Kranz Co. Life in Bloom

Life Lately: Struggling to Get into the Christmas Spirit…

One of the main goals of this blog is to create a space where moms can connect, share tips, and enjoy a little fun together. Today, though, I’m stepping away from the usual and sharing something a bit more personal. It’s almost mid-December, and I’m feeling behind. My Christmas decor is… well, let’s just say it’s the bare minimum. Inside, I’ve barely done anything, and outside, there’s even less. Meanwhile, I scroll through social media and am surrounded by beautiful homes, creative crafts, and perfect cookies. And I’m over here thinking, I’ve done nothing.

Don’t get me wrong — I love all those things! Seeing a beautifully decorated cookie or an elegantly styled home brings me so much joy. But then, almost immediately, I feel like a failure because I just don’t have the energy or bandwidth to do it all. I think because I love it all so much, I want to do it all and I’d love to have the capacity. I usually consider myself pretty good at time management, but here I am: 75+ unread texts, no Christmas gifts bought, no cookies baked, and a bad attitude to top it off. I feel like I’m drowning. My days go from work to workout to picking up the kids, then dinner, cleanup, bedtime — and somewhere in between, I’m trying to tackle the laundry mountain that never seems to shrink. Where is the room in my day for all the Christmas stuff?!

That said, I’ve been reminding myself that there’s no “right way” to do Christmas. It can feel overwhelming, and sometimes it’s just too much. I’ve always had a hard time saying no, but I’m slowly learning how to. This past week at work, we had a virtual Christmas party where we created and shared our “perfect” Christmas morning vision boards. I was surprised at how much it helped me. It reminded me of what really matters and what I truly value. For me, it’s not about the Pinterest-perfect decor or the elaborate holiday treats. It’s about the warmth of the season, the feeling in the air, and how we spend our time together.

Baking? Yes. The smell of cinnamon rolls or bacon wafting from the kitchen? Absolutely. But it’s also about making space for what really matters (which is different for everyone): games, movies, and enjoying quality time together as a family. And above all, it’s about remembering Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas. Are we taking time to reflect and celebrate what this season is all about?

So, no… I’ve realized I’m not the Grinch. (Though, when my sassy 3-year-old makes a snarky comment, I do occasionally pout to my husband and say, “I don’t want to give him anything this year” — but hey, that’s nothing new. 😉)

What I am going to do is take a step back. I’m not going to scroll through social media comparing my home to others. I’m not going to let the sight of other people’s perfect cookies make me feel bad because I haven’t had time to bake. Instead, I’m going to focus on what’s most important: loving the people right in front of me, taking time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, and embracing the simple joys. I’ll be intentional about spending time in the Word, preparing my heart for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. And I’ll also ask myself: Did we do every single holiday activity, or did we simply enjoy the moments we had?

I’d love to hear how you all simplify the holidays and truly enjoy the season. Any tips you can share?

With love,
Chloe