82: What Your Family Really Remembers About the Holidays (It’s Not the Gifts)
Let’s simplify the holidays—without sacrificing the magic.
If you’re feeling the holiday pressure creeping in already—shopping lists, school events, and trying to make everything magical—this episode is the warm hug and strategy session you didn’t know you needed.
I sat down with Corinne, the founder of Wondermom Wannabe, who helps busy moms create calmer, more connected homes through simple systems and joyful traditions. We talked about how to slow down during the holidays, focus on connection instead of perfection, and build family memories that don’t rely on stress, spending, or schedules.
What started as a conversation about simplifying the holidays turned into a heartfelt reminder of what actually matters: presence over pressure.
🎧 What You’ll Learn:
How Corinne shifted from “doing it all” to creating a holiday season full of calm and connection
The surprising answers her kids gave when asked about their favorite holiday memories
Why focusing on “how you want your family to feel” changes everything
Her secret weapon for planning family time without adding stress: the Countdown to Christmas
How to make magical memories without spending money (or baking the perfect cookie)
What to do when things don’t go as planned (because they won’t—and that’s okay)
Why planning your “yeses and nos” ahead of time makes everything easier
You don’t need more on your plate—you need better systems and clearer priorities.
If you're ready to let go of the Pinterest-perfect holiday pressure and focus on what really matters, you’re going to love this conversation. Tune in, take a deep breath, and let’s reclaim the joy this season is meant to bring.
Mentioned in this episode:
Where to find Corinne: Website
Corinne's free gift: Stop wondering "What's For Dinner?"
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What Your Family Really Remembers About the Holidays (It’s Not the Gifts)
If you’re feeling the holiday pressure creeping in already—shopping lists, school events, and trying to make everything magical—this post is the warm hug and strategy session you didn’t know you needed.
I recently sat down with Corinne from Wondermom Wannabe, and let me tell you—this conversation grounded me in the best way. Corinne is a mom of grown kids, a military spouse, and a master of simplifying the chaos with systems that make space for connection. We talked about how to slow down during the holidays, focus on what matters, and create meaningful family traditions without adding to your to-do list.
Here’s what stuck with me most: our families don’t remember the gifts. They remember how we made them feel.
1. The Magic Your Family Wants Isn't on Your To-Do List
Like many moms, Corinne used to chase the Pinterest-perfect holiday—matching pajamas, cookies from scratch, picture-perfect décor. But one year, around the dinner table, something shifted. Her kids were sharing their favorite Christmas memories... and none of them were about gifts. They remembered watching a Christmas movie together. They remembered drinking hot cocoa after wrestling practice.
It wasn’t the stuff. It was the stillness. The moments where they felt safe, seen, and connected.
That’s when Corinne started simplifying—and it changed everything.
2. Focus on Feelings, Not Just Festivities
The best question Corinne asks herself during the holidays isn’t “What do I need to do?”
It’s “How do I want my family to feel?”
That single shift can completely transform your season. Instead of scrambling to check off every holiday task, you start choosing what actually matters. For her, that meant letting go of things like Christmas cards (she hasn’t sent them in 18 years!) and doubling down on small, meaningful moments instead.
What would shift for you if you led with feelings instead of expectations?
3. The Countdown to Christmas (Minus the Stress)
Now, here’s where things get really practical.
Corinne created a Countdown to Christmas system—not as another project, but as a way to stay anchored to her intention of presence. Each day has a simple, family-focused activity. Sometimes it’s baking cookies. Sometimes it’s a walk, a puzzle, or just a cup of cocoa together. No pressure. Just presence.
And if 25 days feels like too much? Start with 5. Or 3. Or 1. The goal isn’t to be impressive. It’s to be intentional.
4. How to Keep It Simple (and Actually Enjoy It)
This part made me want to stand up and cheer: Use what you already have. You don’t need to buy more stuff or plan elaborate outings.
Corinne encourages moms to choose activities that are:
Free
Flexible
Fun for your family (not what everyone else is doing)
Think movie nights, neighbor treat deliveries, crafting with random supplies from your closet. And yes, even just turning on music and singing carols can become a tradition when you do it with love.
You’re the boss of your holiday season. Customize it to fit you.
5. When Life Happens, Don't Give Up—Adjust
Holidays never go exactly as planned. Someone gets sick. Schedules change. Energy runs low.
Corinne reminded me (and I’m reminding you) that missing a day doesn’t mean you’ve failed. If you skip an activity, no big deal. The point isn’t perfection—it’s creating a rhythm that gently pulls you back to what matters most.
And here’s a great tip she shared: Decide your “yeses and nos” ahead of time. Know what’s non-negotiable for you, and what you’ll kindly decline. It’ll save your energy—and your sanity—when the calendar fills up.
Final Thoughts: Start Small and Let It Grow
Whether your kids are little or grown, the holidays can still be magical—and meaningful. All it takes is a little clarity, a little planning, and a lot of presence.
Start small. Light a candle and sip cocoa together. Watch your favorite movie. Laugh over an old tradition or create a new one. You don’t need to do everything. You just need to show up with love.
And if you want some help putting your own countdown system in place, Corinne has an amazing free kit you can grab through the Hobby School Holiday Summit. You’ll find the link in the show notes.
This year, let’s give our families what they really want: us.
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Transcript:
[00:00:00] Welcome to the HobbyScool Podcast. Whether you're a seasoned hobbyist or just getting started, HobbyScool is the perfect place to learn something new. My name is Dr. Destini Copp, and I'm your host of the podcast. Before we jump into today’s episode, the only thing I ask is if you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend and leave us an honest review on your favorite podcast platform. This helps us reach more people. I also want to invite you to join the waitlist for our next HobbyScool Online Learning Summit. These are free to attend, and you can find the link to join at HobbyScool.com, which is also in our show notes. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the episode.
[00:01:00] My special guest today is Corinne. Corinne is the founder of Wondermom Wannabe, where she helps busy moms simplify home life so they can spend less time juggling and more time laughing together. Through her printables, planners, and practical systems, she makes everyday tasks easier and the holidays more joyful. Corinne, I’m so excited to chat with you today! Before we dive into all the questions I have for you, can you tell the audience a little more about yourself and how you help people?
[00:01:40] Corinne: Sure! As you mentioned, I'm the creator of Wondermom Wannabe. The site was born out of my own struggles. I spent years overwhelmed by how much there was to do and feeling like a failure. I was a military spouse, so my husband was often away, and I didn’t have a partner to share the burden. I wasted years feeling sorry for myself and not being present with my kids. That experience became my mission: to help other moms avoid that. A lot of it comes down to having simple systems and tricks to manage it all. Once I figured things out—a little later than I would have liked—I started sharing my ideas and printables. Wondermom Wannabe was born out of that aspiration to be a superhero mom while having a little more fun and realizing that being perfect isn’t the goal—being present is.
[00:03:00] Dr. Destini Copp: I love that. As a mom myself, I relate to wanting to be present while juggling everything we have to do. With the holidays coming up, they can be such a busy time of year. Can you walk us through what inspired you to start simplifying how your family celebrates? What changed for you?
[00:03:30] Corinne: Like a lot of moms, I’m very Type A and I love Pinterest. I wanted the holidays to be magical, but the truth is, that magic falls on us as moms. Even in households where both parents are present, we often carry the mental load and do the bulk of the planning. We want to create those special memories. I used to do it all—bake cookies, make ornaments, decorate, plan activities. But it was overwhelming. One year, during our dinner question time, we talked about favorite holiday memories. My kids couldn’t remember the gifts. They remembered watching a Christmas movie together. That hit me hard. I realized I had been doing it wrong. They didn’t want a stressed-out mom with a long itinerary. They loved the slow moments—the ones that were easy, but meaningful.
[00:05:00] That moment completely shifted my perspective on how we plan the holidays. Now, our traditions are centered around connection, not tasks. I let go of things like Christmas cards (haven’t sent them in 18 years!) because they caused me stress and didn’t matter to my kids. Instead, we focus on spending intentional time together.
[00:06:00] Dr. Destini Copp: I love what you said about focusing on connection instead of perfection. What does that look like in practice over the holidays?
[00:06:20] Corinne: The easiest way to do this is to ask yourself: How do I want my family to feel? Not what needs to get done. If your goal is to make your kids feel safe, loved, and seen, then that becomes your filter. For some families, that might include sending Christmas cards because they enjoy it. For others, it might be letting that go. Focus on what brings your family joy—not what Pinterest says you should be doing.
[00:07:30] Dr. Destini Copp: Let’s talk about your Countdown to Christmas. How does that help families slow down and enjoy the season?
[00:07:45] Corinne: I get it—I tell moms to focus less on doing, and then I offer a 25-day countdown! But the countdown is a tool to help moms like me stay focused. I struggle with time blindness and get easily distracted. I would tell myself I’d get to something "next week," then realize three weeks had passed. The countdown is a way to build in intentional time each day. It doesn’t have to be big or elaborate. One day might be watching a movie, another might be delivering cookies to neighbors. It can even be 5 or 10 days instead of 25. The idea is to carve out time to be present, not perfect.
[00:09:30] I systematize everything to combat decision fatigue. I assign theme days (like an at-home day, an outing, a giving activity) to narrow the choices. We reuse simple traditions like baking cookies, doing puzzles, or delivering treats. We even include things like playing badminton or enjoying hot cocoa. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing the right things for your family.
[00:11:45] Dr. Destini Copp: That’s such a powerful mindset shift. So for moms who feel like they don’t have time for one more project, how can they start?
[00:12:00] Corinne: Start small. Don’t worry about doing 25 days. Start with three. Use what you already have at home. Make cookies with pantry staples. Do crafts with supplies from your closet. Read a book or sing carols. Your kids will remember that you set time aside for them—not how fancy the activity was.
[00:13:30] Plan your "yeses and nos" in advance. Know what’s important to your family and commit to those things. Say no to what doesn’t align—without guilt. That clarity will help when the season gets busy and unexpected things come up. And if you miss a night? It’s okay. You didn’t fail. Just pick back up the next day.
[00:15:00] Dr. Destini Copp: I love that. For those with older kids or empty nests, how does this still apply?
[00:15:15] Corinne: My daughter is now a mom herself, and it’s beautiful to see her carrying forward our family traditions and adding her own spin. The magic is still there, just evolving. Whether you have toddlers or grandkids, these moments matter. They grow into lifelong memories and family culture.
[00:16:30] Dr. Destini Copp: Corinne, thank you so much. Where can people find you and grab your free gift?
[00:16:45] Corinne: You can find me at WondermomWannabe.com. I have a free Dinner Ideas Guide at wondermomwannabe.com/dinner-ideas to take the stress out of meal planning. It’s themed by night (like Taco Tuesday, Air Fryer Friday) and includes hyperlinked recipes. I’m also on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. And for listeners of the HobbyScool Holiday Summit, I’m offering a free Countdown to Christmas kit to help you put everything we talked about into practice.
[00:18:00] Dr. Destini Copp: Thank you again for being here. And thank you all for listening! Don’t forget to sign up for the waitlist to be the first to know when our next free HobbyScool Online Learning Summit launches. The link is in the show notes or visit HobbyScool.com. See you next time!