If you were to ask my children how they prefer to spend Christmas morning, their answer would be simple: “Stay home all day in our pajamas, playing with our new toys.” And that’s exactly what we’ve embraced for the last few years—without a hint of regret.
Things weren’t always this way, though. Before we had kids, Christmas was a time spent in Maine with extended family, a tradition we cherished. Escaping the hustle and bustle of city life was refreshing, and the likelihood of a snowy Christmas was nearly guaranteed. Our family members went all out with beautiful decorations and were always incredibly welcoming.
However, everything changed when our first child, Oliver, was born a decade ago. What was once a joyful holiday journey turned into an exhausting ordeal. Our baby was a car screamer, which transformed our four-hour drive into an eight-hour marathon of stops and attempts to calm him down. Once we finally arrived, the charm of our family home quickly faded when faced with the challenges of a new baby in an un-babyproofed space. His Christmas breakfast that year? Pinecones and tinsel.
We hoped for a better experience the following year but soon realized that traveling with kids during the holiday season was not all it was cracked up to be. Packing and unpacking took more time than enjoying our destination. While the car screaming eventually stopped, we were still left with cranky kids—especially when we added another child into the mix.
As they grew older, my children began to express a strong preference for celebrating the holidays in our cozy home. Who can blame them? Most kids thrive in familiar surroundings, especially during such a magical time. They want to wake up, surrounded by comfort, and dive into the toys they’ve been dreaming about for weeks.
So, a few years back, we made the decision to end our annual Christmas trip to Maine. I won’t lie; that was no easy feat. The holidays are often fraught with emotional expectations, and breaking from tradition can lead to guilt and pressure from others. It’s tough to establish new norms, especially when others may not understand or agree with your choices.
While I do miss the special moments spent with extended family—watching my kids bond with their aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents—there’s something equally enchanting about spending the holidays with just my immediate family. The “just us” holiday allows us to stay up late, munch on popcorn, and watch classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street until the kids drift off to sleep in our arms. It means waking up together on Christmas morning, enjoying leftover cookies for breakfast, and embracing the freedom of having nowhere to be or anyone to impress.
It’s about baking in our pajamas without worrying about making a mess in someone else’s kitchen. It’s about avoiding the stress that often accompanies juggling multiple personalities and preferences during the holidays. The joy of having uninterrupted time off from work is truly special, allowing us to indulge in lazy moments together as a family.
Yes, this approach sometimes means upsetting family traditions and perhaps disappointing some relatives. But it also opens the door to creating new traditions that my children will cherish for a lifetime. If you find yourself overwhelmed by holiday obligations and believe that a cozy celebration at home with your immediate family would suit you better, don’t hesitate to make that choice. Break free from the expectations. Create your own magic.
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In summary, embracing a ‘just us’ holiday can bring profound joy and relaxation to your family celebrations, allowing you to cultivate cherished memories right at home.