The holidays are supposed to be magical—but for most moms, they can also feel chaotic, overwhelming, and never-ending. The decorating, cleaning, shopping, cooking, wrapping, hosting, school events, and family expectations all stack up fast.
This year, instead of powering through on empty, try giving yourself a backup plan—a way to simplify the season, reduce the mental load, and protect the joy you deserve. Here’s how:
Outsource Where You Can (Guilt-Free)
Outsourcing doesn’t have to mean spending a ton of money. It simply means sharing the load instead of carrying everything alone.
You can outsource by:
- Trading tasks with another mom
- Asking a family member to handle one job completely
- Hiring help for one specific task (wrapping, cleaning, grocery pickup)
- Letting your kids take over a small tradition
Anything that frees mental energy counts.
Create a “Holiday Brain Dump” List
Instead of carrying everything in your head, write down every single thing you need or want to do for the season.
Then divide it into:
- Must-dos
- Nice-to-dos
- Not this year
You’ll be shocked at how many things fall into the last two categories once you see them on paper.
Use Bite-Size Tasks to Avoid Overwhelm
Big holiday tasks feel impossible because they’re actually multiple tasks in disguise. Break them down:
Instead of “wrap gifts,” try:
- Gather supplies
- Wrap 3 gifts
- Label + bag them
Instead of “prepare the house,” try:
- 10-minute kitchen reset
- One basket of laundry
- Clear one surface
Small steps create progress without burnout.
Shop Smarter, Not Harder
Hacks that save time (and sanity):
- Order groceries + gifts for pickup
- Buy duplicate teacher/family gifts
- Keep a few universal “emergency gifts” on hand
- Choose simpler gift wrap (one pattern for all gifts)
- Set a spending limit and stick to it
Efficiency = more time for the fun stuff.
Edit Your Traditions
Traditions should fill your cup—not drain it. Give yourself permission to skip or simplify:
- Skip events that don’t excite you
- Do one cookie recipe instead of five
- Replace time-intensive traditions with cozy, simple ones
- Choose quality memories over quantity of activities
Your family’s joy doesn’t depend on doing it all.
Protect Your “Joy Moments” First
Before you fill your calendar with obligations, intentionally schedule:
- Movie nights
- Baking with your kids
- A night to yourself
- A favorite holiday outing
- A slow morning with no plans
These are the moments that actually make the season feel magical—so guard them.
Simplify Your House Before the Gifts Roll In
A quick pre-holiday reset makes everything easier:
- Declutter toys
- Clear out one drawer or shelf for incoming items
- Donate outgrown clothes
- Toss broken decorations
A little prep now prevents the post-holiday chaos later.
Release the Pressure to Make Everything Perfect
Perfect Christmas trees aren’t real. Perfect houses don’t exist. Perfect holidays only happen on Instagram. Your kids won’t remember matching gift wrap or flawless decorations. They’ll remember the feeling of being loved, relaxed, and together.
The Takeaway: Give Yourself Backup This Holiday Season
Simplifying the holidays isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing less of what drains you and more of what matters. Protect your peace. Share the load. Let go of perfection. And create space for actual joy. You deserve a season that feels warm, calm, and intentional—not rushed and overwhelming.
Learn more about The Backup Plan
