Simplifying the Holidays: A Path to Joy and Connection
Choose simplicity this season.
The holiday season is a time of celebration for many around the world, but it’s also easy for it to become a time of overwhelm.
During the months of November and December, we often find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of to-do lists, shopping, decorating, and preparing for gatherings. Whether you're celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Yule, or another holiday, the push to create the perfect festive experience can overshadow the deeper meaning of the season.
Here at Waldorfish, we believe that simplicity and intention are key to creating a joyful, connected holiday season. No matter which traditions you hold dear, the true magic of the holidays lies in connection, presence, and shared moments with loved ones. Here’s how we can return to the heart of the season, creating a time of peace, joy, and togetherness.
1. Reframe Gift-Giving
Gift-giving is central to many holiday traditions, from the exchanging of gifts on Christmas morning to the lighting of the Hanukkah candles alongside small, meaningful presents. But these gifts don’t have to be extravagant or numerous.
Shifting the focus from quantity to quality can bring deeper meaning to the season. Consider giving experiences vs. things.
Consider creating or exchanging handmade gifts, or sharing experiences as gifts. For example, during Kwanzaa, you might explore ways to make thoughtful, creative gifts that honor the principle of Ujamaa (cooperative economics), focusing on supporting artisans or small businesses. Whatever holiday you celebrate, the goal is the same: to give from the heart, and to embrace the joy of giving without the pressure of excess.
2. Pare Down Traditions
Many families feel the weight of multiple holiday traditions—some inherited, some newly created. If you celebrate more than one holiday, like both Yule and Christmas, the calendar can quickly become overwhelming with activities and events.
Take a step back and consider which traditions hold the most meaning for you and your family. Perhaps you keep the Solstice simple, with a family bonfire to mark the return of the light, and save other festive activities for another day. If you're celebrating Hanukkah, maybe you choose just one night to gather with extended family, making the rest of the evenings more intimate and focused on your household.
The holidays don’t have to be packed with events to be meaningful. Choose the moments that truly bring you joy, and let the others fall away.
3. Create Space for Creativity
Where can you create space for creativity this season?
Creative expression is a wonderful way to bring simplicity and connection into the holidays. No matter which holiday you’re celebrating, making time for crafts, homemade decorations, or baking can create special moments of togetherness.
You might create handmade decorations for your Christmas tree, or craft Kwanzaa kinara candles together. During Hanukkah, you could engage in simple art projects like painting dreidels or making homemade gelt (chocolate coins). For families celebrating the winter solstice, creating nature-based crafts such as wreaths or sun catchers can help bring the outdoors in and honor the season. The focus is on creativity, not perfection. These moments of making allow us to slow down and enjoy each other's company.
4. Embrace Nature
No matter which winter holiday your family celebrates, nature provides a soothing counterbalance to the busyness of the season. Taking time to connect with the natural world can ground us and help us rediscover the beauty in simplicity.
A winter walk, gathering pinecones or greenery, or simply sitting by a window to observe the changing light of the season can bring a sense of peace and calm. If you celebrate Yule, you may already incorporate elements of nature, like evergreens and candles, to honor the winter solstice. Even if nature is not a traditional part of your holiday, spending time outdoors can offer a quiet moment of reflection and renewal in the midst of the festivities
Being present is a true gift not just for yourself, but for your family!
5. Focus on Presence, Not Perfection
Whether you're lighting candles for Hanukkah, gathering for a Christmas feast, or celebrating Kwanzaa with stories and song, the pressure to create a “perfect” holiday can be immense.
But what if we let go of perfection and instead focused on being present?
When we stop striving for the flawless holiday meal or the perfectly decorated home, we create space for the true spirit of the season to emerge—connection, love, and presence. Let the kids hang their handmade ornaments, even if they don’t match the theme. Simplify the meal if it allows for more time together around the table. The holidays become more meaningful when we focus on the people we’re with rather than the pursuit of perfection.
6. Honor Rest
The holiday season often brings a sense of busy-ness, but it’s also a natural time for rest. In the colder months, nature itself slows down, inviting us to do the same.
In many traditions, the holidays are a time of reflection and renewal. The winter solstice, for example, marks the longest night of the year, a time for quiet contemplation and honoring the darkness before the return of the light. In the spirit of this, you can give yourself permission to rest during the holidays, whether it’s an afternoon nap, a quiet evening with a book, or simply a day spent at home with no plans. Rest is essential for recharging and fully enjoying the moments of celebration.
Simple and meaningful celebrations bring true JOY! to your family gatherings.
By simplifying the holidays, we create space for what truly matters—presence, connection, and creativity.
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, or any other holiday, the heart of the season remains the same: it’s a time to come together, to share joy, and to honor what’s most important in life. This year, let’s embrace simplicity and return to the essence of the holidays—one of love, peace, and togetherness.
Happy holidays from Waldorfish, where creativity and connection come first!
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About the author:
Robyn Beaufoy is Waldorfish’s CEO, and also the course instructor for Simple Season, Waldorf Art for Beginners, and Weekly Art Foundations. You’ll find her intuitive touches and influences throughout everything Waldorfish offers! Robyn has been in the world of education for over 25 years, with an MA in Education and a certification in Waldorf teaching - she also homeschooled both of her children for some of that time. In 2012 Robyn co-founded Waldorfish.com, creating it with the vision of making Waldorf inspired-art and pedagogy more accessible, joyful, and doable for homeschoolers all over the world.
