This post is sponsored by Red Baron but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
I can’t believe that Christmas is right around the corner. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!
It’s also one of the busiest times of the year and I’m sure every mom can relate. Between shopping, attending holiday parties, wrapping gifts, decorating, and preparing food, it takes me quite awhile each year to recover from the magical madness.
I will always embrace the Christmas chaos, but I do have a few tricks this year to stay a little more calm. I want to be able to enjoy a few quiet moments, where I can pause, relax, and reflect on what this season is really about.
Don’t fight the faux.
There’s really nothing quite as charming as a lit Christmas tree to cozy up a room. We always put up two trees in our home. The first one is a large tree that the kids decorate. It’s full of sentimental ornaments collected through the years and it is warm and welcoming.
The second tree sits in our living room. It’s usually petite in size and gives me a chance to be creative each year. I have some ornaments that consistently adorn this tree, but I always switch up the theme.
Here’s the thing though. Two trees means finding the perfect two at the farm and loading them on the car. Two to carry in the house and find the perfect angle. Two sets of lights to untangle and wrap up again. Two to water. Two piles of pine needles. Two to clean up and haul away. You get my gist.
So this year, after years of contemplation, I finally bought a pre-lit faux tree for our living room. It’s pretty adorable and stylish and just perfect for my space. Best of all, it won’t bring me any additional stress or pine needle pick-up.
Decorate with less.
Year after year we make multiple trips to the basement to bring up what seems to be an endless stack of plastic bins filled with Christmas decorations. I used to feel the need to put out every single decoration I owned, which in reality kind of left my space feeling really cluttered. I’ve learned to work with one color theme that keeps everything more cohesive and relaxed, yet still very festive. Sometimes simple items, like vintage lights scattered in a dish, is all you need.
Keep the fresh-cut scent.
Christmas and the smell of the pine in the house go hand in hand. So, while I may not be putting up a real tree in my living room this year, I’ll still get that fresh-cut scent by scattering fresh cut branches amongst my decor.
Keep it simple in the kitchen.
Like most moms, I’m sure, the majority of my holiday time is spent hustling and cooking in the kitchen. Between the dozens of cookies, traditional family meals, and fresh new dishes, it can be hectic and difficult to manage at times. This year, I’m planning on cutting out a few things and instead, making sure my freezer is well stocked with some favorites.
For those evenings that I’m longing for a break from cooking and just want to chill with my family, Red Baron is my solution. 
Pizza is something the whole family can agree on (and bonus that Bill is the one that actually cooks up the perfect pie!). This crispy, airy crust pizza has the power to bring peace and satisfy everyone’s hunger. A better crust makes a better pizza and that’s exactly why we keep this on hand.
Whether we are getting ready to decorate the tree or just want to sit by the fire, this crowd-pleasing pizza satisfies the whole family.
Get my wrap on!
I spend hours wrapping presents each year. While I love blasting the holiday tunes and getting in the spirit of giving, the gift-wrapping time crunch can be really stressful. This year, I’m going to make wrapping presents less hectic by wrapping them as soon as I buy them.
As I embrace the start of this holiday season, I’ll be staying calm and making every moment memorable. 
Tell me how you stay calm when it becomes hectic at the holidays.
Did you know Red Baron is available in 11 different flavors from fan-favorite Pepperoni to Chipotle Chicken? Find it at your local store, take a night off from holiday chaos and make your mealtime more peaceful.
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