Every year, as Christmas approaches, we tell ourselves the same old lies. You know the ones that promise this Christmas will be the most magical and memorable perfect year.
We scroll through Instagram feeds. They are filled with flawlessly decorated trees and color-coordinated family pajamas. We also see a tablescape that belongs in a magazine. We see these snapshots of perfection and think, I need to do more.
Here is the truth: The pressure for a picture perfect Christmas is a lie. Believing it steals the joy from what this season is really about.
THE LIE OF A PERFECT HOME
We tell ourselves that our homes need to look like a winter wonderland. This includes fresh garlands, twinkling lights, and ornaments. All of them must fit an extravagant theme. This theme can’t be repeated every year.
But does anyone really care if the stockings do not match or if your tree leans slightly to the left? No one will even remember the centerpiece you had on the table. They will remember the warmth and laughter. They will remember how that made them feel.
Instead of striving for that pinterest worthy decor, let your home show your family’s personality. Its ok if the ornaments are mismatched or the lights do not twinkle in sync. Perfection doesn’t make memories, connections do.
THE LIE OF PERFECT GIFTS
How many of us have stayed up late, frantically wrapping? We worry whether we bought enough. Will our gifts measure up? We tell ourselves that the perfect gift will show someone how much we care.
The truth? Most people wont remember what you gave them a year from now. They will remember the time spent together. They will think of all the family stories on repeat. What will stay with them is the feeling of love shown.
Instead of stressing over the perfect gift, focus on meaningful ones. Its ok to keep it simple. Sometimes , a handwritten card or thoughtful conversation is worth way more than anything money can buy.
THE LIE OF THE PERFECT FAMILY GATHERING
We dream of a picture perfect family moment, everyone getting along, kids behaving perfectly, and the roast cooked to perfection. But the truth is that life is messy and that is ok. Kids get cranky, relatives differ in opinion, and inevitably someone will forget the dessert they were to bring.
The pursuit of a flawless gathering often leads to more stress than joy. We focus intensely on the menu. We adjust the seating arrangement meticulously. We perfect the way the house looks. In doing so, we miss all the magic in those precious moments.
THE LIE OF DOING IT ALL
We tell ourselves that a “good” Christmas means saying yes to every Christmas party. It includes baking cookies from scratch. We also send personalized cards and volunteer at every church event of the season. It is ok to say NO! (No is a complete sentence.)
Spreading yourself to thin will not make Christmas better, it leaves you exhausted and resentful. You do not need to make every aspect of Christmas meaningful.
Pick What is the most important to you and let the rest go. Your worth is not measured on how full your calendar is.
THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTMAS
The lies of Christmas perfection are hard to ignore. They are in our faces 24/7 during the season. It’s very hard to escape. But here is the thing: the perfect Christmas does not exist, and never has.
The magic of Christmas isn’t in the flawless decor. It’s not in the expensive gifts or the Instagram-worthy photos. It’s in the imperfect moments. These are the times you laugh until you cry because your mom slipped on the beans that spilled on the floor. The burned cookies still taste good. We find peace when we let go of the idea of perfection.
The messiness of it all is what makes it real, in that moment is where the magic happens ~ making of a minimalist
This year, lets stop believing the lies. Lets embrace the mess, the chaos, and the beauty of imperfection. Because the best Christmas memories aren’t the perfect ones, they are the real ones.
Making of a Minimalist 