Dear Parents, It's Okay If Christmas Isn't As Extravagant This Year

It’s December and honestly, it doesn’t truly feel like it. I mean, we are a few days into December and Utah doesn’t even have snow. We always have snow this time of year.

And as the days have gotten shorter and the nights longer, it’s been hard to imagine that it is the holiday season already.

That’s exactly why the other day I had a good cry. I felt defeated knowing that this holiday season just wouldn’t be the same.

Not the same holly jolly Christmas we are used to.

No large family Christmas dinner.

No fun Christmas themed activities outside of the house.

And most of all, I realized, Christmas wouldn’t be as extravagant this year. No large, expensive gifts, and not large quantities of gifts either.

But you know what? It’s okay!

I think it took me a few good cries to remember what the holidays are all about.

The holidays are not about the over the top decorations or the amount of money spent on gifts.

It’s about the time spent with the ones you love. It’s about giving what you can without ever having to receive (and no I don’t just mean things money can buy).

While this year is different and while we may not be able to spend time with ALL of the people we love, there are ways around that.

For Thanksgiving this year, we FaceTimed grandparents and you know what? It was fantastic. Each one of our kids were fighting over who got to tell grandma and grandpa a story next.

We will do the same for Christmas.

Sure, it’s not the same as hugging grandma but it’s something and I have to remind myself, it’s only temporary.

So, if you feel the same way, like Christmas is ruined, I challenge you to see the upside of things.

This year’s Christmas will be a bit more quiet. A bit more personal. A bit more appreciated for all we have. Perhaps our kids will feel grateful and humble over it all.