The Traditions We Dropped—and What We Do Instead

At some point I realized we were doing certain Christmas traditions just because “that’s what you’re supposed to do” — not because anyone actually enjoyed them. They took time, money, and energy we didn’t really have, and nobody was sad when they fell apart.

Once we gave ourselves permission to let some things go, Christmas felt calmer and a lot more like us.

We Dropped: Overstuffed Advent Calendars

We Do Instead: One Simple Nightly Rhythm

I loved the idea of big, elaborate advent calendars with activities, trinkets, and candy. In real life, we were constantly behind, skipping days, and trying to cram three activities into one night.

Now we keep advent simple: one short reading or story at night, maybe a chocolate or sticker for the kids if I planned ahead. The point is sitting down together, not managing 25 moving parts.

We Dropped: Doing Every Single Local Event

We Do Instead: Choose a Few on Purpose

There was a year we tried to hit every parade, light show, church event, and party we were invited to. Everyone was exhausted and we spent way more than we meant to on tickets and drive-thru food.

Now we pick one or two “big” outings and let the rest go. We’d rather fully enjoy a couple things than drag tired kids through five.

We Dropped: Fancy Matching Outfits

We Do Instead: “Good Enough” Clothes We Already Own

Coordinated outfits for every gathering sounded cute until I was stress-ordering clothes and trying to keep them clean. The kids didn’t care. I cared for about five minutes and then resented the laundry.

Now I pull together outfits from what we already have—mostly clean, somewhat coordinated, and comfortable. Pictures still turn out sweet, and nobody is itchy and miserable.

We Dropped: Baking Ten Different Kinds of Treats

We Do Instead: One or Two Things Everyone Loves

The “Christmas baking day” used to leave my kitchen destroyed and my patience shot. Half the recipes flopped and most of the cookies went stale.

Now we pick one or two recipes we truly love—maybe a cookie and a candy—and make those. They actually get eaten, and I’m not scrubbing sugar off every surface at midnight.

We Dropped: Buying a New Tradition Every Year

We Do Instead: Repeat What Actually Worked

There’s a lot of pressure to add more: new countdowns, new games, new collections, new decor. At some point we realized we don’t have to keep collecting “traditions” like they’re trophies.

Now we pay attention to what the kids remember and ask for again. Those are the things we repeat. Everything else is allowed to fade out quietly.