A Slow Living Guide for Christmas + The Holiday Season

It’s the most, wonderful time, of the yearrrrrr! (Did you sing that with me?) Ah, the classics have my heart, always.

The holiday season is officially upon us, ladies. While this is a time that should be filled with joy, warmth, and togetherness, I know how easy it is to get swept up in the hustle of the holiday rat race. Unfortunately, it has become all too natural to lose sight of what truly matters – quality time spent with those you love. If you’ve ever felt that Christmas has become more about a lengthy to-do list (or to-buy list) and less about family bonding, this guide is for you. 

A Friendly Challenge

This year, I challenge you to be more intentional with your holiday planning. I challenge you to do and buy less than you did last year. I challenge you to enjoy a slower and more intentional holiday with your family and friends this year.

Sound like something you may be up for? I hope so! Don’t worry, I’m not going to take all the fun out of the most magical time of the year – in fact, the whole purpose of this article is to give some of that magic back to you during the holiday season. It’s time to stress less and focus on gratitude over all.

By embracing slower, intentional living, we can bring the focus back to presence, meaningful moments, and simplicity, creating a Christmas filled with love and sweet memories rather than just things. You can create a peaceful and memorable Christmas season for your family this year by keeping just a few things in mind as you start to plan for the most wonderful time of the year. 

Focus on Togetherness, Not “More”

This year, make an intentional choice to emphasize the simple joys of the holidays. Let’s hone in on creating lasting memories and building wholesome traditions with our family. Gather around the table for simple home cooked meals, cozy up for Christmas movie nights, or take evening walks to see the beautiful lights in your neighborhood. Prioritize being in the present moment with your family and really strive to have an intentional, slow Christmas this year. Set aside one night each week for a family tradition, like making hot chocolate, reading a Christmas story, or baking cookies together. These traditions are the true gifts our families will cherish for years to come. When we let go of the pressure to do more, we create space for what matters: togetherness and gratitude for what we already have. 

If you need a few new ideas for simple holiday traditions for your family, see this post! 

Tip: Keep your phone put away as much as possible. I know how tempting it can be to pick it up on a whim and scroll but I promise you will never regret giving your full attention to your kids or loved ones and being truly present with them. Plus, this time of year all of our feeds are positively flooded with advertisements and everyone telling you how you NEED this or that. If you want to save money and truly simplify your holidays this year – set the phone down!

Minimize Gifts, Maximize Experiences

It’s a sad reality today that many children believe the entire reason for the holidays is to receive presents. Gifts can bring joy, sure, but they often distract us from the reason we gather. Instead of filling your Christmas tree with packages, consider focusing on just a few thoughtful gifts and shift the rest of your holiday energy toward experiences.

If you have a large extended family that gathers each year, you could do something like a kids’ gift exchange instead of every person buying for each child – the kids draw names and pick out a present for only the child who’s name they drew. This way, each child gets one gift to open at the holiday gathering instead of several per child. Usually the one gift is more heartfelt and personal and there is less focus on who got what and who didn’t! 

We’ve been practicing this over the past few years as our family has grown it’s honestly been so refreshing! The kids are more grateful for what they receive and they remember the quality time spent, instead of what they did or didn’t receive. Hone in on quality over quantity in all areas of your life, especially at Christmas!

Ideas for Experience-Based Gifts:

• Family day trips (like visiting a nearby farm or going on a winter hike)
• Tickets to a local holiday event (a play, concert, or Christmas market)
• A “day off” coupon where kids get to choose activities with mom and dad
• Memory-making kits (like a cookie-decorating set or DIY ornament kit)
• Children’s museum or aquarium outing

Be Present in the Moment

It’s tempting to want to capture every tiny detail on camera, but sometimes the best memories are the ones we experience fully in real-time. Let go of the need for perfection and instead embrace the simple, unpolished moments that truly bring joy. Ask your kids what they want to do – the answers may surprise you! Make a list if you can and try to do some of those things. They will feel so special and it could even become a new tradition to include in this festive season. 

How to Be Present: I know I’ve already mentioned this but I don’t think it can be overstated. Set aside your phone when you’re with family – especially your kids! Even if it’s just for an hour each evening.

Tip: If you love taking photos, snap a quick picture or two, then set the phone aside and focus on fully being in the moment with your loved ones. You could also set your phone up on a tripod or other mount and set it to take a video of whatever you have going on that day. Grab some stills via screenshot later on – this can be a great way to get yourself in some of the photos as well!

Decorate with Meaning

Holiday decor can sometimes feel overwhelming, but a slow living Christmas focuses on creating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere without overdoing it. Choose a few meaningful decorations that capture the spirit of Christmas for your family.

Whether it’s a favorite wreath, homemade ornaments, or some simple garlands, embrace simplicity and nostalgia. Make a new handprint ornament for the tree if you have little kids at home. If your children are a bit older, have them help you cut and dry oranges for a traditional orange garland. This is a fun and wonderful way to engage them with seasonal festivities. You’re creating memories while adding a personal, homemade touch to your decor. Those really are the best kind of Christmas traditions!

Bonus: Having simple Christmas decor encourages rest and calm around this busy time of year. Plus, once Christmas day has come and gone, you’ll have much less to pack away and clean up before the new year. 

Prioritize Self-Care and Rest

The holiday season is wonderful but can also be exhausting when you feel like you’re trying to do and keep up with it all. Let’s be real, much of the magic of the season is actually just mom’s being the amazing human beings they are but with a little more intention. Between holiday baking, cooking meals, cleaning, planning gifts, hosting, and celebrating, it’s easy to neglect our own well-being. By making space for rest and self-care, we’re not only nurturing ourselves but setting an example for our children. If you need more info on finding rest in motherhood in general, I’ve got you covered! This post has tons of helpful tips and info for moms in need of rest. Don’t neglect your own needs while trying to plan an intentional Christmas for your loved ones. Your cup must be full before you can pour into others’!

Self-Care Ideas:

• Enjoy a warm bath with essential oils after the kids go to bed.
• Sit by the fire or cozy up with a holiday magazine while sipping your favorite tea or coffee.
• Take a solo winter walk to clear your mind and enjoy the beauty of the season.

Make Space for Reflection

As the year draws to a close, Christmas is a natural time to pause and reflect on the blessings in our lives. Set aside an evening with your spouse or loved ones to talk about the highs and lows of the year. Ask your children what their favorite memories are or what they’re looking forward to next year. Make this a fun evening with a board game or story time for the younger kids. The meaningful conversations and special moments remembered will be invaluable – a gift in and of itself. This time for reflection truly embodies the spirit of slow living and being present during this season. 

Simple Reflection Prompts:

• What was your favorite thing we did this past year?
• How did we grow as a family?
• What didn’t you like about this past year and how can we do better in that area next year?
• Did you achieve any goals this year and do you have any goals you’d like to achieve next year? How can we help you do that?

Enjoy the Little Moments

Let this be the Christmas you remember not for the gifts or the busyness, but for the cozy nights and the laughter that filled your home. By embracing a slower pace and focusing on what truly matters, we can create a holiday season that’s rich in love, connection, and joy.

I hope this helps to take some of the pressure off during Christmas time and really encourages you to stay off social media during this precious time of the year. Gratitude for what and who you already have in your life is truly all that you need to have a joy filled, memorable holiday season. 

Merry Christmas Friends!

Olivia