9 ways to make your home more peaceful this Christmas

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In many ways, Christmas can be a chaotic and stressful time for families, but it certainly doesn’t have to be! Here are just a few ways to invite peace—and the Prince of Peace—into your holiday celebration.

1. Talk about the Savior often

If you aren’t already in the habit of doing so, making discussions about the Savior a regular part of your family's life may feel awkward or forced at first, but there’s no better time to start than at Christmastime. Ask your family to go around the dinner table and share how they felt His influence in their life that day, share your feelings about the Savior, or recount experiences you’ve had or blessings you’ve felt.

2. Set up a nativity

If you want your home to be filled with peace this Christmas, an easy place to start would be a physical representation of The Prince of Peace. Having a nativity displayed prominently in your home or a kid-friendly set your little ones can play with is a great way to infuse the true reason we celebrate Christmas into your family’s everyday life throughout the holiday season.

► You may also like: 12 unique nativities to start or build your collection

3. Serve others

Serving others is one of the best and most effective ways to invite the Spirit into your heart and home. Many families already have an annual tradition of serving those less fortunate during the holidays, either at food pantries or shelters or toy drives. You can also look to those in your neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces to find ways to help those individuals who may be silently struggling or lonely this time of year.

4. Read together

Whether you’re reading from Luke 2 or A Christmas Carol, reading aloud can invite a spirit of calm and quiet as your family listens together, and spending that quiet time together as a family can be a welcome respite from the comings and goings of the holiday season.

► You may also like: Cozy up with a holiday book for our new favorite Christmas Eve tradition—Jolabokaflod

5. Indulge in making memories with loved ones

While it’s certainly been a challenging year, someday when we all look back at 2020, we will likely be grateful for all the time we’ve been blessed to spend with our families. And if you’ve been feeling stir-crazy or bored at all this year, Christmas time is anything but boring! Whether you are caroling to neighbors (from a safe distance), playing games over video chat, or baking at home together, December is an especially great time full of fun activities you can do with those you love most.

6. Watch Christmas movies

There are lots of great film depictions of the Savior’s birth—including the Church’s newest version, “The Christ Child”—but plenty of holiday classics like How The Grinch Stole Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas still have lovely morals and messages of service, Christlike love, and the importance of family.

► You may also like: The behind-the-scenes stories of how ‘The Christ Child’ video was made

7.  Give from the heart

The old expression “It’s the thought that counts,” usually applies to bad gifts, but the thought you put into a gift—bad or good—truly does matter. If you haven’t finished your own Christmas shopping, take a minute to truly consider the desires, needs, and interests of the person you’re shopping for before you purchase something. Or consider a DIY project or homemade gift! Many families are also focusing more on giving experiential gifts like outings, date nights, or activities instead of toys or trinkets to make their gift a little more meaningful and memorable.

8. Sing Christmas hymns

President Ezra Taft Benson said, “Inspiring music may fill the soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak peace to the soul.” The carols of Christmas time are no different. Hymns like “Joy to the World” and “The First Noel” can remind us of the pure joy we can feel because of the Savior’s birth and subsequent life. And songs like “Silent Night” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem” bring feelings of peace and reverence for Heavenly Father’s best and most precious gift of His Son.

► You may also like: 8 virtual Christmas events and concerts you can enjoy from home

9. Follow the “Light the World” prompt calendar

The Church’s “Light the World” Daily Service Calendar has simple and easy ways to end 2020 on a hopeful note by sharing your gratitude on social media, spending quality time with family, taking a moment for personal reflection, and serving others.

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