Over the next few weeks, Iāll be sharing ways we can cultivate an intentional heart and home through the holiday season, touching on matters of our hearts, but also sharing practical tips to combat common holiday stressors, and ways we can be blessed and be a blessing to those around us this holiday season.
None of these ideas are revolutionary, only intentional steps we can take toward a more joyful and peaceful holiday season. Not every family celebrates, plans, or organizes the same way, so as you read through this series, please take what you find to be useful for your own heart and your own unique family.
And I invite you to kindly share any additional tips or words of encouragement you may have on our topics in the comments!
Conversations With Our Spouse
One significant way we can show love and respect to our spouses through the holiday season is simply by inviting them into our decision-making process.
šļøCalendars can quickly become filled to the brim with all things fun, family, friends, and festive, so itās important to make time together so that we can sync our calendars and thoughtfully prepare for what weāll give our time to.
šš¼Our sit-downs are important so that we can touch base with each other and check in on matters such as busy work seasons, and how we can serve and pray more specifically for one another through the week.
šØāš©āš§āš¦Itās also beneficial to discuss how a busy week and/or month shapes our quality family time, and if/what events on the calendar might we need to say ānoā to, or find other temporary, creative, and meaningful ways to make time for one another amongst the busy.
āļøOur sit-downs are simple, usually over a cup of coffee, and they donāt always happen on Sundays, but itās a way weāve come together more intentionally to plan for the holidays.Ā
Ways To Prioritize Your Spouse During The Holiday Season
Holidays can be an ongoing season of busy, so creating time to sit with our spouses, check-in, and share in the planning can be vital to minimizing tension and disconnection between one another.
Do you get overwhelmed, tend to overfill the calendar, or perhaps face decision fatigue when making holiday plans? Invite your spouse to help or take over some of the plans.
Does your spouse have a busy work season in the midst of holidays? Ask how you can be praying and serving them in more specific ways for the week.
Final Thoughts To Ponder
Are we considering how our spouse wants to spend their holiday season? Are we prioritizing the right things (and people) when making holiday plans? Can we be willing to loosen our grip of control, and perhaps shift our own expectations for the holidays?
Being intentional in our hearts and homes through the holiday season means we need to start with our own hearts and our own homes first and foremost. The rest will come more peacefully and joyfully.
