Preparing For Christmas So You Can Relax in December

The holiday season can be a time of joy and stress for military families. There’s the excitement of all the fun the season brings, and then there’s the demands of everyday life that don’t stop just because it’s Christmas. The entire month can be overwhelming. However, if the stress is navigated just right, families can actually make it to the point where they will have time to relax.

Family spoke to army spouse Jamie Ales who is married to Sergeant First Class Benjamin Ales. They are currently stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas and have three children - Dylan (17), Rylan (16), and Everly (11).

What are some of your favorite activities during the Christmas season?

Christmas is a really big deal for us. We love it! We do a lot of fun things around Christmas. One of my favorite traditions is baking with my mom, who usually visits us from South Dakota. We make lefsa, which is a Norwegian dish that takes all day to prepare. We also do a lot of baking—cookies, biscotti, chocolate-covered pretzels—you name it! Each of the kids makes their favorite cookies, and we get creative with homemade gifts. We also make gift baskets for my husband’s work, filled with homemade goodies. Another tradition is making aged eggnog, which I actually start preparing in October. So, technically, we begin the early planning, so when December arrives, we’re ready.

What steps do you take to prepare for all these activities?

Preparation is key for us to stay organized and keep things stress-free. First, my mom and I pick a date for her to come visit. Once we have that nailed down, I start thrifting throughout the year for cute baskets, containers, vintage bottles, and ornaments to use for our gift baskets. I like finding unique, vintage pieces that add a personal touch to our gifts.

When it comes to baking, we choose a specific day for everything, from the lefsa to the cookies. Of course, the kids help make their favorites. Plus, I also make my own vanilla and vanilla sugar for some of the recipes. We deliver the gift baskets to friends and my husband’s office. These preparations help things run smoothly and allow us to focus on enjoying the holidays.

How does all of this preparation help you relax during December?

For me, doing all of these things is relaxing in itself. I love the process, and by getting everything ready ahead of time, December feels much less rushed. We try to make sure that we’re not just thinking about our own family but also showing appreciation to the higher-ups in my husband’s work. They’re often the ones people go to when things are bad, so we like to remind them that they matter too with the gift baskets and homemade treats. It’s nice to know we’ve done something meaningful before the month gets too busy, which makes the whole season feel more enjoyable.

Make sure you start planning early and enjoy the process. Preparing ahead of time makes a world of difference. Christmas is about making memories, so if you can find ways to make those memories without stressing yourself out, it’s even better!