Holidays can be super stressful, can’t they? When do you get together with family? Do you alternate holidays with your side and your husband’s side? Do you try to cram both sides in the same day, the same weekend, the same week?

It’s exhausting!

A few years ago, my husband and I started our favorite Christmas tradition—and wish we started it sooner.

We decided we won’t go anywhere on Christmas Day.

We don’t shuffle the kids from one side of the family to another. We simply stay home, and it has been a beautiful blessing.

Either side of the family is welcome to pop in for a visit, but we don’t host a meal. We simply enjoy the day as a family. It’s a no fuss kind of day.

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So what does it look like?

It looks like sleeping in or getting up early.

It looks like kids staying in their PJs all day or dressing up if they’d like.

It looks like frozen pizza or a fancy dinner.

It simply looks like beautiful time together as a family, making memories.

But it always includes baking a cake or some type of dessert to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. After all, that’s what it’s all about.

RELATED: The Stress-Free Secret to a More Biblical Christmas

One day, I hope my girls tell me their families have decided to stay home on Christmas Day. What a beautiful gift that will be for their husbands and kids.

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Tynea Lewis

Tynea Lewis is a teacher turned freelance writer and watercolor artist. She and her husband are raising two girls, and they love spending time together at their family cabin. Tynea remembers loving to write as early as first grade, and she has a heart for encouraging women. She writes for various platforms, including Living By Design Ministries and Just Between Us. You can connect with her at tynea-lewis.com, on Instagram (@TyneaLewis) or Facebook (@TyneaLewisWriter). Her original hand-painted greeting cards are available at https://www.etsy.com/shop/WonderAndWanderArt.

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