Hosted by Ellen Krause (Mentor Mama)
How to Have a Stress Free Holiday: 7 Practical Tips for Christian Women
The holiday season is filled with gratitude, family, and celebration—but it can also bring stress, loneliness, and pressure to make everything “perfect.” In this episode, Mentor Mama and Ashley from Coffee and Bible Time open up about the very real challenges Christian women face during the holidays—family expectations, financial strain, social pressures—and share practical, faith-filled wisdom for keeping Christ at the center of it all.
Featured:
Chapters:
- 00:03 — Intro
- 00:59 — Challenge 1: Balancing Family Expectations
- 05:39 — Challenge 2: Loneliness & Being Away from Family
- 10:57 — Challenge 3: Financial Stress During the Holidays
- 17:18 — Challenge 4: Social Pressures & Boundaries (Ellen)
- 21:18 — Challenge 5: Navigating Relationship Dynamics (Ellen)
- 25:21 — Challenge 6: Keeping Faith Central (Ellen)
- 30:07 — What’s Included & Other Holiday Resources (Ashley)
- 31:05 — Closing Encouragement (Ellen)
Why the Holidays Feel So Overwhelming for Christian Women and How to Have a Stress Free Holiday:
The holiday season invites us to give thanks and celebrate Christ’s birth, yet many of us carry quiet pressure—family expectations, financial strain, social commitments, and the pull to “get it all perfect.
The good news? You can experience a meaningful, Christ-centered holiday without burning out. Here’s how to have a stress free holiday.
1. Balance Family Expectations Without Losing Your Peace
How to Have a Stress Free Holiday Challenge 1: Young adults starting their own traditions often feel torn between family expectations and their desire to create new memories. The pressure to host the “perfect” gathering can feel crushing.
Ashley’s Wisdom: “A Christ-centered holiday with loved ones matters more than perfection.”
Practical Steps:
Biblical Foundation: When decisions need to be made, choose peace over perfection.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
-Colossians 3:15
2. Combat Holiday Loneliness Through Biblical Community
How to Have a Stress Free Holiday Challenge 2: Whether separated by distance, loss, or life circumstances, many women experience deep loneliness during the holidays—a season that seems to magnify what’s missing.
Ashley’s Approach: Acknowledge and accept these feelings rather than suppressing them. Loneliness is real, and God sees your heartache.
Practical Steps:
Biblical Foundation: The church is designed to be your spiritual family, especially during difficult seasons.
“God sets the lonely in families.”
-Psalm 68:6
3. Manage Holiday Financial Stress with Wisdom and Creativity
How to Have a Stress Free Holiday Challenge 3: Between hosting meals, purchasing gifts, and decorating, holiday expenses add up quickly—often leading to January debt and regret.
Ashley’s Strategy: Set a clear budget before you spend a single dollar, then get creative within those boundaries.
Practical Steps:
Biblical Foundation: Financial peace honors God and protects your family from unnecessary stress.
“The borrower is slave to the lender.”
-Proverbs 22:7
4. Master Holiday Time Management Before Chaos Strikes
How to Have a Stress Free Holiday Challenge 4: Between regular responsibilities and added holiday activities, many women feel like they’re drowning in their to-do lists.
Ellen and Ashley’s Solution on How to Have A Stress Free Holiday: Intentional planning prevents last-minute panic.
Practical Steps:
Biblical Foundation:
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.”
-Ephesians 5:15-16
5. Navigate Social Pressures with Healthy Boundaries
How to Have a Stress Free Holiday Challenge 5: Social media showcases everyone’s “perfect” holiday moments, while in-person gatherings can drain your energy. The pressure to attend every event and post every moment creates anxiety.
Ashley’s Advice: Honesty and boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re necessary for your wellbeing.
Practical Steps:
Biblical Foundation:
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
-Proverbs 4:23
6. Honor Christ in Complex Family Relationships
How to Have a Stress Free Holiday Challenge 6: Blended families, estranged relatives, theological differences, and past hurts can make holiday gatherings emotionally exhausting.
Ashley’s Perspective: While every situation is unique, seek to honor Christ in every relationship—even difficult ones.
Practical Steps:
Biblical Foundation:
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
-Romans 12:18
7. Keep Christ at the Center Amid Holiday Distractions
How to Have a Stress Free Holiday Challenge 7: Between shopping, decorating, baking, and socializing, Jesus can become a footnote in the season celebrating His birth.
Ashley’s Recommendation: Intentionality is everything. Without a plan to prioritize Christ, the urgent will always crowd out the important.
Practical Steps:
Biblical Foundation:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
-Matthew 6:33
Your Invitation to a Christ-Centered Holiday
The holidays will always bring challenges alongside joys. But by setting boundaries, seeking support from your church family, and intentionally keeping Christ at the center, you can experience the peace and purpose God intends for this season.
You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to be perfect. You just need to be faithful with what God has placed in your hands.
Ready for more Christ-centered holiday guidance?
From our family to yours, we’re praying for a meaningful, joyful, and Christ-centered holiday season.
Leave a Reply