Christmas can be stressful. Sometimes it feels like Christmas just multiplies our already over-stuffed to-do lists with presents to buy, things to decorate, parties to host, and extra services to plan.

The Christmas season is one of the busiest times of the year. It’s no wonder we often forget why we’re celebrating. This Christmas, here are a few ways to make sure your Christmas season is focused on the manger.

Plan for the unplanned. Everyone experiences interruptions, delays, and detours at Christmastime. So, why not plan for things to take longer than normal? Plan for things to take longer than you expect so that you won’t be frustrated when a “quick” trip to the grocery store takes an hour or the line to see Santa at the mall is a mile long. It’s better to end up having extra time than to feel like you’re running late all of the time.

Don’t expect perfection. Often, we feel pressure to make Christmas perfect. Christmas is special, and we should want to help make memories and spend time with family and friends, but Christmas will never be perfect. Plus, putting all of that pressure on yourself doesn’t exactly facilitate a relaxed, joyful Christmas season. When something doesn’t go as planned, laugh, take a picture, and make a memory of it.

Simplify. Instead of making your entire meal from scratch, find recipes that feature some store-bought portions with some easy home-made aspects. (Here are a few ideas.) Don’t be afraid to say no when you’ve already got too much on your plate. Try shopping online so that you can spend more time at home with your family. Take the “less is more” approach to the holidays.

Celebrate Advent. Make time every day to focus on the journey to the manger. This is a great Advent reading schedule. When you take time each day to remember why you’re wrapping presents and decking the halls, it helps keep you focused on the things that are really important at Christmastime.