Five years ago I fired Martha Stewart and Super Woman from my life. It was all because my holidays were getting too stressful as I tried to manage my new online shop, my family, and all the insane traditions I built for the holidays. I love sharing tips to make the holidays less stressful. Here is How to Keep it Simple this Christmas Season/Home Tour.

How to Keep it Simple this Christmas Season/Home Tour

I grew up with a mom who did it all. She made us beautiful dresses, baked cookies for family and friends. Her house was decorated for the holidays and the pictures were taken and sent out in Christmas cards. They were sent to the countless people who live near and far.

So I tried doing it all. Ultimately I failed. I’ve now embraced a simple holiday style and want to share how I’m keeping it simple this Christmas season. Along with our home tour to give you and idea how to have that festive feeling without stress. This is how to simplify for Christmas and don’t feel the stress of the holidays.

Step number 1 in keeping it simple, no more Christmas cards and no more family photos. I figure people who want to stay up to date can follow me on social media. Now some of you mat think that’s so impersonal and that’s ok. I do share my personal life and behind the scenes on my Instagram stories. I don’t share the kids, as they don’t want to be apart of public life. It’s hard to go to school and hear from other kids that they’ve seen them at Target with their mom and what did you get kind of thing. I respect their privacy.

How to Keep it Simple this Christmas Season/Home Tour

Step number two. No more Christmas pictures with kids crying. Yes, every year there was at least one of the seven kids with their cry face on. Although I thought it was funny that I sent them out, I realized that the stress isn’t worth it. I mean it’s not like the kids liked dressing up and standing like soldiers. So then why was I doing it? I mean they were cute and it’s nice to see the families you care for at Christmas time, but no more for me. I have too much on my plate, so cute pictures will have to wait until maybe never. As I focus on keeping a simple Christmas season. You can read more about how I created this Farmhouse Christmas mantel and how much of a disaster it was.

Step number three, no more baking like Martha Stewart. I made some yummy cream cheese braids every year and would drive around dropping off goodie baskets. It was a huge production and quite honestly it was stressful at the end. I loved making them and giving them as gifts, but with business added to my life, I had to stop. I now buy homemade bakery and from Costco. It was just a mental thing for me to say it’s ok to keep it simple without baking for days on end. To make Christmas less stressful, I also don’t wrap my presents anymore. Take a look at my simple farmhouse wrapping. Of course there are some free printables as well.

How to Keep it Simple this Christmas Season/Home Tour

Step number four is the holiday decor. It’s so easy to get wrapped up into what other people are doing. Especially when looking online at all the beautiful homes decorated just perfectly. For me to keep the Christmas season simple with a focus on why we are celebrating is very important. It’s about the birth of Jesus the savior of my soul. I put some fresh cedar up from the yard. I made a fresh grapevine wreath because I had some spare time for a fun craft with friends. And then I pulled out my holiday pillows from last year with a few decor pieces. Also a few pieces I painted for my online shop and called it good.

How to Keep it Simple this Christmas Season/Home Tour

I want my friends and family to walk in and feel comfortable. Like they can sit down and put their feet up, drink some coffee, and visit without worrying that my house is too perfect. We want simple, relaxed with a focus on the reason for the season. Friends and family gathering around food and good visits. Where we can share the joys and struggles of life without judgement. We had to revamp Daisys napping porch for Christmas.

How to Keep it Simple this Christmas Season/Home Tour

It’s a beautiful time of year. It’s the best time of year and I want to keep it simple aw we celebrate this blessed Christmas time. I hope this helps show that it’s ok to let go of some things. To choose what is best for you and to be ok with whatever that is. If you want to decorate every room or not at all. If you want to give 50 million gifts or only a few. It’s totally ok. Just do what’s best for you and enjoy the small things in life.

Now I’m off to get some orders done. To stop early enough to make dinner for the family and to give Daisy her daily treat, because for me that’s what brings happiness.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas from our home to yours. And thanks for being here to support our small handmade business and blog. We wouldn’t be here online if it wasn’t for you.

Sincerely Rhonda

Today I’m joined by some talented friends who are also sharing part of their Christmas home tour with you…

Friday

The Happy Housie
Home Made Lovely
Maison de Pax
Just a Girl and Her Blog
Hallstrom Home

Jamie Costiglio
Sawdust 2 Stitches
The DIY Mommy
Summer Adams
All Things With Purpose

And the sharing has been going on all week long!

Daisy’s Favorite Doggy Advent Calendar for Christmas/Review

22 Comments

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Tracie on November 14, 2021 at 5:29 am

I buy the gifts early to avoid any late, last minute madness, and though I do cook and bake, it is in fun, not stress. If it is stressful, I see no shame in getting storebought goodies. I love the decorating, but my heart is for quality, not quantity of Christmas items, and I am aiming for what I love and not cheesy, cheap quality, or too much stuff. The house is too small for the types of elaborate displays some do that do look pretty at their homes, but that I can’t achieve at mine without overcrowding here and storage problems later.

I learned a lesson last year. I have a simple slim tree that is pretty, good quality, easy to decorate and very easily stored. I had an eye for a big elaborate flocked tree, and I went for it. It ended up very heavy, hard to store, and we were happier with just the one simple slim tree in the living room that was easy than the full, big, heavy flocked tree. I did not like having two trees with the slim one in the bedroom. I plan to donate the heavy flocked tree and just keep the simple, easy to carry and store tree we both love more anyway. The big tree crowded the living room, was heavy, and we both liked the simple easy tree better.

The simple tree is equally pretty and suits the fireplace area better anyway. I think it is a lesson I extended to the entire spirit of the holiday, which is celebrating the birth of Christ and being with family, and style though it is fine to prettify, don’t turn it into a heavy work that subtracts from the fun and joy! The big tree I think most people would think the “better” styled tree. But that just is not for us! I think a big tree can be gorgeous if you have space and storage, but don’t feel it has to be elaborate or perfectly perfect in your home or feel pressure!
- Rhonda Hallstrom on November 15, 2021 at 10:28 am
  
  Yes so many amazing tips you have!! I completely agree!!
Tina on November 15, 2019 at 6:08 pm

Simple is my love language this year. Love this post, friend!
- Rhonda Hallstrom on November 18, 2019 at 8:24 am
  
  Yes simple is best!! Thank you
Guerrina on November 15, 2019 at 10:52 am

Thank you, thank you! I love beautiful decor, but my finances don’t accommodate every room. Happily sticking with a wreath on my 2 doors, a decorated faux tree, a small centerpiece on my table and greens from outside! Most importantly those in my home can put their feet up and relax!
- Rhonda Hallstrom on November 15, 2019 at 2:24 pm
  
  Yes that sounds great! Simple is a great way to go and beautiful too!!
Kim on November 10, 2019 at 6:13 am

I was sooo sold on the Martha Stewart mindset when the girls were young. Thinking back, I don’t know how I even kept up? I mean especially at the holidays, I made breadbaskets out of homemade bread dough for goodness sakes 😫 All the neighbors and friends got pans of homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas and platters of 15 different cookies and candies. No more!! Our time with our girls is limited now so I’m in the moment not kitchen 🙌 well at least not as much 😂
- Rhonda Hallstrom on November 11, 2019 at 8:07 am
  
  Oh my stars bread baskets, now that is amazing!! Yes I used to do the same with so many cookies, what was I thinking!!