The holiday season often arrives like a freight train. One moment you are putting away Halloween candy, and the next, you are buried under a mountain of to-do lists that include baking seven types of cookies, decorating the house, and finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Often social media can feel like an instigator, nudging us with images of delightful Christmas crafts, and adorable decor. But every year, a quiet minority emerges, giving us all permission to take a deep breath. This year, I’m listening to some of the creators that are encouraging us to trade the chaos for calm and the overwhelm for simplicity.
Instead of elaborate, Pinterest-perfect setups that cost a fortune and take days to assemble, people are craving authenticity and peace. As we all know deep down, the most magical holiday memories aren’t made while stressing over a perfectly set table, but in the quiet, unscripted moments with the people we love. Figuring out how to prioritize those moments can feel hard though. If you are ready to reclaim your holiday joy, here are a few practical ways to slow down and simplify.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.
Prioritize Joy Over Obligation
Sit down with your family and ask everyone to name the one holiday tradition they truly love. Maybe it’s driving around to see lights, baking a specific pie, or watching a favorite movie. Make those few things your priority and give yourself permission to let the rest go. If sending 50 Christmas cards feels like a chore rather than a joy, skip it this year. By cutting out the obligations that drain you, you create space for the things that actually fill your cup.
Simplify Your Gift Giving
The pressure to buy mountains of gifts can be financially and emotionally draining. Consider simplifying your approach. Many families are adopting the “Four Gift Rule”: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. Alternatively, focus on experiences rather than physical items. A planned family outing to a museum or a cozy movie night with special snacks often creates longer-lasting memories than another plastic toy.
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Scale Back the Decor
You don’t need to turn your home into a department store window display to make it festive. Take a cue from the “scandi-style” simplicity seen on TikTok. Focus on natural elements like fresh greenery, pinecones, or a few well-placed candles. A bowl of ornaments on the table or a single string of lights can be just as festive as decorating every room, but with a fraction of the effort and cleanup time.
Embrace “Good Enough” Hosting
If you are hosting a gathering, release the need for an elaborate meal made from scratch. It is perfectly okay to order parts of the meal, do a potluck style dinner, or serve simple appetizers instead of a heavy feast. Your guests are there to see you, not to judge your culinary skills. When you spend less time in the kitchen stressing over timers, you have more time to actually sit, talk, and laugh with your visitors.
Schedule Down Time
In the rush of school concerts, office parties, and shopping trips, rest often gets forgotten. Block out days on your calendar that are designated for absolutely nothing. These are the days for lingering over coffee, reading a book by the tree, or taking a nap. Treating rest as an essential appointment ensures you won’t reach Christmas Day feeling exhausted and resentful.
Embracing the “Less is More” Philosophy
One creator leading this charge is Dawnalee (@floydkinneyliving), whose content is a soothing balm for frazzled nerves. In a recent video captioned “Let’s trade overwhelm for simplicity this holiday season,” she shares a montage of quiet, understated beauty. There are no flashing lights or towering inflatables. Instead, viewers see a small, fragrant rosemary wreath, simple brown-paper packages stamped with care, and a warm tray of cookies fresh from the oven.
The comment section on her video proves just how much people are yearning for this shift. One viewer noted, “This looks like how we’ve always decorated in Scandinavia for yule,” validating that simplicity is a time-honored tradition, not just a trend. Another comment simply read, “love love love this kind of christmas.” These interactions highlight a collective desire to step off the hamster wheel of holiday perfectionism and get back to basics.
@floydkinneyliving As a gift or as decor⤵️ Your season can be magical without the chaos. Let’s embrace simplicity! You don’t need much for this easy, yet beautiful wreath that smells amazing too! Supplies needed: •Wire to shape into a circle. I used florist wire. •Star Anise. I used 24 for a 8.5” diameter wreath. I bought mine at @bulkbarnfoods •Glue gun •Ribbon of choice Directions: 1. Start by forming your star anise into a circle to help determine how much wire you need. 2. Take your your wire and twist into a circle. I used pliers to make sure it didn’t come undone where the two ends met. 3. Hot glue each star onto the wire. I found holding each one on the wire until the glue started to cool helped set them and keep them in place. 4. Create a loop and/or bow for hanging. I used velvet ribbon I had in my craft supplies. And that’s it! It’s simplistic and neutral and smells so beautiful! As always, I so appreciate it when you share, comment, and follow along! 🏠🧺 __________ #simpledecor #mytradhome #wearethehomemakers #christmaswreath #rustichomedecor #reelstutorial #reelshomedecor #christmascrafts #designonadime #diyidea #standoutstyle #oldandnew #heyhomehey #simplestyling #homemaking #homebeautiful #cottagestylehome #naturaldecor #seeksimplicity #thisishome #warmandcozy #cozyseason #diychristmas #farmhousechristmas #christmastime #diy #momlife #theartofslowliving #hyggechristmas #asimplechristmas ♬ Heirloom – Joshua Kyan Aalampour
The Magic is in the Quiet Moments
One of the best gifts you can give your family, and yourself, is your presence. When we strip away the excess noise, and the pressure to perform, we are left with what truly matters, including warmth, connection, and the space to actually enjoy the season as it unfolds. By choosing to do less, we aren’t missing out; we are making room for more love, more peace, and more genuine joy.
