Call me crazy, but as soon as the calendar hits the “ber” months, my heart starts to race. Excitement, anxiety, fear, anticipation – yep, all of it. Moms carry a lot of holiday stress by default. The real question is: how do we not only survive but thrive under the onslaught of responsibility and expectation?
Unpopular opinion alert: most of the holiday hoopla gives me immense joy – even if it’s exhausting. The trick is learning to recognize stress early and manage overwhelm before it spirals out of control. As a mom to many (MANY), I’ve honed my holiday craft over the years, organizing and prioritizing what gives me energy and cutting what drains it. The truth? Much of our stress is optional; it’s controllable. Overwhelm, on the other hand, is what happens when too much uncontrollable stress sneaks in like a Grinch to steal our sanity. For me, organization is the key to keeping that Grinch in check. Our brains are supercomputers, but when too many tabs are open, the processor slows down. My fix? Get things out of my head and onto paper (or better yet, into a Google Sheet). A list frees me up to rest, psychologically, at least, and details are less likely to fall through the cracks. Once my thoughts are sorted, I can get creative with clarity instead of spiraling into chaos.
Step One: Breathe
For real. Regulate yourself and keep that Abominable SnowMomster at bay. You literally can’t pull off a multi-layered holiday season if you’re stuck in survival mode. Continue to prioritize your self-care, or even take it to the next level. Personally, I gift myself a little holiday pedicure as a “Go, Me!” pep talk. I go to bed when I’m tired and wake up early when the house is quiet. (No one bothers me at 5:00 a.m. Pure magic.)
Step Two: Organize! It! All!
I use the same spreadsheet every year, no reinventing Santa’s sleigh. My Google Sheets Master Holiday Plan includes reusable tabs for:
Tab 1. Meal Plans (Thanksgiving through December): Pre-planned grocery lists and menus save brain space. I order groceries straight from the menu so I don’t forget that one darn thing. Stockpile staples early, grab turkeys on sale (buy at least two!), and plan easy meals for the busiest days.
Tab 2. Gifts: Two tabs – “Family” and “Others.” I track who, what, and when all year long, so I’m ready when the deals hit. One trick I’ve learned: Don’t wait until November or December to start shopping. Out-of-season deals pile up savings.
Tab 3. Events: Dates, participants, tickets, reminders – everything goes here. I add alerts to my phone for ticket releases and RSVP deadlines.
Tab 4. Shopping and To-Dos: Linked with phone reminders for sales and errands I don’t want to miss.
Step Three: Evaluate and Eliminate
Ask: What’s worth my time, and what’s worth my money? Outsource, buy, or DIY accordingly. Then, clear the physical clutter, because physical clutter equals mental clutter. Clean out the fridge, organize the pantry, donate old clothes and toys, and make sure the car fits in the garage. Knock out small weekend projects, and you’ll feel lighter before the season even starts.
Step Four: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Stick with what you know. Holiday dinner is not the time to experiment. (I’m still haunted by the Great Cranberry Jell-O Mold Incident of 2023.)
Paper plates. Use them often—the End.
Delegate. With caution – or reckless abandon. Your choice. My husband and I hold Sunday reviews to coordinate our schedules, troubleshoot any issues, and divide our duties.
Reverse engineer your outcomes. What needs to happen, and by when? Set phone reminders and actually follow them. I strategically sprinkle in a few days off work to help me catch my breath.
Step Five: Protect the Magic
Traditions, whether flashy or simple, anchor us in stability, predictability, and comfort. They’re a hug for the soul. No extra thought required, just plug and play. You’ll regret skipping out simply because you were too tired or overwhelmed, so embrace the ease of familiarity.
Step Six: Start Early, End Happy
It’s never too early to start. My goal each year? Finish planning and prepping early enough to enjoy the season in real time. Christmas in July is not a joke at my house; it’s strategy.
Bonus Tip: Don’t sleep on December 26th! My husband and I hit the 50-75 percent-off sales every year to stock up for next season: teacher gifts, decor, wrap, advent goodies, you name it. Future-me always says thank you.
Let organization and intentionality be your gift to yourself this season. Trust me. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
