Unwrapping the Magic

we judge everything (honestly)

A Revolutionary Approach to Holiday Planning – From Post-Prime Day Shopping to Ziplock Stocking Stuffers and Group Getaways: The Art of Embracing the Magic Without the Stress.

Ah, December, the month where being a parent feels more like a chaotic circus than a magical journey. From playing detective with presents to juggling schedules that rival a NASA launch, it's a wonder we survive the holiday season with our sanity intact.

The real MVPs? Millennial moms, navigating the intricate dance of family events, school dress-up days, and the ever-elusive quest for the perfect gift.

I've spent the last few years in a bundle of stress for the entire month, feeling like I can't actually enjoy the December bucket list (you know the one...Christmas cookies, Santa visits, driving to look at lights, drinking a glass of wine in a room lit up by my only Christmas tree. Sound familiar?) because my mind was consumed with what needed to get done. I was constantly on my phone ordering gifts and watching sales, tending to my near endless to-do list making sure anyone and everyone was taken care of...except myself.

At the end of the day, something had to give and I needed a complete system overhaul.

But fear not, fellow magic-makers! I embarked on a revolutionary mission to transform December from a stress-fueled sprint to a leisurely stroll. 🚨 Spoiler alert: it is working like a charm, and I'm never going back.

Picture this: I decided to defy the laws of holiday physics and have 95% of my shopping done post-Prime Day and Cyber Monday. It sounds insane, I know. But I committed, and I did it.

Wrapping presents? No problemo! I wrapped them the night each package arrived, and this year each kid gets a designated roll of paper – no tags needed, because who needs extra steps? Any present wrapped in a snowflake is yours, and the ones wrapped in trucks with trees are yours. Ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom.

Santa’s gifts? They’re coming straight out of Santa’s sack of toys, unwrapped and ready to enjoy.

Stocking stuffers? As I bought little gifty-gifts they went into Ziplock bags, my friend. Open ‘em up, pop 'em in on Christmas Eve like a festive pro.

And family gifts? We decided to coordinate and forget the individual nieces and nephews – we pooled our resources for a group hotel night the day we are celebrating Christmas as a family. Experience gifts for the win – with a bonus of instant gratification and zero stress (lol, jk packing and traveling bring stress of their own).

I ensured all those Pinterest-worthy projects with the kids had ingredients in-house before December hit, which means stuff for making Santa's cookies or ornaments for family is halfway handled. No last-minute Target runs or grocery store trips.

However, in debatably the most surprising turn of events, I’m deciding that I’m not the only magic maker. I let my husband take the reins on some tasks – after all, holiday magic doesn't have to be a one-person show. And, admittedly, I need to stop being a control-freak that’s unwilling to let in more support and help.

Sure, November got a taste of the chaos normally reserved for December, but guess what? In comparison, it was a breeze. Less hustle, fewer obligations, and my resentment levels? Non-existent. I'm not trading magic-making for being part of the magic; I'm doing both and savoring memories that'll outlast my epic holiday planning skills. Cheers to stress-free Decembers and memories that sleigh! 🎄✨

😎 Disclaimer: forget those fancy parenting books and baby whisperers. We're self-proclaimed experts in the "School of Hard Knocks" and proud graduates of "Mommy University." Our qualifications? Well, we've survived more tantrums than you can count, and we can fold a fitted sheet in under three minutes (sometimes). This blog shares our opinion, experiences and tips that have worked for us; not everyone's experiences will be the same (obvi).