Give Joy That Doesn’t Become Junk Holiday Gifts (2025 Edition)

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holiday gifts of experience 2025

As a certified professional organizer, I often share with clients that the best gifts are those that add connection without adding clutter. This holiday season, curate your generosity with the gift of experience rather than stuff.  That’s why I’m a strong advocate for gifts that are enjoyed, remembered, and then do not need to be stored. Here are some of my favorite fresh, thoughtful ideas for 2025.

Gourmet “Moment” Kits

Enjoy the moment together with these “experiences in a box.” Here are some of my favorite foodie treats.

  • Hot chocolate or cocoa bomb kits — beautifully packaged single-serve hot chocolate spheres, flavored with exotic spices or inclusions like caramel or lavender.

  • “Build-your-own” spice or seasoning kits — exotic salts, rubs, or finishing salts in sample vials, arranged with recipe cards for making meals.

  • Gourmet popcorn  — a movie-night treat, but nicer than just bagged corn, can be paired with a list of favorite streaming holiday movies.

These kits give the joy of making and sharing a treat with nothing left behind.

Artisan Consumables & Indulgences

Give a gift that perhaps someone will not purchase for themself.

  • Micro-batch chocolates, truffles, or bonbons — small, beautifully packaged.

  • Specialty teas, craft coffee samplers, or rare single-origin bags — beverages are classic “disposable” gifts.

  • Luxury bath bombs or artisanal soaps — the recipient uses them, scent fills the room, then they’re gone.

  • Edible florals, infused honeys, jam/jelly sets — pretty and tasty.

Consumables delight the senses, and those who receive your gift will feel pampered.

Experiences & Subscriptions (Short-Term)

Learning is a joy to be shared all year long with these experiences.

  • A cooking class, mixology workshop, painting class or pottery drop-in session — a live or virtual event to share time together.

  • A month-long subscription box (e.g. tea-of-the-month, snack boxes, or wellness samples) —  spread the joy over a longer period of time.

  • Gift certificates to local experiences — a spa day, wine tasting, escape room, or local theater.

  • Digital gifts or downloadable experiences — online art classes, guided meditation series, or virtual concert passes.

These are treasured experiences far more than another “thing” to store.

 Charitable or Giving Gifts

Give a gift that impacts more than the person who receives it.

  • Donate in someone’s name and present a certificate or digital card.

  • Sponsor a local cause or buy community meals in their name.

  • Give microfinance or scholarship gifts that generate impact for years to come.

Tips from the Organizer’s Toolbox

  • Keep the packaging simple with recyclable papers and boxes.

  • Your gift will feel special when it ties to the person’s tastes, hobbies, or a shared memory.

  • Set aside time on your calendar to give the gift and receive the joy of the person opening it.

 

This holiday season, skip the clutter trap. Choose gifts that get enjoyed together, not stored or kept hidden away for years.

Grateful for You this Thanksgiving

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grateful for you

When Thanksgiving Comes Late: ADHD-Friendly Strategies to Get Ahead for the Holidays

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If you live with ADHD, the holiday season can feel like a juggling act of deadlines, decisions, and details that all seem to happen all at once and all of the same importance.

This year Thanksgiving lands late in November, adding in extra details and decisions and taking away time. Now there are fewer weeks and less time. It is easy to feel behind before the season even begins.

The good news is that with a few ADHD-friendly strategies, you can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and enjoy the holidays even with fewer weeks on the calendar.

Create a visual tool to help you track tasks and time.

When Thanksgiving is later in the month, time feels like a blur between the holidays. Urgency can turn to paralysis.

  • Use a visual calendar to map out the next six weeks. Color-code tasks like shopping, decorating, travel, and rest.

  • Work backwards and write in time blocks for key events and deadlines. These are the critical priorities for the season such as purchasing, mailing, wrapping and delivery.

  • Set reminders with transition times built into the process. Multiple alarms beat one last-minute reminders.

Break projects into actionable micro tasks.

Big projects like getting ready for the holidays are overwhelming. Instead, write out clear, specific micro tasks that can be completed with as little decision making as possible.

  • Instead of “decorate,” try “find the box of ornaments.”

  • Instead of “shop for everyone,” try “order one gift online.

Create a flexible plan and expect changes. 

Managing expectations means creating a plan but keeping it flexible. Having a plan gives you scaffolding, managing it with flexibility keeps it on track.

Think of your plan as a flexible framework:

  • Keep a master to-do list and highlight only three priorities per day.

  • Use sticky notes or a digital board so you can easily move tasks around.

  • Celebrate progress, not perfection.

Work with your energy.

Extra activity can be energizing and draining. Work with your energy to preserve your self-care. Both introverts and extroverts benefit from using their energy wisely during the holidays.

  • Set up boundaries for task completion and make it known that done is perfect.

  • Schedule “no-peopling” days before and after major events.

  • Say “no” (kindly!) to commitments that don’t light you up.

  • Build in recovery time after social or family gatherings.

  • Set up bedtime routines as sacred.

Keep it simple especially at Thanksgiving.

A late Thanksgiving might mean skipping or reimagining some Thanksgiving and holiday traditions. Find ways to get help with a team of elves, semi-homemade foods, or enlisting your family. Get creative about what each holiday preparations are and imagine how to accomplish these easily. Be sure you have moments during the holidays season that bring you personal joy.

A late Thanksgiving can be a reminder about what is most important about this season of gratitude. Pause, plan, and create systems that support you and how your brain works best. Start small, start today, and make space for what really matters this season.

The One Gift I’m Giving This Year: A Password Keeper

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Each year, I like giving or making gifts that simplify life and bring joy. As a Certified Professional Organizer®, I’m always looking for practical tools that calm daily chaos. This year, my go-to gift for friends, family, and clients is one simple thing: a password book or online password keeper.

Why a password manager?

Managing passwords has become one of the biggest sources of frustration, emotion, and stress in modern life.  Everything requires an online account and authentication. Between banking, shopping, streaming, and every new app or service, everyone is managing hundreds of passwords. No one knows how to keep these easily accessible. Too often, that leads to sticky notes on the desk, scribbles on paper folders, forgotten login screens, or endless password reset emails. A password keeper can change that. It’s a small system that saves time, frustration, and brain space.

Here’s why I love giving this gift!

It brings instant clarity, agency, accessibility, and calm. There’s nothing quite like flipping to the alphabetical section of your book or opening a secure dashboard and finding exactly what you need. The biggest threats to our security are online now. It’s a simple way to create order in the scary digital world. Easy access to better security habits ensures you follow through with your intentions. When passwords are stored easily and safely, you make them stronger and unique for each account. No more using the same password everywhere or defaulting to “1234.” Life is full enough of daily friction and frustration.

 

A bonus for both paper and digital access is that you can share these passwords as needed with loved ones. Having help to access financial information through password keepers makes life less stressful for your family, too. From college students managing their first bank accounts to older adults navigating online medical portals, everyone can benefit from an easier way to keep track of passwords.

Do I choose paper or digital?

Whether you prefer a cute little notebook or a digital option like 1Password, Dashlane, or Bitwarden, the idea is the same. Having a simple tool that helps you stay organized and stress-free in an increasingly digital life will be life-changing!

This year, I’m giving the gift of simplicity and security. You know that the most meaningful gifts aren’t about more stuff. Especially at times like these, the best gifts are about less worry and less clutter.

A Fuss-Free Thanksgiving: Simple Ways to Stay Organized and Enjoy the Day

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Thanksgiving can be less stressful and less messy.  You can enjoy your time with your friends and family by keeping it simple. It’s all in how you organize your preparation and meals.  Here are a few tips on making your day fun, festive, and fuss-free Thanksgiving.

 

Beverage station

Make it easy for you and your company to help themselves.  Set up a beverage station with ice, your choice of adult and kid beverages, and glasses.  If it’s a cool day, you may decide on a hot cider with a ladle and mugs, too.  Place your station in an area that will bring traffic away from the kitchen and into a gathering spot.

 

Nibbles

Take a tip from Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa, and Sandra Lee, Semi-Homemade, and have a few nibbles out before the main meal. It will keep kids and adults from being underfoot in the kitchen.  A Thanksgiving charcuterie and a bowl or two of nuts is a great starter for the holiday meal.  If anyone wanders into the kitchen, put them to work chopping!

 

Disposable plates

There’s already a lot to wash and dry, so why not go with biodegradable dishware for the day?  Available from LeafNFiber, these lovely plates will add to the natural decor of the day and make clean up easy.

 

It’s all about timing

Make a list of what’s for dinner. After this, create a timeline for what goes into the oven at what time.  If your list is the same each year, consider creating this in digital form in Notes, Notion, or Evernote or a notebook to keep and save. Lower your cognitive load by referring to the list throughout the day.

 

Add entertainment

Everyone’s stress level goes down with a soundtrack.   Have a guest create a playlist as a backdrop for the day. A family game or a walk after dinner brings out the conversationalist in everyone. Our family’s favorite game is Do You Really Know Your Family.

 

Leftovers

Plan ahead to keep and share leftovers.  Purchase inexpensive plastic ware to give away as leftovers leave.  Everyone loves this gift!

 

Go team!

Take a trick from football and other team sports that are on television on Thanksgiving.  Get your team in gear.  That means everyone has a part to play or a job for dinner, clean up and other activities.  There are many small jobs that can be done throughout the day, including ones specifically for your kiddos.  Help everyone pitch in by giving everyone something small to do to be a part of the festivities. The best Thanksgivings are when everyone brings a favorite dish. You divide up your list and share it with those who are joining the feast.

 

 

What ways do you make it a fuss-free Thanksgiving at your home?

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What People Say When They are Working with a Certified Professional Organizer

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CPO

Many people start with good intentions but quickly feel overwhelmed when it comes to getting organized. That’s where a Certified Professional Organizer® (CPO®) makes all the difference. Working alongside a trained and credentialed professional can give you the structure, accountability, and expertise needed to create lasting change. Here’s what clients often share with me about the value of working with a CPO.

“Writing out a less complicated plan helped me get started.”

When plans are overcomplicated, it is hard to get started or continue the project. You have a vision, but it lacks clarity. With a CPO, you can write out the organizing process to make sure it is accomplished in the most efficient way.

“Writing down my baby steps.”

The struggle happens when you have to remember all the details. Together, writing down the details makes your plan manageable. That might be a color-coded chart created together or a list your CPO writes and texts to you. Along the way, you are devising a manageable plan with real baby steps.

“Keeping me on track.”

You set a deadline, but it can be a long way off. Accountability is one of the most frequently requested parts of the organizing process. Staying focused on a project is often the hardest part. A CPO brings “loving” accountability and helps you maintain momentum, even when the process feels daunting. With someone encouraging you and being alongside you step by step, you’re less likely to get stuck or lose sight of your goals.

“Helping execute my plan.”

Many people know what they want their home, office, or schedule to look like, but don’t know how to get there. Getting started on your plan may be the hardest part. A CPO helps translate your vision into an actionable plan and works beside you to carry it out. Instead of facing endless tasks alone, you have a partner who helps break those tasks into small, manageable steps. Planning is a great asset, and so is execution.

“Giving me permission to declutter my stuff.”

Sorting through belongings can feel emotional and overwhelming. Those items may really be a burden while also feeling like a responsibility.  A CPO brings a fresh perspective, guiding you through decisions about what to keep, donate, or discard. With CPO support, you’ll create space and clarity in your environment.

“Changing my environment to be more productive.”

Your surroundings have a huge impact on your focus and energy. A streamlined environment is where productivity starts. A CPO helps you design systems and spaces that support productivity, whether that’s setting up a streamlined home office, reorganizing your kitchen, or creating routines for daily life. The result? A space that works for you to enhance and empower your productivity.

“I could not do this without you.”

If you could, you would! There are so many ways a CPO makes a difference. You have the plan, and a CPO arriving makes stuff happen. Your trust in your CPO creates a powerful partnership. A CPO can also act as a body double, giving you the energy and focus to complete your goals. I love making a difference in time and space in my clients’ homes and lives.

Working with a Certified Professional Organizer® is more than just tidying up.  It’s about building systems, habits, and environments that support the life you want. With expertise built on a strong foundation of education, you’ll feel empowered, supported, and set up for success.

Organizing Your Garage with ADHD: Simple Steps to Clear the Clutter

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organizing your garage

For many people with ADHD, the garage is the ultimate catch-all space. It’s where holiday decorations, sports equipment, unfinished projects, and “I’ll deal with this later” boxes all land. At times, it is also the oops spot, as in “I wondered where my dry cleaning went.” Before long, the garage becomes overwhelming, and just opening the door can feel stressful.  With the right approach, you can create a functional, organized garage that works for you. Let’s break it down into manageable steps that keep ADHD brains in mind.

Build a team

Garage organizing is a team sport. Gather your team of helpers, whether paid teenagers or paid by pizza family members. Set a series of calendar dates for you to work together on this project.

👉 Tip: Have plenty of water and protein bars ready to go.

Start Small (Really Small)

Instead of tackling the whole garage at once, choose one small area, such as a section of the floor, a single shelf, a corner, or even a cardboard box. Success in small chunks builds momentum and prevents burnout. No matter what small spot you start at, that is the gateway to motivation and completion.

👉 Tip: Use a timer and work for 30 – 60 minutes at a time. Then take a break.

Sort with Simple Categories

ADHD brains can get lost in making decisions, so keep categories simple, broad, and easy. Most garages have these categories, such as landscaping, tools, and sports. Take an inventory of what you think belongs in your garage and set up a box for each category. Gathering the categories together makes it easier to discard later. Also, set up a box or laundry basket for relocation. Those are the items that go back into the house.

👉 Tip: Label all your boxes and bins before you start so you can easily locate your categories.

Create “Homes” for Your Things

Think about how you use the garage and arrange your storage. No decisions, just drop it where it goes! Once you have all the items sorted, you can assess what to edit.

  • Sports gear near the door for quick grab-and-go.
  • Tools hung on a pegboard so you can see them all at once.
  • Seasonal items are stored higher up, since you won’t need them every day.
  • Kids’ toys are stored near the garage door that opens to the driveway.
  • Use vertical storage wisely with 5 – 6 shelf rolling racks.
  • Use clear storage bins with labels to know what you have.

👉 Tip: The goal is to make it easier to put things away than to drop them on the floor.

Keep garbage and recycling in mind

Clutter builds up when recycling routines are inadequate. Keep your recycling easy to accomplish and set a reminder for weekly recycling. If you have too much to recycle at that time, ask a neighbor if you can put out extra at their house. Or drop off recycling in community bins.

For the garbage left from your garage cleanout, plan on hiring a junk hauler who can bring these items to the appropriate donation locations. That way, there are no lingering parts to this project.

👉 Tip: Make recycling easy with an inside and outside station.

Built-in Maintenance

Garages get messy fast, especially with ADHD. Set a reminder once a month for a 10-minute reset. Pull your car in every night to be sure this space is kept orderly. Just put things back in their homes and toss out trash. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just enough to keep chaos from piling up.

25 Things You Should Know About Executive Function

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adhd awareness month

 

In Honor of ADHD Awareness Month

Have you struggled with letting go of clutter, all the decisions, and the steps needed? Or stared at a long to-do list and felt so overwhelmed that it was difficult to prioritize? Maybe it is difficult getting started on your laundry, paperwork, or work projects?

These everyday challenges are connected to executive function. Executive function skills are the brain’s coordination and management system. These are the cognitive skills that help you plan, organize, focus, regulate, and accomplish. Executive function is often the biggest challenge for people with ADHD.

Here are 25 things you should know about executive function, grouped by the 5 major areas it affects for organization and productivity.

Organization

Executive function helps you keep spaces orderly, track belongings, and let go of items that no longer serve you.

  • Difficulty with organization can lead to clutter, misplaced items, and missed deadlines.

  • Visual systems work best in supporting organizational skills.

  • Digital tools (calendars, reminders, apps) are especially helpful for managing complex schedules.

  • Organization improves when you break tasks into smaller, manageable parts.

👉 System Tip: Create a Command Center (a consistent spot for keys, bags, papers, or digital files) so items don’t get lost and routines stay on track.

Planning & Prioritizing

Executive function allows you to set goals and establish clear steps to reach them. It also helps you decide what order to do tasks in a project and manage multiple steps.

  • Struggles with planning often look like procrastination, but often stem from unclear next steps and unaddressed emotions.

  • Prioritizing means choosing from your master list the sequence of what to do.

  • Using planners, checklists, or project outlines builds stronger planning habits.

  • Planning backwards with the end goal and using time blocks in sequence helps reach your goal.

👉 System Tip: Use Weekly Planning Time (like Sunday evening planning) with a calendar and task list to decide your top three priorities for the week.

Working Memory

Working memory is the ability to hold information in your head while using it.

  • It helps with following multi-step directions, solving problems, and recalling details.

  • Limited working memory capacity can make instructions, conversations, or lectures feel overwhelming.

  • Writing tasks down frees up cognitive load and makes it easier to start tasks.

  • Strategies like repeating information aloud or chunking it into smaller parts boost recall.

👉 System Tip: Set up a capture system (like a notebook, notes app, or voice recorder) to quickly store thoughts and instructions before they slip away.

Task Initiation

Executive function helps with initiation, which is starting a task.

  • Trouble with initiation frustrates people and often requires a specific strategy.

  • Breaking down the very first step makes starting easier.

  • Body doubling, which is working alongside someone else, can smooth out initiation.

  • A clear routine or cue (like setting a timer) creates momentum to begin.

👉 System Tip: Use a “warm up” like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes work, 5 minutes break) to create a workflow.

Emotional Regulation

Executive function plays a role in managing fear, stress, frustration, and disappointment.

  • Difficulty regulating emotions can lead to impulsive reactions or procrastination.

  • Meditation and mindfulness practices strengthen awareness of emotions before they escalate.

  • Pausing creates space for better decision-making.

  • Naming your feelings (“I’m overwhelmed,” “I’m frustrated”) reduces their intensity and builds control.

👉 System Tip: Build an “emotional reset system” with tools like sensory awareness, a short walk, or a quick grounding exercise you can use when emotions run high.

Executive function skills are boosted by working with a certified professional organizer or coach. These skills can be supported and strengthened with the right strategies, tools, and guidance. Choose one area to start and focus on ways to strengthen your skills.

How to Tackle Time-Consuming Tasks (that You Thought Would be Easy to do)

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how to tackle time consuming tasks

 

All tasks are not equal. There are tasks you guess should take just a few minutes, and then an hour later, you are just finishing. There are tasks that are actually projects that as you work on them have multiple steps that keep multiplying. Rarely is there a just five-minute task anymore. Lately, everyone has been commenting on how complicated it seems to be to get stuff done. Whether it’s getting help around the house, working on your email, completing an online form, or clearing out your closet, some tasks take longer than you expected.

You may long for simpler times with easier-to-complete tasks. However, with a few strategies, you may feel you are gaining efficiency and making tasks more manageable. The big secret to task management is breaking tasks down into manageable chunks and allocating time to each segment.

 

Be specific about the task

Is it a task or a project? A task is a single step, while a project is multiple steps. Knowing this, you are ready to begin. Add the task to your list with a specific action. Using action words also helps you know where to start.

  • Instead of “Do taxes”, write gather documents for taxes, prepare income section, prepare charity section, or contact a tax preparer.
  • Instead of “Hire lawn person”, write gather potential names, ask neighbors, contact lawn people for estimates, and finalize the decision.
  • Instead of “complete TSA form”, write go to website, gather documents, make appointment, and so on.

 

Break tasks into microtasks

Breaking down your tasks into microtasks gives you the opportunity to make progress in baby steps. You can batch by time with a 15-minute microtask list. You can batch by category, like all phone calls. Or you can write out the microsteps and keep that as a list with the project itself.

Instead of “Complete expense report,” break it into:

  • Get the form for the report
  • Gather supporting data from credit cards
  • Categorize by meals, accommodations, and travel
  • Add information to the report
  • Create pdf
  • Upload information
  • Hit send to the correct person

Each microtask should be something you can complete in 15–30 minutes. Celebrate each step along the way because you are making progress!

 

Use the “Next Action” Trick

If you are unsure where to start on a project, think of the next action. By asking yourself what the very next thing is, you can move a task forward bit by bit. As you build momentum, you will gain clarity. One of the best first actions is to organize the materials needed, get the form itself, or follow a checklist that may be provided. There are often instructions provided for where to start. If you are not sure of the next action, narrow the options to no more than 2 or 3. If you have too many options, you stall out because of making a decision about the next option. Gather crowd-sourced information if you struggle with making that next action decision.

 

Schedule your task time

Have you heard the phrase “a plan is a wish without a calendar?” Large, overwhelming, scary, or vague tasks sitting on your to-do list are easy to ignore. Instead, schedule time on your calendar to do the microtasks you created. Try blocking out 25-minute chunks using the Pomodoro Technique (work for 25 minutes, break for 5, for a series of three 25-minute sessions). This works especially well for deep thinking or tedious tasks. Begin to know your pattern for how long you can work. Some people are hyperfocused and can work for lengthy time periods. Other people know that they have a short attention span or frustration span.  Learning this helps you allocate sufficient time.

 

Batch similar tasks

Some unrelated tasks often have similar activities. That might be setting dates, writing emails, or making phone calls. Group related microtasks together to reduce mental switching. This batching keeps your brain in one mode longer, which saves energy and increases focus. You are more efficient in batching and feel more successful too.

 

Use a digital progress tracker or checklist

Seeing progress is motivating. A series of unending tasks holds us back. Use a checklist or a tool like Click Up, Notion, or even a sticky note to track completed microtasks. The satisfaction of checking things off gives you momentum—and makes the task feel far less intimidating. Make your tracker and checklist easy to see every day. You will notice the impression this makes on your energy level and confidence.

 

Allow for flexing as needed

Time-consuming tasks often expand beyond your estimate. Build buffer time into your schedule so you’re not thrown off when that 15-minute task actually takes 40. This keeps you from feeling frustrated. In addition, build in a transition time between the task and the next activity. This way you avoid being irritable about switching between tasks, projects, and activities. That transition time applies to getting ready for the day.

 

It is not easy to estimate how long it will take for a task or project. By using new strategies, you will become more comfortable with the time it takes to accomplish your to-do list. Good luck!

 

25 Ways to Get Ready for the Holiday Season

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The beginning of October ushers in the holiday season.  The joy of the season is amplified by preparation.  Many extra tasks and projects can be a mix of joy and stress. With intention, planning, and organization, you can create a holiday season that’s meaningful, enjoyable, and even relaxing. Here are 25 ways to get ready for the holidays so you can spend less time worrying and more time celebrating.

Home & Décor

  • Declutter before decorating .  It is time to refresh you space before you start to decorate. Clear out old or unused items so your home feels fresh and ready for seasonal décor. Let go of decor you have not used in several years.
  • Check your holiday decorations. Inventory what you have so you know what you need. Test lights, organize ornaments, and repair or replace anything broken.
  • Think through your decorating plan.  Each year brings a new approach to your decorating. Update your plan and decide which areas of your home you’ll decorate. Remember to keep it simple if you have less time and energy.
  • Set up a wrapping station. Make it easy and fun to do the required tasks. A wrapping station consolidates all your tools and materials. Keep tape, scissors, tags, and wrapping paper in one place.
  • Gather a team for cleaning and decorating. Remember that a team effort will help you enjoy the time together and be efficient.

Food & Entertaining

  • Plan your holiday treats and meals with simplicity.  It’s easiest to focus on your family recipes if you have help with semi-homemade extras. Write menus and grocery lists now to avoid last-minute stress. Use curb side delivery for easy shopping.
  • Stock your pantry with essentials. Know your stock and keep it fresh. Pull out recipes early to stock what is needed.
  • Prep freezer-friendly dishes. Your menu can include easy-to-prepare recipes that can be duplicated to save time. Soups, casseroles, and cookie dough freeze well and save time later.
  • Plan ahead for homemade gifts. Write out your holiday treat giving on your calendar to plan for time to purchase, bake, and deliver your treat.
  • Check serving dishes and cookware. Make sure you have enough platters, roasting pans, and storage containers.

Gifts & Shopping Lists

  • Create a gift list that follows your budget.  Write down recipients and brainstorm gift ideas in advance. Think about family games and puzzles as gifts that bring people together.
  • Set a holiday budget. Especially this year, finances are tight. Decide what you’ll spend on gifts, food, travel, and events to avoid overspending. Track your expenses on an app or spreadsheet to keep up with a tally.
  • Shop your gift closet. It is time to use all those gifts you picked up all year.
  • Order online early and track your items. Many times deliveries happen without boxes being opened. Shop, inventory, and then wrap throughout the season.
  • The joy of the season is in wrapping and delivering. Wrap gifts as you buy them instead of waiting until the night before and set a date on your calendar to deliver.

Family & Traditions

  • Host a family meeting to set dates. Block off dates for school concerts, family gatherings, and community events.
  • At your family meeting, prioritize traditions. Have everyone share what is their favorite holiday event. Decide which rituals matter most to your family and let go of extras that cause stress.
  • Schedule time to reflect and reset. Protect family evenings for rest, games, or movies together.
  • Prepare for holiday traditions with shopping lists. Use curbside delivery for help.
  • Don’t forget family fun that brings everyone togther.  Holiday outdoor light scavenger hunts, baking breads and cookies, and volunteering together are ways to spend time together.

 

Self-Care & Peace of Mind

  • Plan your attire for the holidays. Make this easy by assembling your holiday attire together in your closet.
  • Keep gift cards ready. Having extra cards available and low amount gift cards makes gift giving easier.
  • Get to the airport early and have your playlist ready. Arriving early makes parking and getting through the check in process less stressful.
  • Bring your holiday intentions to life by setting happy boundaries. Reflect on what is meaningful to you and follow your intentions with a polite no. Overcommitment leads to frustration and aggitation.
  • Focus on gratitude. Writing in a holiday journal, you can share what you’re thankful for.  Many families have a gratitude jar for the holiday season.

The holiday season doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a little preparation and lots of intention, you can enjoy more of what truly matters most. By prioritizing time with family and friends, meaningful traditions, and the season’s spirit, you have the most joyful of holidays. Pick a few of these 25 strategies to start today, and you’ll be ready to celebrate with less stress and more joy.