Christmas week is a madhouse.

There are busy grocery stores…hurrying to get everything just perfect…unending To-Do lists…panic setting in.

Just a gentle reminder for every stressed out and busy heart:

1. It’s ok to buy cut & bake Christmas cookies in the refrigerated section vs homemade. Enjoying cookies together is the sweetest.
2. It’s ok if your home looks lived in. It doesn’t have to be perfectly decorated. It matters that people feel like Home & are treasured.
3. Homemade hot cocoa (with homemade whipped cream & marshmallows) is ideal…but Swiss Miss with spray can whipped cream & JetPuff marshmallows is also special. It matters that family & friends (& you) feel warm in their heart.
4. You don’t have to gift wrap with perfect bows…gift bags are convenient and carry gifts out too ftw.
5. It’s ok to buy Bob Evans mashed potatoes and other prepared foods. Gathering with the people you love best is what’s most important.
6. Relationships don’t have to be perfect to put aside differences for the day to create good memories. I’m not talking about abuse…that should never be excused or tolerated. We each are unique in our thoughts/beliefs, how we process life, and how we love. Celebrating the best in each other daily…making lasting memories…intentionally making time for each other…supporting one another…loving to our best ability…that creates a beautiful family — and life.
7. It’s okay to do a fun dinner with non-traditional foods. I know someone who does enchiladas every Christmas. Another who does take-out Chinese, someone else who does pizza, and another who grills shrimp. It matters getting together and enjoying each other’s company.
8. It’s ok to not buy a bazillion gifts and focus on giving meaningful gifts instead.
9. Take time out to deeply care for your loved ones…and your own heart. It’s highly beneficial to simply spend time with loved ones, have good and enjoyable conversations, do fun activities like watching Christmas movies, listen to soft Christmas music, go on a relaxing walk, get a warm cozy holiday coffee or hot chocolate and look at lights, relax by the tree. Hug the hearts around you..and hug your own heart too!
10. Remember the Reason for the Season. The first Christmas was pretty simple, meaningful, & full of love. It’s a valuable, beautiful blueprint worth honoring.

At the heart of every holiday…especially Christmas…you can stress yourself out so much by putting too much on yourself & others.

Breathe…
Relax…
Put God & people first…
Seek peacefulness…
Love & treasure everyone around you…
Look for the beauty in everyone & everything…
Savor and treasure every memory made.

🎄🩷🎄

~ Kim

©2025 Grief Bites. All rights reserved.

❤️If you were encouraged by this post, please feel free to share it to encourage others!

⭐️For more encouragement:

❤️Making peace with God: http://www.peacewithgod.net

❤️Getting Your Breath Back After Life Knocks It Out of You (Kim’s book): https://www.christianbook.com/getting-knocks-transparent-journey-seeking-through/k-b-h-niles/

❤️Connect on Facebook by “liking” page: https://www.facebook.com/GettingYourBreathBackAfterGrief

❤️Kim’s blog: https://www.griefbites.com

❤️FREE YouVersion reading plans:

1.  The True Treasure of Christmas:  https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/28852
2. Grief Bites: Hope For The Holidays: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1964-grief-bites-hope-for-the-holidays
3. Experiencing Holidays With Jesus: Christmas: http://bible.com/r/3V5
4. ⭐️NEW!⭐️ Lord, How Am I Ever Going to Get Through This?: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/48271
5. Grief Bites: Finding Treasure In Hardships: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/912-grief-bites-finding-treasure-in-hardships
6. Grief Bites: Doubt Revealed: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/954-grief-bites-doubt-revealed
7. Grief Bites: A New Approach To Growing Through Grief https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/862-grief-bites
8. Experiencing Holidays With Jesus: Happy New Year!: http://bible.com/r/3Zv
9. Valentine’s Day: Experiencing Holidays With Jesus: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/14059-valentines-day-experiencing-holidays-with-jesus

⭐️All content on the Grief Bites blog and website is copyright protected material. Please ask for permission to copy, use, or print. 

⭐️⭐️All content on the Grief Bites blog and website is for encouragement purposes only and is not in any way to be construed as medical, emotional, mental, relational, or psychological advice. We hope to serve as a bridge to encourage others by sharing our personal grief and life experiences. Please contact a qualified healthcare professional, mental health professional, or qualified pastor for guidance and advice.