For most people, when we think of Christmas, we think of gift shopping, attending parties and gatherings, decorating the house, cooking for the family, etc. All of these are things that have evolved in a sort of “responsibility”. This is why I have a question for you.
Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I take care of myself at Christmas?”
Yes, you guessed it, many people don’t even consider their own wellbeing around the holidays because of how focused they are on making other people happy. While this is an admirable state of mind, we shouldn’t forget that we are equally important and should properly care for ourselves.
Below I have outlined some Christmas self-care ideas, which are simple and easy to do and can leave a very positive mark on your wellbeing. Take a look and take your pick.
Which one sounds the most appealing to you?
Self-Care Around Christmas | 25 Must-Try Ideas
1. Prep your home for the holidays
Christmas is the one time in the year when you can decorate all you want, without the fear of going overboard. If festive decorations are your thing, it’s time to take out the dusty boxes (if you haven’t done so already) and deck the halls with boughs of holly.
2. Spend quality time with a friend
We all have that one friend that we love to hang out with but never seem to find the time to actually get together. Consider making it a priority this Christmas time to set aside the time for you two to drink coffee at least and spend a quality afternoon together.
3. Organize a Secret Santa
I may be biased on this one, but I love Secret Santa. You don’t have to go too hard on the presents but rather try to give the person you pick something meaningful. For me, regifting some of my favorite things is often the answer because they carry a lot of meaning and value.
4. Bake cookies
Is it really Christmas if you haven’t baked something at least once? If cooking is your forte, take an afternoon off and indulge in baking as many batches as you can handle. And if you are a real pro, you can even experiment with some recipes online.
5. Indulge in naps
I don’t know about you, but naps are essential for my self-care routine. And during Christmas time, they are exceptionally seductive. So don’t feel guilty if you procrastinate and decide to nap instead – I fully support this decision!
6. Treat yourself to a self-care package
Self-care boxes are the perfect way of pampering yourself without giving it much thought. This one I found on Etsy seems to have everything you’ll need to take proper care of yourself. From all kinds of masks, through cozy socks and chocolate, all the way to scented candles – what more do you need?
7. Clear your afternoon and read a book
I am an avid reader, but somehow, I feel even more compelled to drop everything and read a whole book in one afternoon when Christmas rolls around. If you, too, are a reader, I urge you to follow my example – nothing feels better than cozying up on the sofa with a book while it’s cold and snowy outside.
8. Take a long walk
Walks aren’t typically associated with Christmas time, but I find the crisp cold air is strangely refreshing. If you feel a lot of anxiety building up this holiday season (which isn’t something unusual), consider going out for a long walk to clear your head out.
9. Pick up journaling
Journaling is a great way to relieve stress and take better care of yourself. Most people avoid picking this up because they simply don’t know where to start. My advice – just start reflecting on the last day you had. How did you feel? What happened?
10. Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’
Ironically, sometimes the holidays can get very overwhelming, which can tamper with our holiday spirit. This is why it’s essential to say ‘no’ to things that you know will make you feel miserable and stressed. Be it an invitation to visit relatives or a party, saying ‘no’ is a meaningful way to take better care of yourself.
11. Don’t gift, regift
Looking for the perfect gift can often take a toll on the sanity of some people. If you are a stressful shopper and don’t want to get in the thick of it, I suggest regifting items you own. This is a wonderful way to pass on something significant meaning for you and make another person equally happy.
12. Do a house aromatherapy
Making your house smell nice around Christmas has never been easier. Just slice up some lemons, tangerines, add some spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Put everything together with water on the stovetop and simmer until you smell the scent of Christmas all across the house!
13. Host a get-together
Get-togethers are my favorite thing to do during Christmas time. Throw a board game night with some mulled wine and your favorite people, and enjoy the cozy feeling that will start to bubble up inside you. If you are an extroverted and social creature, this is one of the best forms of self-care.
14. Choose comfy over stylish
When the temperatures start to drop, you have no excuse not to choose comfy outwear over your usual stylish preferences. I have noticed that winter isn’t the most elegant season since it involves a lot of layers to keep you warm, so why even bother?
15. Volunteer
Tis’ the season of giving, and what better way to make yourself feel good than helping other people out? There are plenty of volunteering initiatives when Christmas time rolls around, so you will be sure to find something local where you can participate.
16. Don’t stress over gift-giving
As I mentioned above, finding the perfect gift can often put a lot of stress on people. This is why I suggest not to overthink this, for the sake of your wellbeing. Even if you give the people you love something small but meaningful; they will be happy nonetheless, trust me.
17. Hit the spa with a friend
Soaking in warm hot springs or relaxing in the toasty sauna just hits different when it’s cold and snowy outside. Treat yourself to a nice relaxing day at the nearest spa and bring a friend along (possibly the one from point number 2).
18. Unplug for a while
Christmas time is the best time for committing to a digital detox – even if it’s for a while. So try restraining yourself from posting every tidbit of the holiday season on your Instagram feed or indulging in a TikTok marathon before bed. You will start to feel noticeably better in no time.
19. Do a holiday movie marathon
Home Alone, Elf, Love Actually, The Holiday… There are so many Christmas movies to choose from, and even if you have already seen most of them, they somehow always manage to hit the right tone when the season rolls around. My suggestion for a holiday movie will always be… Harry Potter!
20. Write a letter to Santa
Who said you couldn’t write a letter to Santa just because you are a 20 something-year-old? Revisit this Christmas tradition and see if you can still write a letter that manages to wrap up all the things you want for this holiday season. You can even level up a notch and reflect on what the past year has given you.
21. Practice some holiday crafts
Christmas is the best time of the year to roll your sleeves up and revisit gift packaging and making hearses. If you have never done that before – that’s ok! There are plenty of Youtube videos around, and I am sure your local arts and crafts shop has all you need to make the perfect holiday craft.
22. De-clutter your home
If you decide to regift presents this year, it might be worth your while to do some decluttering while you’re at it. There is something so liberating in getting rid of old things you don’t care much about anymore. And the best part – gifting or donating them to someone who needs them more than you feels terrific.
23. Spend a whole day in your PJs
Spending a whole day in your PJs is a must when Christmas comes around. Typically, I indulge in this when the actual holiday is upon us, just because I can munch on good food and watch a Christmas movie with the whole family.
24. Play in the snow
If you are lucky enough to have snow around Christmas time, I urge you to put on some warm mittens and a scarf and go outside to make some snow angels. With global warming upon us, who knows how long you will have this opportunity?
25. Outline goals for the next year
One of my favorite ways to end the year, which is also highly therapeutic, is to outline what I want to do in the upcoming year. Taking some time to reflect and ponder on my goals, what I achieved, and what is yet to come is a lovely way to realign with myself and wrap up the year on a good notch.
Final Words on Christmas Self-Care Ideas
Which one of these festive self-care ideas do you think would fit your schedule best during the holidays? I think I would enjoy the most some extra sleep (who wouldn’t) and maybe outline my goals for the following year. It’s my favorite part of every Christmas holiday season. I wish you happy holidays and Merry Christmas 2021
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25 Christmas Self-Care Ideas You Won’t Regret Indulging In
Blogger, dreamer, procrastinator, and lover of everything soul-touching. My mission is to make you laugh, provoke your thoughts, light up your day and inspire you to fall in love with life and yourself.
