Holiday Season Without the Hustle: A Real Mom’s Take

Look, I love the holidays - the hot chocolate, the twinkle lights, the brief period where my kids think cleaning the house is “getting ready for Christmas.” But as a mom of three, I’m also not out here trying to create some Instagram-perfect winter wonderland.

What my kids really need is presence, fun, and moments that don’t require me to spend a whole paycheck at Target.

And this year, I’m adding something new to our simple traditions: WOWmazing Giant Bubbles (Winter Kit Edition).
Yes, even in winter. Yes, it actually works. Yes, it’s amazing.

1. A Perfectly Imperfect Holiday Is Still Perfect

I remind myself constantly: my kids don’t need the holidays to look like a Hallmark movie.
They need:

• A mom who’s somewhat rested
  
• A home that’s warm (emotionally and temperature-wise)
• Moments that feel special, not stressful

If the tree is lopsided, if the cookies resemble abstract art - not a problem.

2. The Screen-Light Season

I’m realistic: I’m not banning screens. I’m just dialing them back so the holidays don’t pass in a blur of YouTube Shorts and Minecraft arguments.

We do:

• Phones out of the room during meals
• One tech-free afternoon a week
• One family game night (where someone always cries, but we still call it a success)

And now… Bubble Time.

3. Our New Favorite Holiday Activity: WOWmazing Giant Bubbles (Winter Kit Edition)

If you want an activity that:

• Gets the kids outside
• Burns energy
• Costs little
• And makes everyone - kids, teens, adults - giggle like toddlers…

Giant winter bubbles are it.

The cold weather actually makes the bubbles last longer and float slower, so the kids feel like they’ve unlocked some kind of magical holiday science trick. They chase them through the chilly air, stomp them on the ground, and sometimes they freeze into sparkly little globes.

What we do:

• Bundle up like marshmallows
• Fill a bucket with the bubble solution
• Use the big wand 

• Let chaos unfold

It’s simple, it’s outdoors, it’s screens-off, and it gives them a break from bouncing off the walls inside.

4. Simple Crafts That Don’t Require a Degree in Pinterest

We’re still keeping crafts low-effort this year:

• Paper snowflakes
• Homemade holiday cards
  
• Reusing old wrapping paper for art
• Baking cookies from whatever mix was on sale

The bubbles balance it out with the perfect outdoor energy release.

5. Move Your Bodies, Even a Little

Between bubble play, short walks, and kitchen dance parties, this season doesn’t have to be all couch and cocoa (though no shame - rest is good too!).

Movement keeps moods up, especially when kids are stir-crazy from winter break.

6. Protect Your Peace

You’re allowed to:

• Say “no, thanks” to events
• Not make homemade anything
• Put your sanity first
• Skip traditions that don’t work anymore
  

A peaceful mom makes the whole house feel safer and softer.

7. What Really Matters

At the end of the day, this season is about connection, not perfection.

It’s about:

• Laughing together
  
• Playing in the cold
  
• Making giant bubbles float across the winter sky
  
• Eating lopsided cookies
  
• Creating memories that feel real
  

Because when they’re older, your kids won’t say,
“Remember that year Mom nailed the decor?”
They’ll say,
“Remember the year we made giant bubbles in the snow?”