The holidays are here again—the most wonderful time of the year filled with twinkling Christmas lights, picture perfect Christmas markets, and the excitement of spending time with loved ones. But as magical as this festive season can be, it also brings a unique set of challenges. From navigating crowded stores during Christmas shopping, to ensuring your Christmas decorations are perfect, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the holiday rush.
WELCOME to your Christmas holiday survival guide! Where we will not just survive but thrive through the Christmas festivities, while embracing self-care rituals that help you glow up—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Let’s make this a time of joy and meaningful moments rather than a source of stress.
7 Steps to a Stress Free Christmas and Winter GLOW UP
1. Keep it Simple, Keep it Real: Set Realistic Expectations
The best way to an enjoyable holiday season, is to focus on the simple things. Forget about chasing perfection or comparing your festive period to picture-perfect moments on social media. Instead, focus on small, practical steps that compound into a relaxed Christmas day and New Year’s Eve prep. Focus on prioritizing the small things that make you and your loved ones happy.
Top Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Season:
- Create a To-Do List: Break tasks into manageable chunks. Whether it’s finalizing your gift list, preparing your Christmas cards, or planning your Christmas dinner menu, a detailed list ensures you won’t feel overwhelmed and have enough time to grab something you may have forgotten.
- Do a quick clean-up/semi ‘audit’ of your space. The purpose of this is to be sure what you need is at hand, still working, and easy to find when you need it. (There have been many times where I have been to parties where no one remembers where the bottle opener is 👀)
- Shop Early: Save yourself the last-minute frenzy by tackling gift shopping and Christmas preparations in late November or early December. Consider online shopping or supporting small businesses at Christmas markets to find unique, meaningful gifts.
- Delegate Tasks: Share responsibilities with family members. Let someone else handle the Christmas decorations or Christmas movies list, while you focus on cooking or wrapping paper.
- Did you get anything you might need from the basement/attic? You don’t want to be in your best dress, fully beat, shimmying up a ladder, hunting in a dusty attic for your light up santa hat.
- Laundry; everything you need clean? Dry cleaned? No holes to repair?
- Plan everything: To give yourself plenty of time to still rest, and enjoy the entire festive season.
Remember, the goal is to make this a magical time for the whole family—not a stressful situation where you’re stuck doing everything yourself.
2. Practice Gratitude and Cultivate a Positive Mindset
The festive period is an excellent time to reflect on the year, celebrate fond memories, and embrace meaningful moments with loved ones. Family traditions, whether big or small, can bring comfort and joy amidst the chaos. Maybe you are hosting, or you are spending it away from home. Your bed might be a couch, air mattress or sharing a room with your nieces and nephews who wake up at the crack of dawn. Maybe you have to help shop, cook, serve and clean. I completely understand the struggle, because I have been there too. But I found the best way to handle things is by acknowledging the holiday challenges, and by creating your own small pockets of Christmas self care during those in between moments-
Do the best with what you have
Yes that’s right, try to make things work for you. It is very easy for gurus to say ‘gratitude journal, meditate, daily yoga, 1 hour morning routine’ And those are amazing if you have the time and space to do those things during the holidays. Realistically, this might not be practical for a lot of us, but we can create our positive moments in other ways. ☺️
Effective Ways to Stay Positive:
- Start Each Day with a Deep Breath: Even during busy mornings, take a moment to center yourself and focus on what you’re grateful for.
- Engage with the Whole Family: Suggest Christmas movies for cozy nights in or organize gift exchanges like Secret Santa for a good time filled with laughter.
- Avoid Negativity: Skip the sad songs and gossip. Instead, focus on uplifting activities like playing board games, spending quality time with kids, or baking homemade gifts.
By approaching this season with gratitude, you’ll find it can help any stress melt away, replaced by happy memories that last a lifetime.
3. Prioritize Hydration and Healthy Habits
With all the Christmas parties, festive treats, and so much food constantly on the table, it’s tempting to indulge without limits. While it’s okay to enjoy yourself, don’t neglect self-care basics like staying hydrated and getting enough rest.
Quick Tips for Staying Balanced:
- Alternate Drinks: For every glass of wine or holiday cocktail, drink a glass of water or try a creative mocktail.
- Eat Light Before Big Meals: Start the day with a nourishing breakfast so you won’t overeat at the Christmas dinner table.
- Incorporate Gentle Movement: Whether it’s a brisk walk after meals or stretching while watching your favorite movie, staying active will help you feel your best.
By incorporating these habits, you’ll have plenty of energy to enjoy the festive season without feeling sluggish. Keep yourself refreshed, your body will thank you. Remember you can also eat your water with fruits and veggies.
4. Plan Your Glow-Up with Intention
Nothing feels better than stepping into New Year’s Eve as your most confident self. Instead of leaving everything to the last minute, take some extra time to prepare your look and feel fabulous.
Essential Steps for a Radiant Look:
- Review Your Closet: Before splurging on new clothes, assess what you already own. Mix and match outfits to create something fresh.
- Test Your Makeup and Hair: Do a trial run of your look to avoid unexpected surprises. Stick to your tried-and-true beauty products for a stress-free experience. No new brands, no risky experiments—let the lead-up to the big night be a seamless continuation of your current rituals. You don’t want to risk irritation or breakouts.
- Accessorize Thoughtfully: A bold necklace or sparkling earrings can elevate even the simplest outfit.
- Create Your Vision: Have fun with it! Use your ‘ideal self’ as the template and dare to be delusional. Who is your ideal self? How do they dress? How is their hair? Makeup? Vibe? (Open up Pinterest and start pinning ideas if it helps). As your vision gets clearer, start creating your look.
By planning ahead, you’ll avoid the financial stress and frustration of rushing through holiday sales.
5. Enjoy the Outdoors and Relieve Holiday Stress
While this time of year often brings cold weather, don’t underestimate the power of fresh air. Taking a break from crowded malls and busy living rooms to enjoy nature can be refreshing.
Ideas for Outdoor Activities:
- Visit Christmas Markets: These are not only a great way to find the perfect gift but also an enjoyable experience filled with festive cheer.
- Take Family Walks: Whether it’s a stroll through a park or a snowy hike, spending time outdoors is a great way to bond.
- Appreciate Christmas Decorations: Explore neighborhoods known for their stunning light displays.
Spending time outside can help you unwind, clear your mind, and return to holiday tasks with renewed energy.
6. Manage Financial Stress with Smart Planning
The holidays can be a financially stressful time if you’re not careful. Between Christmas shopping, travel expenses, and hosting duties, costs can add up quickly.
Top Tips to Stay on Budget:
- Set Spending Limits: Decide in advance how much you’re comfortable spending on each family member and stick to it.
- Opt for Homemade Gifts: These thoughtful presents often mean more than expensive items. From baked goods to DIY photo albums, the possibilities are endless.
- Take Advantage of Early Sales: Many stores have ‘silent sales’ (no big signs or ads) that start well before Christmas, not only on Black Friday.
Smart financial planning ensures you can enjoy the holidays without worrying about overspending.
7. Create Time for Yourself
In the middle of what can feel like holiday chaos, don’t forget to carve out moments for personal reflection and relaxation.
Simple Self-Care Rituals for Christmas Time:
- Read a Good Book: Escape into a world of fiction or self-improvement for a mental reset.
- Pamper Yourself: Enjoy a face mask, light a festive candle, or take a warm bath.
- Journal Your Thoughts: Reflect on the highs and lows of the past year, setting intentions for the new year ahead.
Stress Free Christmas and Glow Up Checklist
1. Set Realistic Expectations
- Create a To-Do List
- Do a quick clean-up/semi ‘audit’ of your space.
- Shop Early
- Delegate Tasks
- Did you get anything you might need from the basement/attic?
- Laundry/dry cleaning
- Plan everything!
2. Practice Gratitude and Cultivate a Positive Mindset
- Start Each Day with a Deep Breath
- Engage with the Whole Family
- Avoid Negativity
3. Prioritize Hydration and Healthy Habits
- Alternate Drinks
- Eat Light Before Big Meals
- Incorporate Gentle Movement
4. Plan Your Glow-Up with Intention
- Review Your Closet before buying new
- Test Your Makeup and Hair
- Accessorize Thoughtfully
- Create Your Vision
5. Enjoy the Outdoors and Relieve Holiday Stress
- Visit Christmas Markets
- Appreciate Christmas Decorations in the neighborhood
- Take Family Walks
6. Manage Financial Stress with Smart Planning
- Set Spending Limits
- Consider Homemade Gifts
- Take Advantage of Early Sales
7. Create Time for Yourself
- Read a Good Book
- Pamper Yourself
- Journal Your Thoughts
Final Thoughts: Thriving Through the Holidays
Even a few minutes of self-care each day can transform this hectic time of year into an enjoyable holiday season.
This Christmas, take a different approach to holiday preparations. Rather than rushing to meet unrealistic expectations, focus on the small things that truly matter. From connecting with loved ones to practicing self-care, these little things create the foundation for a stress-free Christmas season.
As you embrace these self-care rituals, you’ll discover that surviving the holidays doesn’t mean compromising your well-being. Instead, it’s an opportunity to glow up and step into the new year as your best self. Wishing you a Christmas filled with beautiful memories, laughter, and love. Happy Holidays!
Share this guide with friends and loved ones, encouraging them to join you on this journey of self-discovery and glow-up. Let’s make this holiday season not just about surviving but thriving, radiating joy and positivity and showing up on new years eve as our ideal self.
Wishing you a Christmas filled with love, laughter, and a glow that lasts well into the new year. Happy holidays! ✨
