I Almost Quit Christmas

Not the faith part. Not Jesus. Just… everything else.
The decorations. The traditions. The expectations. The chaos we somehow signed up for every December. And here’s the part that surprised me most:
When we did less… Christmas actually got BETTER!
Which is ironic, because around our house, we don’t just like Christmas… we commit.
We LOVE Christmas. Like full volume. Full Mariah Carey whistle notes. (One peppermint mocha away from leaving the tree up year-round.)
But somewhere along the way, Christmas quietly turned into a performance. Not because anyone asked us to… but because we kept saying “yes.”
Take our Christmas village: At one point, it was a FULL production.
Miniature ceramic houses. Shops. Ice rink. Fake snow. Tiny trees. Tiny lights. Tiny plastic people living their best Hallmark lives. It took six hours just to set it up.
And somehow… no one even noticed.
Even more shocking? No one really missed it when we stopped. So we retired the village. Because traditions are beautiful… until they start to feel like chores.
And don’t even get me started on Christmas lights.
I LOVE over-the-top lights. If your house can be seen from outer space, like Clark Griswold’s… we salute you!
The saddest day of the year is when the lights come down on January 2nd. (It feels rude, honestly.)
But this year? Fewer lights than ever. And guess what happened… nothing.
No tears. No protests. Just peace on earth and goodwill toward simpler décor.
Then there are the gifts.
Shopping is my superpower. I have lists. I have spreadsheets. I have gift ideas for your cousin’s dog. But we simplified that, too.
Now the spotlight is on the grandkids… because they’re delighted by literally anything. An empty box. Bubble wrap. A spoon.
Everyone else gets something better… time.
We TALK.
We LAUGH.
We PLAY games.
We make memories. And no one has to pretend they loved getting another scented candle.
So here’s my official Christmas Public Service Announcement:
Stop creating self-inflicted holiday chaos.
Stop trying to make everyone happy. Stop spending money like Santa is your co-signer. Stop chasing a Pinterest-perfect Christmas that doesn’t exist.
Do the parts you love. Skip the parts you don’t. And give yourself permission to say, “Yeah… we’re not doing that this year.”
Because Christmas isn’t about stress. Or perfection. Or the matching pajamas your family secretly hates.
Christmas is about JESUS!
He’s the gift. He’s the joy. He’s the reason we celebrate in the first place.
So, if your tree is crooked, your lights are lopsided,
and your cookies are a little burnt around the edges…
Congratulations! You’re doing Christmas beautifully!
Relax. Enjoy your people, and celebrate the Savior… the greatest gift of all.
Whatever you choose to do (or not do) this season…
I hope you choose PEACE.
I hope you choose JOY.
I hope you choose the SIMPLICITY that leads your heart back to Him.
This just might be your BEST Christmas yet!
Many blessings,

Nicole
P.S. Starting in January, I want to help you walk out what God’s been whispering to your heart. Join me for my NEW 5-Week Purpose Masterclass. We’ll be digging into your unique calling, helping you name it, and get total clarity. Start your new year with more power and purpose! Register NOW!

Something I don’t like to admit in public, I’m not naturally thankful. (Yup, I said it. It took almost my whole life to realize and admit it.)

Do you ever feel like you’re just not GOOD enough? 

(Like God must’ve accidentally dialed your number when He was handing out opportunities?)

We all have a little good and a little bad hiding inside us. 

On the outside, we look polished… hair done, makeup on point, outfit slayin’. We’ve got “the look.”

But… have you ever smiled like you’re the best friend in the world… while secretly hoping that friend’s promotion would fall flat?

Everybody was a little frazzled, and the boys were BORED!

Their parents said they were just going outside to blow bubbles. It didn’t sound magical or amazing to me.