christmas like I did as a kid.
However, the last time I checked, we haven’t figured out how to stop time, but maybe we can do a few things to help ourselves savor the season.
12 Ways to Slow Down and Savor Christmas
1. Admire the Christmas tree.
If I don’t make it a point to sit and admire my Christmas tree, I just walk past it every day and never get the chance to appreciate it. There is nothing like the warmth it adds to your home and enjoying the memories that come back from looking at our ornaments.
2. Listen to Christmas music.
You have probably had Christmas music playing in the house and in your car already, but have you actually stopped what you were doing, sat down, and just enjoyed listening to your favorite Christmas songs?
3. Take breaks from your phone.
This is true all year long. How much more do we see, hear, and experience when we put down our phones? Set a reminder on your phone, (ironic, I know) and put your phone (and all other screens) away for at least 30 minutes per day.
4. Pare down your calendar.
Crystal Paine, aka the Money Saving Mom, asks her husband and children each year for the top 1 or 2 things they would like to do for Christmas. Those things become must-dos, and everything else is on the chopping block. Believe it or not, we don’t have to say yes to every invitation we receive.
5. Sit by the fireplace.
Turn off all the noise, and find a few minutes when your kids are sleeping or away from home. Grab a hot cup of coffee or cider, and curl up with a soft blanket by the fireplace. Very few things are more relaxing than that.
6. Watch snow falling.
When was the last time you actually watched snow fall? I honestly can’t remember, and I live in Utah where snow is a common thing. If it snows in your neck of the woods during the Christmas season, take a few minutes to admire those unique, fluffy snowflakes.
7. Visit a coffee shop.
Grab a few minutes to yourself, and head to your favorite coffee shop. Take a paper book or magazine, and enjoy taking a break.
8. Make time for one thing you want to do.
I know the season is filled with a lot of activities that your kids want to do, but you should have some fun too. What is the thing you most enjoy doing at Christmas? Make time to do that thing, tell your husband about it for accountability, and put it on your calendar.
9. Watch your favorite Christmas movie.
If Elf is your favorite movie, you already have this one covered, because that’s definitely one kids always want to watch. But if you prefer something a little less “entertaining,” like It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street, everyone else may not be on board. Watch it anyway, even if you have to stay up late or get up early to do it.
10. Schedule “do nothing” nights.
Get out your calendar, and schedule a couple of nights where your family does nothing. I’m talking no cooking, no cleaning, no running around, just being together and enjoying each other’s company with maybe a movie or game.
11. Adjust your expectations.
We may all need to adjust our expectations, because Christmas just isn’t going to be the same as it was when we were kids. Instead, create wonderful holiday moments instead of seeking perfection every second of every day. Then when you notice a special moment, take a second to savor it, so you can remember it long after Christmas is over.
12. Read a Christmas book or devotional.
Nothing will get you in the Christmas spirit or in a jolly mood like reading a book set during the Christmas season or a Christmas-based devotional. Last year, I read The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield and A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury. I highly recommend both.
This is a long list of activities, so just pick 4 that you like best and schedule them in your calendar. Because what gets scheduled gets done.
Instead of having to save and look back at this post, I’ve created a checklist that you can print out and cross off each of these simple ways to slow down and savor Christmas. Sign up to get your FREE Slow Christmas Checklist printable.
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