How I Stopped Dreading Christmas (and Started Enjoying it Again)
- Cathy Borg
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The holidays used to give me a headache. Literally.
For years, I hosted Christmas dinner on Christmas Day. The full production: turkey, sides, desserts, the works. I'd spend the morning cooking, the afternoon hosting, and by evening I was exhausted. I barely remembered opening gifts. I didn't enjoy Christmas — I just survived it.
So a few years ago, I made the smartest move I've ever made: I stopped hosting on Christmas Day.
Now? Christmas morning is ours. We take our time opening our few gifts. We make a lovely breakfast. We watch Christmas movies in our pajamas. We walk around the neighborhood and look at lights. And in the evening, we go to Chinatown for dinner, because there's always a restaurant open, and I'm not in the kitchen.
Then on Boxing Day, I host a small Christmas dinner.
Same menu. Same people. But I'm rested, present, and actually enjoying it.
This is me doing me. And it might not be your taste — but here's what I learned: You don't have to do Christmas the way you've always done it. When you simplify Christmas and let go of what's not working, everything gets easier.
6 Simple Ways to Simplify Christmas and Destress
If the holidays are draining you instead of filling you, here are a few ways to simplify Christmas and make the season feel manageable again:
1. Move the date.Who says Christmas dinner has to be on December 25th? Host on Boxing Day. Or New Year's Day. Or the weekend before. The turkey tastes the same, and you'll actually enjoy it.
2. Shrink the guest list.Smaller gatherings mean less stress, better conversations, and fewer dishes. If you're hosting out of obligation instead of joy, it's time to rethink who's coming.
3. Let someone else cook.Going out for Christmas dinner isn't "cheating." It's choosing your sanity. Some of my best Christmas memories are in a crowded Chinatown restaurant with people I love.
4. Cut the décor in half.I used to put up ten boxes of decorations. Now? One box. The tree, the stockings, and the pinecone wreath my daughter made in third grade. That's it. And you know what? It still feels like Christmas. (Want help deciding what to keep? Here's my guide to storing holiday décor the right way.)
5. Rethink gifts.We give fewer gifts now. And they're thoughtful, not obligatory. A gift card to a favorite restaurant. A donation to a cause they care about. Time together. That's the list. (Here's my guide to regifting with confidence — because passing forward a quality item is better than buying something new no one needs. And if you're shopping for new gifts, shop local and give experiences instead of clutter.)
6. Say no to events you dread. You don't have to go to every holiday party. If it drains you instead of energizing you, skip it. Your real friends will understand.
The Question That Changed Everything
Before I made any of these changes, I asked myself one question:
"Is this tradition serving me, or am I serving it?"
If you're dreading the holidays instead of enjoying them, that's your answer.
What Changed When I Let Go
Now I enjoy Christmas. I look forward to it. I know I can manage and manage it quite well.
And here's what surprised me most: I'm a nicer, sweeter wife, mother, and friend.
I'm not exhausted. I'm not resentful. I'm not white-knuckling my way through traditions that stopped working years ago.
I'm present. And that's the whole point.
Your Free 2025 Holiday Planner
Need help organizing the season? I created a free Holiday Planner with 11 printable pages to help you track gifts, manage your budget, plan your menu, and organize your storage, so you can simplify Christmas and enjoy stress-free holiday planning.
You don't need to take a course on how to manage Christmas. Simply allow or give yourself permission to do it differently.
The best memories aren't bought. They're made. And they don't come from exhaustion; they come from presence.
Warmly, Cathy
Professional Organizer & Partner, In and Out Organizing
P.S. If you're waiting for permission to do Christmas differently here it is: You're allowed to make the holidays work for YOU.
More Holiday Help:
Need personalized help simplifying your home or your holidays?Call Brad for a free consultation: 📞 416-859-0518🌐 inandoutorganizing.ca
💛 Making Space for Your Life™ Serving Toronto & GTA with compassion and expertise since 2014
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