Let me tell you something about Christmas with a big family: It’s beautiful, chaotic, and, if you’re not careful, it can quickly become a marathon of stuff. As a mom of five kids, I’ve been there. But the more kids we’ve added to our family (and the older I’ve gotten), the more I’ve realized that scaling down the holiday doesn’t mean losing the magic—it actually makes it even better.
This is why a viral TikTok by mom Mercedes Lynn (@mercedeslynnnn8) really hit home for me. She’s raising eight kids (yes, eight!) and has mastered a Christmas system that’s both simple and sweet.
Here’s how it works: On Christmas Eve, each child opens four presents—one book, one outfit, and two fun things, like toys or games. On Christmas morning, they open their stockings, where they find a little piece of wrapping paper that matches a special gift under the tree. One “big” gift per kid. That’s it.
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Sure, five gifts per kid might not sound “scaled back” at first, but when you’re talking about 40 presents total (!!!), it’s all about keeping things organized and meaningful. As Mercedes explained in People, his routine is something her kids genuinely look forward to, and it keeps the holiday from spinning out of control.
The TikTok video explaining her system has resonated with so many people, amassing over half a million views—and counting! Clearly, Mercedes’ approach is inspiring families to rethink how they celebrate the season, proving that sometimes less really is more.
Why our family keeps it simple
Here’s what I have found: The less overwhelming Christmas is, the better it is. Years ago, we used to do the whole piles-of-gifts extravaganza thing, and guess what? It was overwhelming—for the kids and for me (including my wallet). There’s only so much joy in a mountain of toys they forget about two days later.
Now, we’ve flipped the script. Fewer gifts, more intentionality. I wrote a piece for Motherly a while back about why we’ve started asking for experiences instead of toys for birthdays and holidays. And honestly, the same idea applies here. Toys? They break. They get lost under the couch. But those cozy Christmas memories? Watching the lights twinkle on the tree, smelling cookies baking in the oven, or hearing your kids belly-laugh over a silly board game? That’s what we all remember.
Wait, no Santa?!
Now here’s where things get interesting. In Mercedes’ family, Santa doesn’t make an appearance. Mercedes explained that, as Christians, they emphasize the religious meaning of the season, and not the jolly old fellow. Makes sense.
For her, the decision is rooted in faith. But for other moms, it’s about personal preference or just wanting to simplify the whole production. And honestly? It works.
In our own family, we don’t emphasize Santa, and so I haven’t felt a lot of pressure to keep up the Santa story. We don’t totally reject him, we just keep it light. I don’t threaten my kids about presents in the month of December. I don’t warn that Santa might be watching you so you “better be good for goodness sakes.” We just look forward to gifts and celebrations and memories made on holiday together. And I’m pleasantly surprised to report that it has taken away none of the magic of the season.
Related: To Santa or not to Santa, that’s the latest internet debate
It’s about the moment, not the stuff
Here’s what I’ve realized: The magic of Christmas isn’t found in the number of presents under the tree. It’s in the little things—the sparkle of the lights, the smell of cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, the sound of your kids giggling as they rip open that one present they’ve been waiting for. It’s the kind of magic that stays with you, long after the wrapping paper is gone.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the “stuff” this year, take a page from Mercedes’ playbook—or mine. Scale it back. Focus on the true moments of connection. Because when you let go of the excess, you can focus on the beauty of what really matters, together.
Related: It’s true: Giving your kids fewer toys at Christmas makes them happier
