Warning: Santa Truth Bombs Ahead!
Cue music: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”
I’ll admit it—I’m one of those people. As soon as November 1st hits, I’m all about the holiday prep. But over the past 10 years (aka since becoming a mom), my reasons for jumping into holiday mode have shifted.
Before kids, it was all about the excitement. The lights, the music, the food, the drinks—it was pure holiday magic! I couldn’t wait for the season to begin and live in the joy of it all. But then came motherhood.
Anyone with kids knows that the holidays get a whole new level of magic when you have little ones around. Watching Christmas through their eyes? Absolutely priceless. But let’s be real—it’s also one of the most stressful times of the year.
It’s the ultimate trade-off: You get to experience the purest form of holiday magic, but making that magic happen is stressful.
So, now I start prepping early—November 1st is my official start date—because if I don’t, I’m pretty sure I’ll have a breakdown. At least a small one.
In the early years, I was naïve. I thought the holidays would just magically be the same as my childhood—filled with traditions like baking, decorating the tree, making gingerbread houses, watching our favorite Christmas movies with hot cocoa, and, of course, waking up to stockings filled by Santa.
Fast forward 20 years, and it’s my turn to make those traditions come alive for my kids. The pressure is on. But on top of that, I also have to be the Santa who makes it all happen.
Enter Christmas 2021: Since discovering MyRegistry.com a few years ago, my holiday stress levels have dropped significantly. With my easy-to-share gift list, I could finally send out my list to others (ahem, my husband). It was all accessible, and shopping was a breeze. I thought I was in the clear.
That is, until Christmas morning.
My eldest son opened his stocking and, with big, hopeful eyes, kept saying, “I hope he remembered my bow and arrow set!”
Gut punch.
The one thing he asked Santa for? A wooden pretend bow and arrow set. And I completely forgot.
Look, I’m not saying you have to get your kids everything they ask for. But in this case, I really wanted to get that for him. He wrote it on his list, told the mall Santa, and mentioned it to us repeatedly. Yet somehow, it slipped my mind.
The reality is, keeping track of Santa lists for multiple kids is hard! They write letters, tell you in passing, or chat with mall Santa—there’s just no way to keep it all straight when you’re already juggling a million things.
So, I promised myself I’d never let that happen again. That’s when we turned our kids’ Santa lists into virtual MyRegistry.com gift lists, and I’ve never looked back.
Here’s why I’ll never go back to paper lists again:
- Easier to Keep Track Of: No more digging around for scraps of paper or trying to remember where the lists went. With MyRegistry.com, I can easily keep track of everything, and it’s all in one place. Plus, when I shop, I can check exactly what size, color, and items to get.
- Quality Time with My Kids: Helping the kids build their lists on an electronic device has been such a great bonding experience. I get to ask them questions like, “What makes this toy special to you?” and really get a sense of what’s important to them this year.
- I Have a Say: Let’s be honest—sometimes the kids ask for things I just can’t get behind. Whether it’s a noisy toy or something we already have, being able to help them choose what goes on their list is a game-changer.
- Eco-friendly: We try to keep plastic to a minimum in our homes, especially when it comes to toys. By using MyRegistry.com, I can easily manage what I’ve already purchased for my kids, and family members can check the list to avoid duplicates or random plastic toys that won’t get used.
Being a parent is hard work—magical, fulfilling, and incredibly rewarding, but also exhausting. The holidays are no exception. Don’t let the stress of last-minute shopping and forgotten gifts add to your plate. Use MyRegistry.com to make your Santa experience smooth, stress-free, and filled with joy.
Trust me, mama—you deserve it.
Happy Holidays!
xoxo
