As most of you know, I’ve been thinking about writing a Christmas ebook for a while now. And I totally was going to do that this summer.
But it became obvious to me that this just wasn’t the time of life to try writing another ebook, and I had a realization, which was that I could just write a series about Christmas instead of an ebook.
That sounded much more appealing to me. Yes, please.
So! That’s what we’re starting today…a series about Christmas.
What exactly about Christmas?
Well, I want to write about how to celebrate Christmas in a simple, inexpensive, but meaningful way.
Christmas tends to be a very stressful time for people (especially for women, in my experience), and this makes me sad. A holiday that should be a lot of fun has somehow turned into a time of year that we dread.
We seem to spend a lot of money and time buying lots of stuff, and what we have to show for it in the end are lots of not-good feelings.
And that seems like a terrible bargain to me.
Even if we don’t spend a lot of money, we do still seem to get pretty darn stressed out about this holiday.
So, during the series, I want to share about how to pare down, simplify, and reduce our stress during the holidays. I’ll share some practical ideas as well as some thoughts about changing your perspective and your expectations.
I haven’t arrived, so to speak, when it comes to keeping Christmas simple and stress-free. But the ideas I’m going to share with you are the things that help me when I struggle with this season, and I hope they help you as well.
P.S. Although this series will be about Christmas specifically (since that’s what I have experience in celebrating), I think that the ideas that I share will be quite applicable if you celebrate a holiday other than Christmas. There should be something for everyone.
elise
Wednesday 3rd of October 2012
I started thinking of Christmas on May 19th when I went to visit my sister-in-law. We don't see one another often, and of course it brought up the holidays. I said to her, " Every year around this time I get almost sick to my stomach thinking about what to get people for Christmas." She was surprised because as she said" Really, you give the greatest gifts ." She admitted having great anxiety about that time of year as well. I haven't excuse, I'm a retired teacher and at home now. She is a ER physician with a family and mother living with her. That I can understand. However, my feelings are real and I honestly get sick over it all. This series you will be doing couldn't have come at a better time. I'm grateful. You must be an angel sent from God. I'm sure it will be one of the most popular series ever ! I'm sure I'm not alone with this Christmas anxiety. Bless You ! Elise
Julie,
Tuesday 2nd of October 2012
I have been thinking about simplifying Christmas as well, mostly for frugal reasons. We are expecting baby #3 in about a month and I know financially it's going to be a stretch. Plus, I really can't imagine more stuff in our house right now.
My plan is buy each child one decent sized gift plus stocking stuffers (gum, chapstick, nail polish, etc) and call it done. If anyone has any great stocking stuffer ideas, I'd love to have them. They get so much from their grandparents, aunts and uncles, I can't imagine we will notice much difference and hopefully we'll be able to curb the craziness of it all.
We are also trying to move toward more experiences with our kids instead of "stuff." For example, last year for my son's 3rd birthday we took him on a horse drawn carriage ride downtown. He had a great time and nothing new came into the house. Win-win.
Andrea
Tuesday 2nd of October 2012
Not even kidding you - I just spent 30 mins or so on Katy's (Non-consumer Advocate) site looking under the search term "Christmas" for ideas like these, then this was my next stop and bam, here was this post!! It could not have been timed better. Every year the Christmas season just gets more and more stressful, and last year, I hated every second of it, including the parts that should've been fun, like watching my children open presents and spending time with family - hated all of it! The rampant consumerism and the stress and the money and and and - all of it! :( I vowed that last year would be the last year EVER that I felt like that, and to make changes this year. Since it will be rapidly upon us, I am already looking for ideas, and I can't wait to read this series! Thank you!
colleen
Tuesday 2nd of October 2012
Thank you for starting this series! Every year I say that I will keep it simple and keep ahead and every year I am freaking out at my kids and husband and wishing that I was a bit more full of joy... I know that you have probably already written a great deal of this series already, but I really hope that you have some sweet and loving ideas for gifts for a husband. What do I get a man that has everything!? Thank you so much for you blog-your cheerfulness comes out right through my computer screen and lifts me up when I need it. I have to admit, when I make a purchase I sometimes ask myself if Kristen would approve! :) Thank you for being a friend, even though you didn't know it ;)
Cpb
Monday 28th of December 2015
My partner and I did not give gifts to each other this year and was such a relief! You could talk about this rather than worrying what to get the man who has everything :)
Julie
Tuesday 2nd of October 2012
Looking forward to reading this. We have decided to do a simpler holiday this year. Mostly because... I'd rather spend the money traveling to be with family and being together than on huge and expensive gifts that are going to clutter my house more... Not to mention empty my bank account! So, I'm interested in seeing what ideas you have!