How do you slow down during the holidays? November and December are known for their hustle and bustle, but it doesn’t have to be that way if that isn’t your cup of tea. Of course, there will always be that electric excitement in the air as you stroll festive twinkle-light holiday markets and shop in-store. If this is something that lights you up, get in there and soak it up. If you are more of a relax-at-home and shop online kind of person, that is okay, too. But one thing that we all may experience is the stress of finances or the pressure to do Elf on the Shelf or too many obligations on the calendar. When this is the case, the holidays can quickly become a time that you dread instead of enjoy.
I fall somewhere in the middle. I like a few festive activities on the calendar but if there’s too much, I become overwhelmed quickly and shut down. I love to decorate and have traditions, but trying to do it all and compete with what I see on Instagram is a recipe for disaster. I lean more on the side of slowing down with simple traditions and going into each day with the intent to savor the season.
Christmas is the smell of oranges in the stove for that garland you’ll string. It’s the twinkle lights adorning the shelves. The smell of pine. Warm cookies out of the oven. The first snow. Morning snuggles in cozy jammies. Gingerbread. Christmas carols crooning in the background. Dark evenings being illuminated by candlelight. Sleepy-headed kids running down to check the Advent calendar. Nana’s nostalgic recipe coming out of hibernation. Hot cocoa and marshmallows with a candy cane for good measure.
Christmas isn’t just buying and doing. It’s being still and taking in all of the above. Sit with those moments and really cherish them.
Now, I thought I’d share some of the ways I have learned to slow down over the years (especially since becoming a mother) and hope that you find something that inspires you to find peace in your December days. Some of these are simple mindful practices and some are tips that have helped me to manage while hosting. My hope is that even one piece of advice I share will help!
Tips to Slow Down
Fill your home with warm smells.
They say that scent can transport you back in time. This is what I want my children to remember!
A simmer pot on the stove is a great and easy way to bring the scents of the season into your home. I like the combination of cinnamon sticks, orange, cranberry, and a sprig of rosemary.
Baking Christmas cookies is also a sure way to get the job done. There’s nothing better than gingerbread wafting through the house.
Do your shopping ahead of time (or throughout the year).
I know this is easier said than done, but I typically do my shopping in November and am done by December 1st. I also grab things I see on sale throughout the year to break up the lump sum of spending. This is something I have trained myself to do because I know that come December, I will be quite overwhelmed if I had to do it all at once. People who know me laugh at me because I do all this so early but it really does help me mentally!
Decorate 1-2 rooms.
I know some people decorate their entire home for the holidays and if that is you, GO YOU! I don’t say that in a sarcastic way at all. I love that. Me on the other hand… I don’t function well with too much clutter and I don’t have it in me to do more than my living room. The kids and I mark a day on the calendar for decorating day and we go to town in the living room, adorning shelves and hanging twinkle lights. And that’s it! This living room works best for us because that is where we all spend the most of our time.
Read holiday stories.
If you enjoy reading for pleasure, make sure you add a couple seasonal books to your bedside table. There’s nothing better than reading the coziest holiday romances while you snuggle up at night. A few of my favorites are All I Want Is You by Falon Ballard, Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh, Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison, In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren, and The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox. Here are a few more.
Read holiday stories to your kids, too.
Make the time every day to sit with your kids and read to them. There are so many wonderful holiday picture books and stories! This not only forces you to sit still, but is really what life is all about. These are the memories that will stick with your children and make a long-lasting impression. Here’s a list to get you started.
Make a holiday watch list.
Don’t forget to watch the movies that make you happy this time of year. They bring a sense of comfort to our lives, right? Write down a list so you don’t forget, too. Some of my favorites are The Holiday, Elf, and Harry Potter, and The Family Stone. I am adding a few new Netflix romances to my list this year, too.
Make baking a (low key) event.
Instead of taking on the task of baking like crazy alone, enlist in the help from a family member or friend. Declare a baking day and it’s all hands on deck. I have the warmest memories doing this in the past and I still do this. As my kids get older, this is even more fun because they are involved and I know they will remember it (just as I do with my Mom and Nana).
Make a Christmas playlist of all your favorites.
The pre-made holiday playlists are great in a pinch, but how about a playlist that has all of the songs you love the most? I have one for myself, which is a cozy and calm one with all the classics (to me) and a high-energy one that my kids go crazy for. We listen to both interchangeably and never feel the need to skip a song.
Make wrapping gifts an event, not a chore.
It’s the same ideas as the cookies, really. Instead of dreading all you have to wrap, be grateful that you have gifts to wrap because you have the means to buy them and the loved ones in your life to gift them to. Make yourself a warm drink, turn on the ambient Christmas music, and take your time.
If you want to wrap with a friend over one night with some hot chocolate/mulled wine and popcorn, that is also encouraged! Are you sensing a pattern here? Spend time and do all the things with the people who fill your cup.
Get outside and talk lots of walks.
When things feel stressful or too much, getting outside will never let you down. Even if it’s just a brisk walk in your neighborhood. Our family likes to bundle up and get out in the morning and walk around in town before the crowds show up. Sometimes it’s just a walk and sometimes the goal at the end is a peppermint hot chocolate. We also like to do this at night when there’s lots of twinkly lights to admire. These walks are family memories being made and it’s free (unless we buy warm beverages).
Sit down with a cup of tea or coffee while you jot down your menu.
If you are hosting or cooking for an event, you want to get your plans out of your head and on paper to free the mental load. You could rush and jot it down on your phone or you could slow down, make a cup of whatever you love, and put pencil to paper. I chose the latter and it makes a difference.
Speaking of your menu, keep it simple.
I have learned the tried and true recipes over the years that my family enjoys. I make nearly the same exact menu every year and our dinner has become a tradition, really. I will occasionally try 1-2 new recipes (usually new dessert recipes) to keep it interesting.
Use nature as a centerpiece.
If you are hosting and need a centerpiece, get out in nature for what you need. I always cut fresh evergreen and bring in a few pinecones. I add a few ornaments, candles, or twinkle lights and call it well done.
Think of others.
We focus so much on being the magic-makers in our own families, but take a second to think of those not as fortunate. We put together gifts for children through a local organization and it is something that brings joy to us.
Choose one big tradition.
You don’t have to do all the things. Truly. Just one thing can make a difference in the memories you make year after year. Maybe it is decorating the tree the Friday after Thanksgiving or seeing a Christmas play. For us, our tradition is a simple Advent calendar for my kids. I don’t fill mine with treats everyday, but small crafts or experiences. This gives my kids something to look forward to and brings a little piece of magic to each day leading up to the holiday. And these activities in their own way have become tradition. I truly enjoy doing this year after year and have the capacity because it is the only tradition I focus my energy on. If you are looking for that one tradition you’d like to have, maybe this is it.
Be okay with saying no.
Protect your peace. There are only so many weeks in December and you want to have white space to slow down and enjoy the time with your own family, right? It is okay to say no to something that is only going to be stressful. You are an adult and have the right to turn down plans if they don’t fit. This is your gentle reminder.
If you homeschool, consider taking December off.
For any friends who homeschool, do you take the month off? I plan for this by starting our homeschool year in August. I find that having the entire month to recharge is exactly what my family needs. We are able to soak up and savor everything the season has to offer without any frustrating math lessons. Instead, we will play board games, read lots of Christmas stories, watch holiday specials, get together with friends, bake cookies, and simply savor all the magic December offers. Learning to rest and relax in a fast-paced world is a lesson I think we could all use.
Treat yourself to a Starbucks holiday drink.
This is extra simple but honestly, it just feels nice to drink something warm that tastes like Christmas and comes in a festive to-go cup. Take a minute to treat yourself and really enjoy it. You can’t go wrong with a peppermint mocha or hot chocolate… ever.
