6 Tips for a Restful Christmas with Your Spouse

The holiday season is a time of year that demands reflection, but it’s also a time when life can feel incredibly stressful. If you want to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate during the holidays, you’ll have to be very intentional about doing so.

Today, we want to share some tips for making this Christmas season restful for yourselves and your family.

1. Protect your boundaries.

During the holidays, it’s easy to slip into a people-pleasing mode to keep everyone happy. The problem is, that can drain your energy and make you feel stressed and frazzled rather than reflective and joyful.

If you find yourselves feeling spread too thin over the holidays, work together with your spouse to figure out what you can adjust (or what you can leave out entirely) in order to protect your boundaries and enjoy the season.

2. Cultivate a calm environment at home.

Make plenty of time to slow down with your spouse and kids. Sure, the world outside may be hectic and rushed during Christmastime–but your home doesn’t have to feel that way. Cultivate a calm, peaceful environment at home, and if you have children, encourage them to enjoy some quiet time.

3. Don’t engage in drama.

While the holidays are a wonderful time of year, they are also notorious for extended family drama. It’s not uncommon for couples to feel pulled in different directions or to face a yearly struggle about which family events to visit. Extended family members may also misbehave during family gatherings.

If you’re spending part of the holidays around difficult people, don’t engage in drama. Don’t feel obligated to spend your time with people who are destructive to your marriage and the family you’ve created. Whatever it takes, protect your peace.

4. Focus on activities that help you feel relaxed and restored.

Relaxing as much as you can through the holiday season will help you feel restored and ready to tackle the New Year. So this Christmas, take some time to do the things that help you and your spouse feel rested. You could try:

  • Cuddling by the Christmas tree
  • Taking a stroll or a ride through the Christmas lights
  • Walking through your local tinsel trail
  • Riding in a horse-drawn carriage
  • Watching a Christmas movie together
  • Enjoying a cup of cocoa by the fire

Whatever makes the two of you feel restored, spend time doing that. Unwinding takes effort, but it’s an effort that is richly rewarded.

5. Make your Christmas romantic.

Focus on your romance this Christmas season. The holidays are a magical time for so many people–so what could be better than a little romance to add to the joy and wonder?

To add a little romance to your holiday:

  • Go on a Christmas-themed date
  • Enjoy a romantic, candlelit Christmas dinner at home
  • Exchange romantic, intimate gifts

If your kids are old enough to play on their own for a little while, encourage them to enjoy their Christmas gifts while you and your spouse slip away for some much needed time alone. Emphasizing the love you have for one another will add more joy and fullness to the season.

6. Remember the reason for the season.

Focusing on the birth of Christ keeps Christmas in perspective for many couples. This Christmas, center your hearts on God and reflect on His blessing, mercies, and grace.

Focusing on the gifts God has given us is a wonderful way to say goodbye to the past year and hello to the new.

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours!

We’re so grateful for each of you. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives all year long. We hope our words bless your marriage richly, today and every day.

Merry Christmas!

5 Comments

  • Maren R Breitwieser says:

    Usually I read the titles, but your blogs always are SIMPLY SUPER! Thank you!!

  • Sarah Goods says:

    This was exactly what I needed today! It hit more than one nail right on the head. Thank you!

  • Dj Duff says:

    Thank you for your tips and encouragement, just reading these gave some calm and a needed reminder to enjoy each other while celebrating the birth of Jesus.
    Merry Christmas to you & yours!

  • S Govan says:

    What an insightful perspective! I appreciate the way in which you care for your reader. The steps you offer are like quite whispers of encouragement…(everything will be just fine and by the way make sure to keep the main thing the main) as we’re celebrating the Birth of Christ our Saviour and Lord.
    Merry CHRISTmas and Thank you!!!

  • Michelle Walter says:

    So very much appreciate your words of wisdom…have heard you speak twice and read many of your books. This blog was SO GOOD TO READ DURING THIS BUSY SEASON. THANK YOU!

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