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There is no such thing as less is more during the holiday season. Instead, we all embrace my dad’s favourite homemade saying: “more is better.” It can all be a little overwhelming, especially when your body is resisting all attempts to be festive.

So why not redefine what’s festive to you? Instead of more, go for less, but make that count. Think about what makes you really happy, what is quintessential Christmas/Hanukkah/solstice/Kwanzaa to you. And then do that to the best of your ability.

If it’s a wreath on your door, buy the most beautiful wreath you can find. Or maybe make one yourself. If it’s your grandmother’s snickerdoodle cookies, make that the one cookie you bake this season and forget about the rest. Maybe it’s the crafty evening, that gets slightly boozy with Glöggwhile you and your friends create increasingly imperfect decorations.

It doesn’t matter what it is, because it is the holidays in a nutshell. Shed whatever guilt you might feel about everything you don’t do, embrace and enjoy the moments you choose to do.

#ChronicChristmas is an Advent calendar of tips for a sane holiday season with a chronic illness. Check back tomorrow for the next tip. To see all the posts in the series, click the #ChronicChristmas label below this post.