I had something else entirely in mind for today’s post, but I spent all afternoon at a kids cookie decorating party. Super low key, just a bunch of homeschool kids in a community room with pre-bought icing bags and cups full of sprinkles. How on earth did that turn into a post about wanting you to take shortcuts this Christmas?

I kid you not, I had to reassure 50% of the Mom’s there that what they brought was ok. I heard three separate stories about why someone had store bought cookies instead of homemade. One about how the cookies were still sitting by the front door, when they came from out of town. Guilt about not being able to help from someone who was very ill. Apologies about arriving late when they had a little one who still naps…

I would give absolutely anything to take the weight of all of the constant pressure to be perfect Mom’s off of all of your shoulders. I try to convince every Mom of younger kids I talk to that it all turns out ok.

We asked each family to bring a dozen cookies for the kids to share and decorate. More than enough for last minute additions (or a forgotten batch). The store bought cookies were a roaring success! Two families brought different flavoured sandwich cookies and the kids started taking them apart and adding really creative layers inside. They had an amazing time!

This was such a low stakes event that it broke my heart a little to hear so many people worrying about such tiny shortcuts as buying the stupid cookies. Please, please, just buy the cookies. Official permission granted. Your Parenting/Homeschooling Fairy Godmother has waved her magic wand and dispelled your lingering guilt on the subject.

Maybe some amazing people out there are actually managing all of the things you think they are managing, but I am officially not one of them. I baked my cookies for that party an hour before I left, and only because I felt like it. I had every intention of stopping by the same store myself if I was short on time or not in the mood.

That “great party” I organized? I planned it with pre-bought icing tubes and no more prep than pouring sprinkles into a few cups. I prioritized easy clean up when I was making decisions about how to set up. (I am firmly on team Don’t be Wasteful, but I planned to hand dozens of small children a small mountain of icing and sprinkles, in someone else’s space. I used dollar store tablecloths with zero guilt.)

Could I have handmade the icing, bought the sprinkles in bulk in washable containers, brought and washed all of the dishes, and washed a dozen sticky tables on my way out the door? Yes, sure. Theoretically. Each individual task takes what sounds like a reasonable amount of time. You cannot do the long version of everything though.

Let me repeat that one for you again.

You cannot do the long version of everything!

I have no idea what your regular to-do list looks like, but I swear Christmas doubles it. Which is incredibly hard because, individually, the Christmas to-do’s are fun! We want to bake cookies, and see the lights, and go to that market, and visit those people, and be at that event, and cook that favorite, and and and and…

If I can convince you of anything this year, please let it be to take shortcuts. Do whatever you need to to take some of the stress off of your plate. Buy it pre-made. Delegate it to someone else. Say you’re sorry, but you can’t attend. Drop it from your list entirely. Leave off some frills. Do a simpler version. Get help. I’m serious. Let it go.

Think back to happy Christmas’s from your childhood. What are the things you remember? Which traditions bring you the most joy? You don’t have to do every single fun thing you have ever done at Christmas every year. Pick a few core things that are the most meaningful for you and sprinkle in anything else as you have time.

That’s my early Christmas gift to you, if you would like it. A bit more peace, a bit less guilt, and hopefully as many shortcuts as you need.

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