There is a bible story that always hits hard for me this time of year. I read it in one of my daily devotionals a couple of years ago. The story is of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). The cliff notes version: Martha and Mary are expecting Jesus for a visit. Martha works hard to welcome him…food, cleaning, the whole bit. Meanwhile, Mary sits at his feet to listen to him. Martha is frustrated that Mary is just sitting there while she does all the work. Sound familiar? However, Jesus tells Martha that Mary is choosing what is more important. My takeaway from this story is to remind myself not to be a Martha during the holiday season. To stop fussing about table settings and “Pinterest-worthy” décor, but to be a Mary and focus my attention on what truly matters. To focus on my family and friends. To be present. To focus on kindness and the reason for the season. Below are some ways I am choosing to make things easier for myself. How are you going to be more like Mary this season?

Maybe some of these ideas will spark a way for you to simplify and spend more time with your loved ones this year.

• I am hosting Christmas Eve and normally I would take on way more of the food responsibility than necessary. This year we are splitting it up between everyone in the family. We are having appetizers and different soups. Don’t tell, but I am even going to purchase the premade Panera soup from Costco and throw it in my crockpot. Let’s be honest, it’ll probably taste better than my broccoli cheddar anyway.

• Every year we try to decorate gingerbread houses. Every year we get the kits that have you make the house (and they all fall apart). This year I found pre-assembled houses with icing and candy decorations for you to use. I saw kits at Aldi, Costco, and even McLain’s Bakery here in KC.

• This year I let the kids put the ornaments on the tree and I haven’t even rearranged the bottom level that is drowning in ornaments.

• Letting go of the need to visit all the favorite KC spots with Christmas lights. We chose one experience to take the kids to at night which includes ice skating. No more cramming activity after activity and wearing the whole family out when all you really want to do is enjoy the wonder of the season. When you or your children are tired, no one is having fun.

• Money is always a holiday stress. Here is an idea for next year—you can start putting money aside for the holidays months in advance so when it’s finally here there is a bit of a cushion for gift buying. We did this for this holiday season, and it worked great!

I also wanted to leave you with two of my favorite activities that we do every December. Your kids will get absorbed in the activities and it’ll free up some time for you. Don’t forget to join in the fun when you can, though. Remind yourself all season long to be a Mary, not a Martha.

• Purchase the holiday bake shop or Santa workshop cardboard house from Target. They are $25.00, but so worth it. Without much time on assembly for you, the kids will spend hours/multiple days coloring it and then playing pretend that I think it’s worth the cost. However, you can always create something similar with a cardboard box at home.

• Order dot stickers on Amazon (you can get a huge pack for under $10). We’ve been using the same pack for a couple of years now. Draw a big Christmas tree on paper and/or snowflakes and have them decorate the lines with the stickers. You can add extra layers to it by having sections that they must make a certain color etc. It takes 2 minutes of set-up time for you and they will love it!

Is there anything you can simplify, delegate, or remove entirely to lighten your load?

Don’t forget, the event at Busy Bean Play Café is this Sunday, December 10th from 10:30-12:30. Aprons are included in your 2-hour ticket price. I will be reading T-Rex and Tuck Explore the Kitchen for the first time. There will be cookies to decorate and copies of the book to purchase (I’ll even sign them).