Designing your ideal holiday season
With the holidays fast approaching, this is the perfect moment to pause and set your intentions for how you want the next couple of months to unfold. Instead of letting the season “just happen,” take a little time now to visualize, strategize, and organize what you want your holidays to look and feel like.
So often, we slide into November and December reacting to everything that comes our way - saying yes to too many things, feeling overwhelmed by clutter (physical and emotional!), and wondering where our time and energy went. But with a bit of forethought, you can create a season that’s aligned with your priorities and truly enjoyable.
Let’s explore what that might look like for you:
You want to go “all out”
If you love the sparkle and bustle of the holidays, then embrace it fully! This might be your year to:
• Pull out all your favorite decorations and make your home feel festive from top to bottom.
• Say yes to parties and gatherings that fill your cup, whether that’s a neighborhood potluck, a holiday concert, or a cozy cookie exchange.
• Schedule fun outings like holiday light shows, craft fairs, tree lighting ceremonies, or festive markets.
• Host your own get-together, even if it’s small. (Pro tip: set a theme that keeps it easy, like “bring your favorite appetizer” or “holiday pajama brunch.”)
If this sounds like you, go ahead and put these events on your calendar now. Seeing them in writing will help you balance your time and make sure the fun stuff doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.
You want to take it easy and keep things simple
If you’re craving peace, calm, and breathing room this season, give yourself full permission to do less.
• Keep decorations minimal, or skip them entirely and enjoy a clear, clutter-free space.
• Say no (without guilt!) to invitations that don’t feel right. You don’t owe anyone your time or energy.
• Make space for slow moments: a quiet morning with coffee and twinkle lights, evening walks to enjoy neighborhood decorations, or watching a favorite old movie with a blanket and hot cocoa.
• Focus on meaningful, low-effort traditions—like writing a few heartfelt cards instead of sending dozens, or baking one special treat instead of a marathon of holiday recipes.
Remember: simple can still be beautiful and deeply fulfilling.
You’re somewhere in the middle
Many of us land right here: a mix of festive fun and quiet moments. You might decorate one main area of your home and keep the rest simple, or attend just a couple of your favorite annual events while keeping most weekends free.
The key is to identify what really matters most to you this year and give yourself permission to let go of the rest. Maybe that’s quality time with friends, creating new traditions, or simply feeling less rushed.
A little planning goes a long way. No matter your holiday style, the secret to a smoother season is getting organized early.
• Block off your calendar now for things that matter most to you - both fun events and downtime.
• Make a short checklist of any prep tasks (buying gifts, mailing cards, meal planning) and schedule them in realistic chunks so nothing sneaks up on you.
• If your home feels cluttered or you know guests are coming, pick one space each week to refresh so it doesn’t all pile up at once.
When you make time for what’s meaningful and give yourself breathing room, the holidays stop feeling like a blur and start feeling intentional, peaceful, and joyful.
This is your gentle reminder that you get to design your season. Whether you go big or stay cozy and quiet, choose what supports your well-being, and let the rest go. Wishing you a beautiful, balanced start to the holidays.
