Do you ever feel like you rush through the holiday season, and then regret not being more present?

The holiday season can be a beautiful time, full of warmth and cheer. But without an intentional plan, you might feel like the holidays pass by too quickly. I know I’ve experienced this. 

I’ve always loved the holidays. Since this is one of my favorite times of the year, I want to do everything I can to fully enjoy this season. 

While we can’t control the passage of time, we can control the mindset and wellness tools we use to enjoy our experiences!

Here is a list of tips to help you make the most of the holiday season and make this time of year feel special.

Check Your Expectations

Checking your expectations is so important in order to have the best holiday season possible. I tend to be too hard on myself and to set unrealistic expectations. I know I can feel upset if the holidays don’t go perfectly. So, I encourage my fellow perfectionists to join me in checking your expectations. 

I love how this blog post from Kim + Ono puts it: “Let things be good enough.”

The holidays are meant to be fun. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself!

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Set the Holiday Vibe

Once you adjust your expectations, you can focus on external factors. Creating a cozy and festive environment is one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit. Some of my favorite ways to set the holiday vibe include: 

🌟Holiday decorations

🌟Lighting holiday candles

🌟Listening to holiday music

🌟Exploring holiday lights

🌟Watching holiday movies

These vibey YouTube videos are perfect for setting the scene. I love playing these in the background to create a cozy setting.

Decorate for the Holidays

Don’t underestimate how much a few holiday decorations can transform your space. Putting up cute holiday decor is such a simple way to embrace this season. I love spending time at my parent’s house and seeing all of my mom’s holiday items.

Set Intentions to Guide Your Season

I love the idea of being intentional with your time. This is such a good tip to help you make the most of life. Being intentional can look like determining how you want this holiday season to feel and aligning your actions with those goals.

For example, my intention is to remain present and savor the seasonal activities. I can achieve this through thoughtful planning and mindful check-ins.

Spending time journaling or taking some quiet reflection time can help you determine your holiday intentions.

Photo by Aleksei Sabulevskii on Unsplash

Holiday Season Reflection Questions

🌟What word(s) describe how you want to feel this holiday season?

🌟What holiday activities make you feel happiest?

Make Fun Plans

Speaking of thoughtful planning, my next tip to help you make the most of the holiday season is to make fun plans. This time of year brings so many exciting activities. Making a plan is the best way to ensure you enjoy as many seasonal activities as possible. Which leads me to the next tip.

Make a Bucket List to Fit in All the Holiday Fun

Make a list of everything you want to do this season. Look at your calendar and determine when you can fit in those activities. This is more of the thoughtful planning I mentioned.  I’ve learned that if I don’t make specific plans, I most likely won’t get around to those seasonal activities. Plus, planning increases the likelihood that you can fit in time with your loved ones.

Some items on my holiday bucket list this year include:

🌟Read Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory”

🌟Attend local holiday markets

🌟Make holiday crafts

Check out this past blog post for more Holiday Bucket List Inspiration!

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Spend Quality Time With Loved Ones

If your plans involve other people, start coordinating schedules early. This time of year, it is especially important to make time for connection. One of my favorite things about the holiday season is spending time with my loved ones. Getting to spend quality time with my friends and family fills me with so much joy. Start reaching out to people as early as possible to schedule meaningful time together.

I’ve been sending my friends lots of texts with all of the holiday fun I’m brainstorming!

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

Prioritize Rest and Self-Care

In addition to spending time with others, make sure to prioritize rest and self-care. Taking care of yourself is always important, but it is especially necessary this time of year. If you tend to find the holiday season stressful, setting aside time to recharge can help. When engaging in activities that require energy, it is essential to find balance by also taking time to relax.

Ways to Prioritize Your Wellbeing Around the Holidays:

🌟Get plenty of sleep

🌟Spend time outside

🌟Incorporate mindfulness into your day (Read this guide to living mindfully, slowly, and intentionally around the holidays.)

🌟Develop simple routines to help you feel calm and grounded (This post will  help you develop simple routines to ease overwhelm.)

🌟Practice deep breathing

🌟Engage in creative hobbies (Read this blog post to learn about the mental health benefits of crafting.)

🌟Practice guided meditation

🌟Set aside time to relax and do nothing

🌟Remember to reflect and practice gratitude

All of these practices help me stay grounded, so I can feel my best and fully enjoy this special time of year.

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Appreciate Holiday Traditions

I absolutely love family traditions. Traditions are such a special way to celebrate with others. I always look forward to watching nostalgic Christmas cartoons with my family. Making the most of the holidays includes remembering to appreciate your holiday traditions, and maybe even creating some new ones.

Share your favorite holiday traditions in the comments to inspire others!

Enjoy Seasonal Treats

Enjoying seasonal treats is another special aspect of this time of year. When you plan your holiday activities, plan to enjoy your favorite seasonal snacks and beverages. This might look like picking a day to get a festive coffee at your favorite cafe or going out for holiday drinks. 

Picking up some seasonal goodies from Trader Joe’s is also a staple holiday activity that I always look forward to!

Photo by Katie Azi on Unsplash

Embrace Coziness

Something important to know about me is, I love coziness. You can embrace coziness by making your environment as comfy and nurturing as possible. Think warm blankets, candles, warm tea, etc. I love to keep a heating pad nearby, so I can stay warm and comfy.

For more inspiration, check out this blog post on using the Danish concept of Hygge to create your dream cozy life.

I hope these tips help you make the most of this holiday season. 

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I hope your holiday season is warm, cozy, and joyful! Thank you for letting me be part of your journey to be your best self!

Let’s all have a cozy, mindful, enjoyable holiday season, together!

Featured Image: Photo by Bakd&Raw by Karolin Baitinger on Unsplash