Managing Holiday Expectations

I have a love/hate relationship with holidays. Here’s why.

Every year I have such grand plans for the holidays and all we’re going to do. Lots of gifts (or minimal gifts if I’m in that state of mind that year). Lots of decorations to make the home feel cozy and warm and full of life and love and magic, of course.

And then along come the holidays and it just never seems to live up to my expectations. Nothing feels magical anymore, setting everything up is so difficult (even with help), and it just doesn’t feel how I wanted it to feel. Inevitably I end up feeling sad it didn’t all work out, while still enjoying the little moments with my girls and husband.

I think a huge part of it is because of my ADHD. I love new ideas and thinking about how I’ll do things, but I’m not so good at putting things into action and actually doing them.

So, this year I’m going small. One bigger toy for each kid (already bought, just need wrapped and tagged), pajamas (also already bought, just need wrapped and tagged!) for them to wear throughout the season that they’ll get on December 1st, wrapping up our Christmas books so they can open one each night to read at bedtime leading up to Christmas. Simple ways of making the season magical without making things too difficult for me.

How do you manage your expectations for the holidays, without sacrificing the magic and family time? I’d love to know!