Simplify Christmas: Your Guide to a Stress-Free Holiday

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Depending on whether you relate more to Buddy the Elf or to Ebeneezer Scrooge, you’re either thrilled about the hustle and bustle of the season or dreading the flurry of activity. The holiday season promises joy, peace, and togetherness, but sometimes what it actually delivers is increased stress and exhaustion. 

If you’re one of the many who long for a more peaceful holiday season, Uncluttering Christmas: 25 Ways to a More Organized Holiday Season is exactly what you need. This new book by my friend Liana George shares practical advice to help you declutter your holiday and rediscover the true meaning of the season.

Liana and I recently co-authored the book Uncluttered: Shaping Your Heart & Home for What Matters Most, a book of devotionals which was published in June. When Liana told me she was working on a book about uncluttering Christmas, I couldn’t wait to check it out and to share it.

I’ve got a complicated relationship with Christmas. As a child, Christmas was a magical season filled with delights. As a young adult and young married, I threw myself wholeheartedly into the holidays. I loved everything about it. I would have gotten along well with Buddy the Elf if he’d been around then. 

But somewhere between my 30’s and my 50’s, all of that changed. Everything seemed more complicated. I wasn’t great at managing my time or prioritizing what really mattered. Christmas became synonymous with anxiety and never-ending to-do lists. Remembering the true meaning of the season sounded good in theory, but never happened in practice. Can you relate to my struggles? How I wish I’d had this book to help me! 

Following are the book’s Amazon description and the first chapter: 

Amazon description: 

“What if you could simplify Christmas?

Feeling weary from the holiday hustle and bustle? Imagine a Christmas filled with warmth, connection, and genuine holiday spirit—a season where you feel present, peaceful, and fully immersed in the magic around you.

In Uncluttering Christmas: 25 Ways to a More Organized Holiday Season, you’ll find inspiration to clear away the chaos and focus on what truly matters. Through personal anecdotes and heartfelt tips, this guide invites you to simplify and savor the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. 

From organizing gifts to planning meals and honoring cherished traditions, Uncluttering Christmas equips you to create a holiday that’s joyful, meaningful, and beautifully uncluttered.”

Chapter 1: Christmas Cheer, Priorities Clear: Focusing on What Matters

“As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.”  

—Eric Sevareid

“Have you ever paused, amidst the holiday rush, to ask yourself what you really want your Christmas season to look like? It’s easy to get lost in the never-ending cycle of shopping, decorating, and running from one event to the next. But what if instead of just trying to survive the holidays, you took a moment to intentionally design the kind of Christmas you truly want? 

A few years ago, I found myself overwhelmed by all the holiday demands. I was checking things off my list, attending events, and trying to make everything “perfect,” but deep down, I wasn’t feeling the joy. One evening, after a long day of errands, I sat down and asked myself a simple question: What if I let go of the things that don’t really matter? That small shift in mindset changed everything for me. I realized that instead of adding more to my holiday plate, I needed to start letting go of the unnecessary.

The first step toward a more peaceful, purposeful Christmas is not just about determining priorities—it’s about simplifying. Consider taking a step back this year, and instead of adding more activities and traditions, ask yourself: What can I remove? The less cluttered your schedule and mind are, the more room you’ll have to truly enjoy the things that matter most.

If you live with loved ones, this is a great conversation to have as a family. Set aside some time together to talk about the things that have filled your Christmas calendar in the past. Which activities brought real joy? Which ones felt like obligations or distractions? By collectively deciding what to let go of, you can reclaim the meaning of the season and free up time for what’s truly important.

Take some time to reflect and write out your answers to these questions:

  • What do we love most about Christmas? What moments bring us the most joy?

  • Which traditions feel meaningful, and which feel like we’re just going through the motions?

  • What obligations can we let go of to create more space for peace, rest, and connection?

  • How can we intentionally focus on what matters most—whether it’s family, faith, or acts of kindness?

By removing the things that don’t serve you, you’ll be left with more time, energy, and focus for the things that do. It’s not just about organizing or planning; it’s about simplifying in a way that allows you to experience the true spirit of Christmas without the stress and overwhelm.

So instead of making a longer to-do list, consider making a ‘not-to-do’ list. Be intentional about what you don’t want to include this year and commit to only saying yes to the things that align with your values and bring you joy. The more you simplify, the more space you’ll have for the moments that make Christmas special.”

Taking the time for the family conversation that Liana recommends in the above excerpt could be a game-changer. Make sure everyone can contribute to this critical discussion. Many times we participate in a myriad of activities during the holiday season just because we’ve always done them, not because they’re truly adding value to our lives. 

I’ve found that some of the most meaningful moments are the unplanned ones. A free evening with everyone gathered around the tree watching a holiday movie, sipping hot chocolate, or just reading quietly could be exactly what you need for some much-needed peace and togetherness. 

I hope you find these ideas helpful and that this holiday season is your best one yet. I’d love to hear what you learn from the book and how it improves your Christmas. Drop me an email and let me know (angie@shipshape.solutions). 

Here’s to an uncluttered Christmas! 

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Empower Your Kids: Teach Them to Be Organized