Finding Joy in the Chaos: A Real Talk Holiday Guide for 2024
I was standing in my kitchen last weekend, surrounded by flour clouds and failed cookie attempts, when it hit me – the holidays don't have to be picture-perfect to be perfect.
In fact, some of my favorite holiday memories involve spectacular disasters turned into family legends. (Ask me about the Great Turkey Incident of 2023 sometime!)
As we dive into another holiday season, I've been thinking a lot about what really matters.
Sure, social media is flooded with perfectly curated tablescapes and color-coordinated gift wrap stations, but let's have an honest conversation about making this season actually enjoyable. ( Read Balancing Work and Holiday Joy: Finding Peace in the Hustle to find out how to make this holiday season enjoyable.)
First, can we talk about how holiday decorating has completely transformed? Gone are the days when every surface needed to sparkle with red and green. This year, I'm embracing what designers are calling "quiet luxury" – think subtle, sophisticated, and surprisingly simple. My living room now features a collection of wooden ornaments and dried orange garlands that make the whole space smell amazing. The best part? Most of my decorations came from nature walks with my kids, proving that sometimes the best things in life (and decorating) really are free and come from trees.
Image Credit: @sharonmccutcheon
The way we're gathering has shifted too. Last weekend, I hosted what I'm calling a "cozy casual" holiday party, and it was the most relaxed I've ever been as a host. Instead of stressing over a perfect menu, I created a hot chocolate bar with every topping imaginable and asked friends to bring their favorite holiday treats. The highlight wasn't the perfectly arranged charcuterie board (which, let's be honest, looked more "abstract art" than "Instagram worthy"), but the stories shared around my kitchen island about holiday traditions gone hilariously wrong.
Speaking of traditions, let's discuss gift-giving. After years of stressing about finding the "perfect" present, I've discovered something revolutionary: experiences trump stuff.
Last year, instead of buying a family member another scarf or tie, I got us a family trip to the local farm for a day we would never forget. We've had weekend adventures ever since, and our families are reaping the delicious benefits. It's sparked a whole new approach to gifting in our circle – my friends and I now pool our resources for meaningful group gifts rather than exchanging dozens of smaller presents.
But here's what I really want to talk about: self-care during the holidays isn't selfish – it's necessary.
I learned this the hard way after trying to be everything to everyone one season and ending up sick in bed during Christmas dinner. Now, I deliberately schedule "do nothing" days between events. Sometimes that means saying no to things I'd like to do, but I've learned that "No" can be a complete sentence, even during the holidays. (Though I usually soften it with "I'm protecting my energy this season" because it sounds nicer.)
The truth about my holiday season? My house isn't perfectly decorated, my gifts aren't professionally wrapped, and there's probably a pile of laundry just out of frame in my Instagram posts, if I even remember to post on instagram. But you know what? The joy is in the mess, the laughter is in the chaos, and the love is in the imperfect moments we share together.
This year, I'm embracing a new holiday motto: done is better than perfect. I'm keeping cookies in the freezer for unexpected guests, maintaining my morning ritual of quiet coffee time (even if it's just 5 minutes), and remembering that the best moments usually aren't the ones we plan.
And if you're feeling overwhelmed by the holiday pressure, remember this: behind every perfect social media post is probably someone just like you, doing their best to create magic while possibly burning the cookies. We're all in this tinsel-covered boat together.
So here's to the perfectly imperfect holidays of 2024 – may they be filled with more joy than stress, more laughter than perfectionism, and maybe just a few of those cookies I mentioned. Because let's face it, everything is better with cookies.
Your turn: What's your favorite "perfectly imperfect" holiday moment? Drop a comment below – I'd love to hear your stories!
