A Mom’s Guide to Survive (and Thrive) the Holiday Season

By Caitlin Houston

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is not just a holiday classic; it is also a widely sarcastic anthem for parents during the month of December. With or without children, the holiday season is emotionally provocative for anyone who celebrates. The multitude of emotions—from joy to stress to nostalgia to wonder—can be difficult to navigate while fulfilling holiday season responsibilities. Decorating, shopping, baking, gift giving and celebrations are only a few tasks on the universal Holiday To-Do list. How do you survive and thrive during the holidays? Four Connecticut moms are sharing how to endure and flourish during the holiday season because it’s your season to be merry too!

What or How Much to Do

An overlooked tip for avoiding unnecessary stress through the holidays is to stay true to your own personal limits. Don’t hesitate to establish boundaries, whether it’s saying no to certain invitations or toning down your holiday decor. According to a November 2023 survey, 83% of Americans decorate for the holidays (lombardohomes.com/states-that-decorate-the-most-for-christmas).

Regardless of which holidays your family celebrate during December, most parents are responsible for decking the halls both inside and out. “I’m pretty much the sole proprietor when it comes to holidays at our house, so it’s kind of limited by that alone. One person can only do so much,” says Smith, a mother of five and creator of DIY and decor blog, At Charlotte’s House. “When I decorate, it’s usually in drips and drops when I find a minute; it’s a few things outside, maybe a few wreaths or garlands inside, and possibly a mantel.”

Branciforte, a mom of four and creator of the YouTube channel and website, A Practical Mom, likes to keep decor super minimal, like just a tree and stockings. “With four small kids having too much ‘stuff’ during a time where there is already a lot of stuff—like presents and holiday cards and holiday kid art—can be super overwhelming. I find my holiday doesn’t feel lacking at all without decor all over the place.” Holiday decorations should be what you want them to be – and what you can handle without feeling overwhelmed.

The Stress of Giving Gifts

Did you know over half of U.S. parents list gift buying as the top reason for feeling stress during the holiday season? A 2023 survey by Civic Science (civicscience.com/majority-of-u-s-parents-are-feeling-the-added-stress-of-the-holiday-season) attributes finances to the stress of gift buying, but many parents say it is also keeping track of gifts, finding time to shop and choosing the perfect gift for their children.

Schinella, a mother of three and voice of the Camp by Mama blog, has an organizational tip for the gift givers in the family. “I keep gift lists on my phone in the Notes App. There is less of a chance that I will lose my list or forget what I bought for someone than if I were to write it down on paper.” Keeping track of gift ideas for loved ones all year long can help prevent racking your brain for a last-minute present, as well as overspending.

How Do You Avoid Spiraling Out of Control During the Holidays?

The holiday season is about joy, connection and gratitude, not just obligations. It’s okay to say no every once in a while; sometimes a jam-packed calendar results in feelings of overwhelm and disappointment. How can you (or your children) enjoy anything if you’re anticipating or rushing off to the next festive event? Take breaks. Soak in the twinkly lights and holiday spirit.

“I take it one second at a time, dedicating some of those moments to peace and quiet for myself,” says Houston, a mom of three and creator of the self-titled Caitlin Houston Blog. “Whether it is waking up a little earlier than everyone else to sip my peppermint coffee in silence or taking the long way home after a wrapping paper run to the store, I am intentional when it comes to slowing down to process what’s happening and what’s to come.”

Holiday Traditions

Whether you are practicing old holiday customs or establishing new ways to celebrate the season, traditions are at the epicenter of the holiday season. Decorating the house while the ornaments mysteriously vanish into tiny hands and crafting homemade gifts that suspiciously look like they were pulled from your own shelf can be chaotic. While children bring a unique sense of wonder to holiday celebrations, creating and maintaining traditions as a parent can take a whole new level of energy (caitlinhoustonblog.com/10-new-holiday-traditions-to-try-this-year). It’s okay to pick and choose what you do together as a family to make your memories more intentional instead of trying to do it all before the season is over.

Room 4 Four’s Favorite 

Holiday Traditions

Caitlin Houston: We love to drive around all month long with printed out “Holiday Cheer Awards” to stick in the mailboxes of the decorated homes we love best.

Megan Schinella: We enjoy a traditional meal in our Italian family on Christmas Eve, known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes, featuring a variety of fish dishes.

Charlotte Smith: We try to collect an ornament whenever we travel somewhere so that makes decorating the Christmas tree a trip down memory lane every year.

Kallie Branciforte: On Christmas Eve, we’ve invited friends to our home. While the holidays are usually all about family, I love incorporating the “friends that feel like family” into our holidays. It’s been a fun melting pot of different people each year. We do fun appetizers; the kids play and it’s just a really nice way to spend the night.

Caitlin Houston, a mother of three, is the blogger behind the Caitlin Houston Blog, an authentic life and style site established in 2008. She covers motherhood, mental health, New England living, style and family travel.