10 Ways to Slow Your Pace at Christmas

December 15, 2025

As we draw nearer to Christmas, the pace quickens, our hearts beat faster and faster, and the expectations seem to grow exponentially.

We pile on the expectations as we pile the presents under the tree:

Everyone has to be present—all the kids have to be here.

The décor has to be just right.

The cookies must be perfectly frosted.

Every neighbor, teacher, and pastor must have a perfectly-packaged box of goodies.

Every person on the list must have a carefully-selected present.

We must attend concerts, parties, and lighting ceremonies.

We do it to ourselves. We expect so much out of the season, and we expect so much out of ourselves. Exhausted, we crumble in a heap on the armchair wondering if it’s all worth the hubbub.

While I have found that there is no way to completely avoid the quick tempo of the Christmas beat, there are ways to soften the season’s driving demands.

It’s okay not to fulfill every expectation we set for ourselves, and it’s okay not to fulfill every expectation others set for us. We simply can’t “do it all,” and I don’t think God designed us to be so frantically busy.

How can we take joy this Christmas and not let it slip through our hands and out of our hearts? By focusing on what’s truly valuable we can take back the joy.

Relationships are what’s truly valuable. Not stuff. Not trinkets. Not attending every single event or party we are invited to attend.

Genuinely connecting in real-time relationships with folks we love (or are learning to love) brings joy. Every moment doesn’t have to be planned, and often the unplanned moments with friends over coffee or with children baking in the kitchen are some of the best memories.

It’s okay to slow down.

It’s okay not to accept every party invitation.

It’s okay to keep gifts simple.

It’s okay to enjoy the lovely, impromptu moments that make Christmas special.

Today I want to share 10 ways to slow your pace at Christmas. I am actually,

legitimately doing these ideas, and I feel more restful because of them!

10 Ways to Slow Your Pace at Christmas

Sit outside in the sunshine.

Take a walk around your yard (what I’ve been doing lately these pregnancy days…)

Spend time in a quiet place each morning. Write out a few of your blessings and also your burdens and talk to God about them.

Do some winter gardening. Pull up some dead growth from the previous season or prune some bushes.

Sit quietly in your favorite spot and do absolutely nothing for at least five minutes.

Slow your breathing…breath in for 4 seconds and out for 6-8 seconds.

Get down on the floor and play trucks and cars with your kids (or grandkids).

Read or watch videos about a skill you want to learn.

If you play an instrument, play just for fun—not to “practice.” Play some favorite Christmas carols without music—it’s a different experience playing without music. You will feel the music more.

Watch something festive. We enjoy these family-friendly movies: Christmas Oranges, Christmas for a Dollar, and The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. We have also gotten into watching cooking on the channel Christine’s Notebook.

I hope that in the hubbub and flurry of activity, that you can actually slow down a bit to enjoy the people you love and do a few things that you love to do!

Merry Christmas!

-Ashley

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