Let’s make it a goal this year, to have a “no stress” holiday season! WE can do it! One of the best ways to really look forward to the holidays is to simplify things and to look for ways to create and maintain simple traditions.

We have been very blessed over the years with some very meaningful friendships. Not only have these friendships been like family to us, they have also given us ideas for our own family holiday traditions.

I want to share my favorites with you today, to encourage you to take a step back and look for simple ways to better enjoy the holidays. Let’s keep it simple!!!

Dressing Down ~ Shields Family

We got this idea when we arrived at the Shields home for Thanksgiving one year and to our surprise their family was dressed down (and we weren’t). We’re talking pjs and sweats. We LOVED it. They choose to be relaxed on Thanksgiving Day. They also start their Thanksgiving Day off with Cinnamon Rolls and OJ, something that we’ve been doing now for almost 15 years. Elastic waistband on Turkey Day – yes please!!!

Blessing Others ~ Davis Family

We shared quite a few Thanksgivings with the Davis family when we lived in ABQ. My biggest takeaway from my sweet friend, Julie, aka the Queen of Hospitality, is that we should open up our homes on the holidays. She was always bringing more to the table and serving them with love. Over the years we have taken this idea on and looked for opportunities to host and serve others. ( I also snatched up her “Southern Sweet Potato Casserole” recipe – I never knew how much I liked sweet potatoes until I had hers!)

Praying ~ Campbell Family

This was a tradition that I grew up doing in my own family. We have a basket that sits on our kitchen table ready to hold the incoming Christmas cards. We then rotate through the cards and pray for one family before our dinner each night. It creates a great way as a family to reminisce the different friendships and memories we have experienced over the years.

Giving Three Gifts ~ Knakal Family

About six years ago, my beautiful (and organized) friend Sarah, shared with me about an idea that their family had adopted. The idea is to follow the theme of the Three Wise Men and to give three gifts to each child that represent three specific meanings. It really is a simple solution that helps us to keep the focus on the reason for the season. (I shared more details about the three gifts over HERE.)

Making Card Memories ~ Thomas Family

What do you do with all the cards you have received in the past years? Are they sitting somewhere in a box? If you have recycled them and have no desire to hold on to them, I get it! However if you want to save them I shared over here how I got “morganized” and put my past years in a cute “tied up” little system! (This idea is courtesy of Jacqui, one of my Fabulous Organized Friends.) Simple organization + memories = LOVE!

Creating a Scrapbook ~ Tyree Family

Another tradition, courtesy of moi is our Christmas Scrapbook. I take a few pictures of our celebrations each year and add our personal Christmas card and letter. It makes a great capture of the holiday and with our yearly letters posted, it also provides a nice highlight of the past year’s events and milestones. I keep this on the coffee table during the Christmas season for our family to look over.

TELL ME: What is your favorite {simple} family tradition for the winter holidays? I want to hear! (But only if it’s simple!)

Wishing you and your family a FABULOUS Thanksgiving week! Celebrate all that you have to be thankful for this week! The Tyree Family will be hosting a get together with other families and we’ll be comfortable in our sweats and full on fresh cinnamon rolls and OJ! xoxo