Christmas is messed up on many levels.

I couldn’t find the 1978 photo of me crying hysterically as the adults tried to peel me onto Santa’s lap, so this one will have to do.

My eyes still wet and fists clenched; some variety of trauma response.

Knowing this was more about pleasing my caregivers and not disappointing them than my own happiness. Even now, I feel a little guilty posting this photo, like somehow I am unappreciative.

The belief that I was "too sensitive" already alive within me.

“Let’s get this over with. No, I won’t smile.”

This began my mistrust of the man in the red suit.

Zooming in on the photo, all I can think is why, why, why.

Think about it: we force crying children to sit on “Santa’s lap” - some old white dude who is often a total stranger- and tell him if we’ve been good or bad and what we want for presents.

I’m not going to Freudian interpret that one.

But the bizarre and disturbing blend of consent, consumerism, and behaviorism isn’t the variety of holiday magic I go for.

And hey, if your kids love sitting on Santa’s lap, great. It is fun for them.

I also don’t want to make you feel guilty if you made your crying children sit on Santa’s lap.

But, also we can think twice about this practice.....

Then, there’s Elf on the Shelf.

My behaviorist nightmare.

What is behaviorism?

It connects behavior with character, limiting human potential, and putting us all in boxes of “good” or “bad,” saying we only DESERVE material things if we’ve been “good.”

Seriously, unpack some of these Christmas rituals as the reflection of messed-up Western society that they are.

And do we wonder why so many of us have issues?

How much has really changed from 1978?

For those families who do celebrate this holiday season...

Research is clear: the holidays can be a really stressful time for families and burnout is real. Mothers experience twice as much reported stress as fathers.

I like to remind myself that:
Most of the world does not celebrate Christmas,
and
Those countries that do celebrate Christmas spend nowhere near the $936.3 billion that Americans spent on Christmas in 2022.

The month of December, there is A LOT of stress, pressure, commercialism and unnecessary noise negatively impacting families during "the most wonderful time of the year." Between stress, commercialism, lack of consent and behaviorism, Christmas is messed up - or can be.

Yet, since 2014, I've been joyfully encouraging parents to stress less and have more simple JOY + MAGIC by:

  • Spending less.
  • Doing less.
  • Focusing on presence over presents.
  • Welcoming in simple moments of joy, magic, and fun with our families.
  • While also teaching our kids that not everyone celebrates

Every year, I offer a Holiday Magic workshop dedicated to stressing less - and having more simple FUN + MAGIC this season.

In the 30-minute Holiday Magic Virtual Workshop, we'll help you entirely structure the next month to decrease stress and increase simple FUN + JOY by:

🌟 Streamline and simplify by setting your intentions for this holiday season.

🌟 Downloading your December to do list to free your mind of mental stress and clutter.

🌟 Focusing on what you LOVE to LET GO of the rest.

With the bonuses of...
Your Guide to Holiday Magic and a Craft Guide dedicated to:

* Connecting with loved ones this season.

* Celebrating the natural world - all the pine & pine cones, cranberries, all the lights - and nature-based and recycled crafting.

* Focusing on giving - more than receiving.

I love offering this Holiday Magic process to parents this time of year.

Let's bring more simple FUN + JOY to your family this season - and focus on all you LOVE and LET GO of the rest.

Hope you can join us for the Holiday Magic Virtual Workshop - it's just $33 and comes with TWO simple guides.

p.s. 1 in 5 parents believe that their holiday stress levels negatively impact their children.

If you celebrate the holiday season this month - and feel stressed out just thinking about it - Holiday Magic is designed for you!

The greatest gift on Earth for our kids is parents who are present.