A Happier Home for the Holidays: Practical Tips from Katie J. Trent
Nov 25, 2024The holiday season is a time filled with joy, delicious food, and cherished moments with family and friends. But let’s be honest—this time of year can also bring a lot of pressure and stress, especially for parents who feel the weight of creating "perfect" memories.
To help us navigate this holiday season with more joy and less stress, I had the pleasure of interviewing Katie J. Trent, an author, speaker, and mom passionate about building strong, faith-filled families. In this post, I’ll share her practical insights and tips for fostering happiness in your home during the holidays.
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Meet Katie J. Trent
Katy Bordeaux: Katie, can you introduce yourself and share what led you to talk about this topic today?
Katie J. Trent: Absolutely! Hi, everyone. I’m Katie J. Trent, an author, speaker, and homeschool mama of two amazing kiddos. My husband and I have been doing ministry for about 18 years, and we currently live in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
With a background in ministry and counseling, I’ve spent the past two decades working to build strong, faith-filled families. I create resources for busy moms because I know firsthand how overwhelming life can be. The holidays are my favorite time of year, and I’m so excited to share ways to make this season joyful and Christ-centered.
The Challenges Parents Face During the Holidays
Katy: The holidays bring so much joy, but they can also add a lot of pressure for parents. What challenges do you see families dealing with most?
Katie: I think busyness and guilt top the list. During the holidays, “mom guilt” is amplified because we put so much pressure on ourselves to create perfect memories. We want everything to be just right for our kids, but we often end up stressed, frazzled, and even overspending.
In trying to do it all, we can lose sight of the real reason for the season—celebrating Jesus. Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to get caught up in the commercialization of the holidays.
The ABCs of a Happier Holiday Season
To help families stay focused and stress-free, Katie shared her ABCs of Keeping Christ at the Center of Christmas—a simple, memorable framework to guide your holiday plans.
A: Appreciate Your Season
- Focus on gratitude. Embrace the season you’re in right now, even if it looks different from past years.
- Let go of comparisons and be present. Each season is unique and fleeting.
B: Begin Now
- Start planning intentionally. Sit down with your family to create a holiday bucket list.
- Discuss what activities matter most to each family member. You might be surprised to find that some traditions you think are important can be simplified or even skipped.
C: Connect Meaningfully
- Focus on quality over quantity. Even 15 minutes of undivided attention can create lasting memories.
- Be fully present during these moments—it matters more than you realize.
D: Disciple
- Use the season to share the Gospel with your children. Help them understand why Jesus came and how His birth impacts our lives.
E: Evangelize
- The holidays are an ideal time to share Christ’s love with others. People are more open during this season, so look for opportunities to extend generosity and share hope.
F: Focus on Fun
- Create “snapshot” moments of joy. These don’t have to be extravagant—think marshmallow snowball fights or simple holiday crafts.
G: Gather Together
- Follow Jesus’ example of gathering people. Spend time with loved ones and reach out to those who may feel lonely or forgotten.
H: Help Those in Need
- Even small acts of kindness can make a big impact. Look for ways to serve others during this season.
I: Invite the Uninvited
- Think of those who may be far from family or struggling during the holidays. Extend an invitation to make them feel loved and included.
J: Jesus is the Reason
- Keep Christ at the forefront of your celebrations. Let this guide how you prioritize your time, money, and energy.
The Advanced Parent-Child Communication Mastery Bundle
The holiday season can be a wonderful time to strengthen your relationship with your children, but distractions and stress often get in the way. If you’re looking for more support in fostering meaningful communication and connection, the Advanced Parent-Child Communication Mastery Bundle can help.
This resource is designed to help you:
- Build a deeper emotional connection with your child.
- Navigate conflicts with grace and understanding.
- Cultivate a home environment rooted in trust and respect.
With tools like conversation cards, a workbook, and a masterclass, this bundle equips you with practical strategies to create a legacy of love and understanding in your home.
👉 Learn more about the bundle here
Grace-Filled Parenting
Katy: For parents who may feel overwhelmed or are just starting to shift focus away from commercialization, what advice would you give?
Katie: Start where you are and do what’s reasonable. Change doesn’t have to happen overnight. Begin by slowly shifting the focus to include more Christ-centered traditions.
One resource I recommend is my book, A Merry and Bright Adventure, which uses 25 common holiday sights and sounds to teach children about Jesus. It includes devotions, discussion questions, fun family activities, and recipes to help families center their holiday celebrations around Christ.
A Final Word of Encouragement
When asked what single message she would share with parents, Katie’s answer was clear: “Give yourself and those around you grace.”
The holidays don’t have to be perfect. What matters most is creating a season filled with love, joy, and faith. As Katie reminded us, “God’s grace is sufficient, and when we give Him our best, He will take care of the rest.”
This holiday season, let’s focus less on perfection and more on presence. By keeping Christ at the center and cherishing time with our loved ones, we can create meaningful memories that will last a lifetime.
Connect with Katie J. Trent
- Website: katiejtrent.com
- Social Media: @KatieJTrent
If you found this helpful, don’t forget to share it with a friend! Together, we can create happier, more Christ-centered homes this holiday season.
Author
Katy Bordeaux is a Certified Parenting & Family Coach and the founder of both Covenant Collections and Kingdom Purpose Moms. Passionate about guiding families to thrive, Katy combines biblical wisdom with practical parenting strategies to help parents build strong, faith-filled homes. Connect with her for more resources and support on your parenting journey.
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