<p>Every year December sneaks up on moms — the traditions, the sugar, the sickness, the parties, the pressure. This episode is all about what I’m doing differently next Christmas to create a calmer, healthier, more intentional holiday season for our family. From planning ahead and simplifying gifts to supporting our kids’ immune systems and downsizing expectations, I’m sharing practical changes that reduce stress, protect our peace, and let us actually enjoy Christmasagain. If you’ve ever thought, <em>“There has to be a better way to do the holidays,”</em> this conversation is for you.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Things I’mdoing different next Christmas/December: </strong></p><p>1. I’m going to create a bin in the garage that I store gifts in </p><p>2. I’m going to buy gifts throughout the year</p><p>3. Order Christmas jammies in September/October</p><p>4. Start probiotics for the kids in August</p><p>* Immune probiotic chewable from Dr. Elisa Song of Healthy Kids Happy Kids </p><p>* Link to probiotics: <a href="https://healthykidshappykids.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://healthykidshappykids.com</a>  <strong>(Dr. Song Probiotics)</strong> </p><p>5. Start Vitamin D in September</p><p>* Favorite Vitamin D: <a href="https://amzn.to/3YTMVvV" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3YTMVvV</a> <strong>(MaryRuth’s)</strong></p><p>6. I’m going to plan for the holidays at the beginning of October and order what I need to order and place celebrations on the calendar. This includes:</p><p>* My son’s birthday party (find the balance with holidays + December birthdays!)</p><p>* St Lucia Day</p><p>* Martinmas (lantern walk)</p><p>* Christmas Eve Eve party (do we want to host for an 11th year?)</p><p>* I’m not going to host homeschool group at my house in December…we’ll plan outdoor outings &amp; adventures instead</p><p>8. Use bleach wipes when I hear about norovirus (I’m semi crunchy, okay?) </p><p>* Favorite non-crunchy wipes: <a href="https://amzn.to/3YV0bjX" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3YV0bjX</a><strong>(Clorox Free &amp; Clear)</strong></p><p>9. Have grape juice, activated charcoal, and grapefruit seed extract on hand for stomach stuff</p><p>* Favorite grape juice: <a href="https://amzn.to/4sql5VF" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/4sql5VF</a> <strong>(Organic Grape Juice)</strong></p><p>* Favorite activated charcoal: <a href="https://amzn.to/4q8CdxM" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/4q8CdxM</a><strong>(Activated Charcoal)</strong></p><p>* Favorite GSE: <a href="https://amzn.to/4plY2IO" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/4plY2IO</a> <strong>(Grapefruit Seed Extract)</strong></p><p>10. Have pineapple juice &amp; gelatin on hand for coughs</p><p>* Favorite pineapple juice: <a href="https://amzn.to/49mqrsk" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/49mqrsk </a><strong>(Pineapple Ginger)</strong></p><p>* Favorite gelatin: <a href="https://amzn.to/3LdfqSg" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3LdfqSg</a> <strong>(Gelatin Powder)</strong></p><p>11.  Limit sugar to outings and parties only (instead of giving in to all the sugar temptations &amp; offerings of December)—make sugar a sometimes habit instead of a daily habit</p><p>12.  Open windows as a daily habit—make this a daily habit instead of a sometimes one</p><p><br /></p><p>To summarize, we’re going to continue to downsize Christmas &amp; aim for less stress and better health. I feel like there is an undercurrent in American motherhood culture that is leaning that direction…and I’m going to ride that undercurrent!</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Elevating Motherhood Links: </strong></p><p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="http://www.elevatingmotherhood.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.elevatingmotherhood.com</a></p><p><strong>Instagram:</strong> @loribethauldridge </p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Please Visit Our Sponsors: </strong></p><p><a href="http://www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors</a> </p>