Christmas is hard work. Take out the stress with Happy Cards and let the elves do the dirty work for a change.
Thanks to the elves at Happy Cards for sharing this sponsored post how we can all get a little more happy this holiday.
If you have scissors in your hands as your wrap one of the countless numbers of gifts under the tree or plotting the demise of your “Elf on the Shelf” while you prop it for the daily antic before your children wake up, then you need to stop.
I repeat: put down the scissors or the Elf. (Or in my case, both of them since the Elf was about to go down.)
For most mamas, Christmas is one of the best (and worst) times of the year. You may not admit it (at least not aloud), but while you love those uploading your annual Santa’s photos with the kids for everyone to see, Christmas is hard work.
Yes, I said it.
If Cheesecake Factory, Saks Fifth Avenue off 5th, Panera Bread, Sephora, SpaFinder.com, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Lord & Taylor makes you happy, then just keep reading.
But before calling me a Grinch or a Scrooge, understand I love this time of year with beautiful decorations on everything from the fireplace to the mailbox, the look on the kids faces on Christmas morning when they unwrap the gifts, and all the other magic that comes with the holidays. But mama, you put in some serious work to make it all happen and you weren’t always smiling when you did it. Oh, I know I wasn’t…far from it.
There’s nothing fun about interrupting the very precious hours of sleep you get for almost a month just to give life to a red inanimate “elf” with a creative theme that your kids will laugh at for :10 seconds in the morning.
Look closely. Very closely to see what’s happening to this Elf.
There’s nothing fun about climbing all over the outside (and inside) of your house while putting yourself in danger to put up lights, just to take them down again a month later.
There’s nothing fun about trying to get just the right something for that someone and then bracing yourself when you have to be around them (even if you don’t really like them.)
But for most moms, they wouldn’t have it any other way. Even for those of us that actually have to purchase our own gifts, wrap them to put under the tree, write our kids or spouses name on them, and then act like we’re surprised on Christmas morning. (Or in some cases, not get anything at all in your stocking because if you don’t do it, no one will.)
However, we also know that nothing’s going to change and if we want the magic of Christmas to happen (and I know I’m not letting go of it), then we feel we have to do it. #MOMGUILT is real and we all make us feel like it’s what you have to do.
But there are a couple of things you can do to put the HO-HO-HO back in the holidays rather than the BOO-HOO-HOO.
We all need to remember the following:
- No one is thinking why you didn’t coordinate your wrapping paper under the tree once they open the gift.
- There is no mom award given at the end of the holidays for making it the best Christmas ever.
- If you don’t make it to every Christmas event on the list, no one is going to know.
- If you don’t send out Christmas cards this year, you can post a photo on Facebook and call it done. Or send an Easter card or try just writing a letter.
- You don’t need to work so hard to find the right gift. Gift cards really do make people happy, so buy it and be done.
Yes, gift cards. I know trying to find the “right card” is hard enough…but with Happy Cards, you can alleviate all that. Just pick one of the many cards and the giftee can choose what they want to get…and quite possibly more than one present. They can enjoy their favorite restaurant, start on the house project they’ve been waiting to do, or even get their resolutions moving – all with the Happy Card!
Remember, what your family really wants is a mama that’s happy, rested and wants to enjoy Christmas. And honestly, so do I. So we’re happy the little elves at Happy Cards are sharing a $100 Happy Lady Happy Card for one lucky mama.
So what are you waiting for? Enter below.
It’s just a click to get one step closer to a service from being a Happy Mama with a Happy Lady card from Happy Cards. And you have until Dec. 24 at midnight to enter. That’s all you have to do. (We’ll that and whatever you still have on your Christmas list – that probably isn’t necessary either.)
More from mamachallenge.com
Move Over Elf on a Shelf…Roaming Reindeers are Here! {Giveaway} 
Last Minute Holiday Shopping with Grapevine Mills
10 Quick Gift Picks to Check Off Your List {Giveaway}
The Guys Guide to the Best Gifts for Guys {Giveaway}
5 Ways to Improve Your Life in the First 5 Minutes of Your Day
Go for Fun with Christmas PJs for the Family
I’ve been having some digestive problems and have felt sick all month. I would be really happy if I felt healthy and enjoyed eating again!
Getting together with my family, enjoying food and fooling around would make me very happy.
I’m already pretty happy, but something that would make my day would be having all my debts paid off. I don’t have many, but to not have that hanging over my head would be a welcome relief.
I would happy for some warmer weather. I would also be happy to spend Christmas alone with my family, rather than have people come over or have to go to someone else’s home.
I would really be happy for some sunny, dry weather. We’ve had so much rain and snow in our area that flooding is a concern.
Paying off the rest of our debt and buying our dream house!
Welcoming a new baby into the family!
What would really make me happy is winning this gift card this year sure need it and would appreciate it so much.
Making more memories with loved ones- both family and friends, would make me the happiest!
Just would love my family to be happy and healthy in the new year!
If my family had a happy Christmas
Being debt free would make me really happy!
I would love the chance to slow down and get some rest and relaxation.
What would really make me happy would be a nice massage to relieve all the stress of the past year!
I just want no fighting or bothering the dog all day!! One can wish, huh? LOL
I’d be SO HAPPY if my whole family was together at Christmas.
It would make me really happy if my kids got along a little bit better and we could get into better health choices
Hopefully for a fun family vacation
It would make me happy if my family has a wonderful holiday together!
Having all my kiddos with me!
It would make me happy to get to have a girls night or even an afternoon and not worry about the holidays or kids haha!
Just making special memories with family this holiday!
Traveling somewhere would make me happy.
Having both of my boys and their families with me for the entire day.
Agreed. The Elf has never been in our house, and it never will. Not only is it extra work, it’s just plain creepy.
What would really make me happy? Just knowing my kids are happy and healthy and feeling loved this Christmas!
These are great ideas! A Gift card like these isn’t restrictive on location, and will come in handy for college kids, as an example
I love these ideas! It would make me happy to see our baby grandson.
Having my brother home from deployment
I like that these cards can open up a few more options for the recipient, They’ll make their after-Christmas shopping more fun!
I love the name of these gift cards! They are so cute! I surely would be happy with one about now!
Seeing my brother will make me happy.
A trip to spend Christmas with my daughter.
Family time with the ones we love should be our mail goal on Christmas!
Those gift cards are so cute. I’d love to be a happy lady!! LOL
I’d love an airline ticket to go see my sister in Budapest! But other than that, I’m pretty happy in general!
Everyone loves gift cards! These are great reminders too.
I am a mom to 6 little ones. This year I am keeping it simple. No stockings, not sending out Christmas cards. I can only do whay I can. Less stressful!
To have all three of my children under the same roof would make me really really happy! I am hoping that happens Christmas Eve. I’m almost giddy thinking about it!
Spending Christmas with my mom would make me happy.
Healthy and happy friends and family would make me happy!
I actually just saw these gift cards in the store today while I was out shopping. I think it’s great that there are different themes and the cards have a variety of stores to use them at.
Peace and good health for family would make me happy.
Continuing my fitness goals would make me happy this holiday season!
Healthy friends and family, volunteering and growing make me happy. Okay, I also love when my businesses are growing.
Peace and happiness for the holidays with no family drama would make me happy.
I would love for my Dad to get healthy, out of the nursing home and be home at least by the new year.
I definitely don’t go for picture perfect Christmas presents. My kids sure don’t care.
A long and peaceful holiday with my family, with the ability to go somewhere fun, would really be great!
Winning this giveaway would really make me happy. 😉
I hope that all of my family will be together this Christmas.
Lots of snow would make me really happy, would love a white Christmas.
Spending Christmas with my whole family.
Spending time with the whole family together would really make me happy, Its so difficult these days since we live in different places!
My favorite is Happy Dining, we love eating at Bravo and The Cheesecake Factory.
A gift card would make me happy!
It would make me happy if everyone is happy and healthy on Christmas
What will make me happy is seeing my family all together and happy on XMAS morning.
I would be ecstatic to be out of debt this year. But I’ll take even a couple grand out of debt. Or even a date night. it’s be a couple years. 🙂
christmas will be more amazing if we are able to bring home my grammie who is currently in a nursing home!! we wantt o hopefully get her here on christmas day!
I usually get gift cards for my nephews and nieces. It is difficult to find a gift for teens that they would really like. It is better that they have the money to get what they want.
Seeing my extended family and seeing all of the children happy will make me happy.
Having a relaxing and stress free holiday is what would make me happy this year!
This will be my first Christmas without my family since I moved to the US, what would truly make me happy would be spending the day with them and holding up all the family traditions. Next year, hopefully.
Spending time with my parents and lot & lots of food would make me happy
I’d be really happy if everyone could come for dinner. We’ve all got our own small families now and bringing us all in one space is getting so hard.
Being healthy!
To wake up to nothing to do for the day except to enjoy it with my family .
I just want time home to relax.
Spending time with family makes me happy.
An angel investor to buy the land for our black dog rescue ranch!
If I could see and be with my family. I miss them.
My kids make me happy! Also winning this would how fun
I would love to have a lot of snow. We are a family that love to go sledding and what better day to go than Christmas.
Seeing my grandma for the holidays would make me happy!
What would make me happy is health and happiness all around thugs holiday season. And a new pair of PJs wouldn’t hurt.