Merry Merry December: Plan Less, Celebrate More

Worldwide Christmas spending has exploded—holiday retail sales hit $1.3 trillion in 2023, and per-person spending in places like Canada reached $1,717. Yet alongside glitzy spending, nearly half of U.S. adults and more than 6 in 10 mothers report elevated stress during the holidays. Imagine a December where the lights glow softly, not because they're perfectly timed, but because they're quiet backdrops to laughter. A season where gifting feels meaningful, not like another item on a debt-inducing checklist. This book flips those explosive numbers on their head—showing how cutting spending and pressure actually deepens connection. Instead of spending more, what if you celebrated better? Picture gatherings that feel alive—not frenetic—because everyone shares the load. Men, women, kids carry tasks with joy, not burden. Picture menus that soothe the cook instead of trapping them in the kitchen. Picture gifts that stir memory and gratitude, rather than receipts and regret. This shift melts holiday anxiety and replaces it with the kind of presence that people remember long after the day ends. Ready to reshape December? This guide gives you tools to simplify, delegate, and reclaim presence. It walks you through planning on a single page, easing into effortless hosting, transforming gift-giving, and resting deeply as part of the celebration. Let go of overspending, over-scheduling, and overthinking—so you can invite back the joy that drew you to December in the first place.