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Finding Peace, Purpose, and Glow in Simple Holiday Living
When “More” Stopped Feeling Magical
Last year, I was sitting at the kitchen table sipping coffee, looking at our bank app, and wondering how the holidays managed to get so expensive again. The receipts were still crumpled in my purse, a few unopened boxes sat in the closet, and we were still paying off “Christmas joy” well into the new year, after the magic was long gone.
Sound familiar?
Every December it seems like the budget creeps a little higher. We tell ourselves, it’s just one more gift, one more sale, one more “must-have” toy. Before we know it, the total has doubled, the credit cards are groaning, and the guilt sneaks in.
I’ve realized this isn’t just about money. It’s about peace. It’s about the noise we invite in when we chase more.
The Spending Trap We All fall Into During Christmas
Debt has quietly become part of the holiday season. According to TransUnion and other financial reports, Canadians are more in debt than ever, and many of us don’t even realize how much of that might come from December. We promise ourselves, next year will be different, but the cycle repeats — fuelled by the shiny marketing, social media pressure, and that not-so-subtle feeling of “not enough.”
We scroll past perfect Christmas morning photos with mountains of gifts spilling into the next room and wonder if our kids are missing out. Or someone flashes the brand-new iPhone (even though they got a new one last year, too) and suddenly our simple, thoughtful gifts feel small.
But here’s the truth: when did we decide that Christmas had to look like that to mean something?
The Christmas Mornings That Actually Mattered
When I think back to my own childhood, I don’t remember piles of gifts. I remember the smell of breakfast, the twinkle lights, and sitting on the floor with my sisters opening our stockings filled with candy and fuzzy socks and opening one or two special things we’d waited for all year.
That was magic. That’s why I am committed to making sure we recreate that 90s Christmas magic in our home.
Of course, now as an adult and a mom, I realize my parents didn’t have the option to spend hundreds of dollars on each child for Christmas every year (there were four of us!). But they never let the “lack” of gifts take away from the Christmas magic. In fact, I think my own childhood memories of the Christmas season are what make it my favourite holiday to this day. I strive to recreate those feelings for my own children.
But, as a mom, I see how easy it is to lose sight of that. My husband and I have bought toys that barely got played with, things that ended up in storage or given away within months. All because we wanted to give our boys that “special Christmas.”
This year, we’re done with that.
Why We’re Choosing Less This Christmas
After a week unplugged this summer, we both felt a shift. We spent our days outside, away from screens, and realized how alive we felt without the noise. It sparked big dreams — saving for a travel trailer, upgrading our vehicle, and spending more time as a family exploring Canada’s outdoors.
But dreams like that require intention (and money). And if we keep spending thousands every December, those dreams will stay dreams.
Being intentional doesn’t stop for the holidays. It’s not about being cheap or “missing out.” It’s about protecting what matters most, our goals, our peace, and our Glow.
How To Stay Content With Less
Here are a few gentle ways we’re bringing back peace and presence this Christmas:
1. Set the budget before the emotion hits.
Decide what you can truly afford before the sales start or the “buy one more thing” pressure kicks in. Write it down, share it with your partner, and stick to it like any other goal.
2. Use the 4-gift system.
It’s a simple but powerful idea I read years ago:
- Something they want
- Something they need
- Something to wear
- Something to read
It brings balance and meaning, especially for kids. But it isn’t just for kids. Use it for your husband, your parents, your Secret Santa draw at work. It takes away the guesswork and stops the impulse shopping that leads to clutter and guilt.
3. Focus On Experiences, Not Excess.
Plan a cozy movie night, a family baking day, or a simple walk to see the lights. Memories cost less and last longer. Read my post on how to have a 90s Christmas, when times were simpler and filled with more joy.
4. Reconnect With Your “Why.”
Ask yourself, what do I want my kids to remember about Christmas? Chances are, it’s not the price tags. It’s the cookies (like these homemade gingersnap cookies), the decorating the tree (try these easy homemade salt dough ornaments!), and simple things like Christmas music and seeing the lights.
When The Noise Feels Too Loud
If you find yourself scrolling social media and feeling that familiar guilt, pause and remind yourself of this age old saying: comparison is the thief of joy. Read this post here about how to stay off social media for your mental health — even more important during the holiday season.
Your family’s Christmas doesn’t need to match anyone else’s. Keep it simple. Keep it yours.
And if your heart feels heavy from the world’s pressure, and maybe you found yourself caught up in all the noise and business and now you feel drained and wondering how you’re going to survive the rest of the holidays, try my post on five daily grounding habits or how to find your rhythm again when wellness habits slip. It’s all about quieting the noise and coming back to peace… a theme that feels especially true this season.
Christmas is Supposed to Serve Your Joy and Wellness, Not Drain It
The holidays can be full of temptation… endless sweets, maybe some red wine and late nights, and “I’ll start over in January” habits. But if we treat wellness as a lifestyle, not a task, it stays with us through every season. You will love this post here about protecting your mental health through the holiday season.
Intentional living isn’t about rules. It’s about rhythm. I learned this the hard way (which is why I always try to use “rhythm” instead of “rules” or “routine”). And that rhythm can carry your Glow into the new year without the crash.
Join The Glow Community This Season
If this post speaks to you, I’d love to stay connected! Subscribe to Let’s Glow for exclusive discount codes, wellness tips, new blog updates, and simple inspiration for moms learning to slow down, live intentionally, and find peace in the everyday.
You’ll get encouragement in your inbox that feels like a breath of fresh air — especially during the busy months ahead.
It’s Really Not As Complicated As It Seems
Less truly is more. This Christmas, may we give fewer gifts but more presence. May we trade the credit card bills for calm mornings, the excess for gratitude, and the comparison for contentment. 😅✨
Because the beauty of less is that it gives us more of what we actually need — peace, joy, and time with the ones we love most.
Subscribe, share, or comment below. I’d love to know what small change you’re making this Christmas to protect your peace!
Bryana Venos is a Canadian writer, blogger, and content creator – but most of all, a stay at home mom of two boys and the main voice behind Let’s Glow. She writes about motherhood, wellness, and simple, nourishing recipes, sharing her real journey with faith, mental health and post-partum struggles. Her focus is on gut health, daily rhythms and intentional living. Her goal is to support other women and mothers in creating lives and homes that they “glow” in — from the inside out. This blog reflects her personal experiences and is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice. The content on this site was created by Bryana Venos and was not written, reviewed or approved by any third party sellers or brands featured on this site.
