Planning a Peaceful Holiday Season: Your Self-Care Guide to a Stress-Free December 🎁

The holidays are supposed to sparkle—but for many women, they come with long to-do lists, family expectations, endless commitments, & not nearly enough time to breathe. That’s exactly why planning a peaceful holiday season before it starts is an act of radical self-care.

The older I get, I’ve learned that peace is something you prepare for, not something you hope for. When you start early, set boundaries, plan intentionally, & listen to your body, the holidays become something you can actually enjoy, as opposed to being stressed out & stretched to the max. Here’s how to create a December that serves your well-being—not your overwhelm:

1. Start With a Self-Care Vision (Before the Calendar Fills Up) 🔮

Before RSVPs, menus, shopping lists, & travel plans start flying around, pause & ask yourself:

• What do I want this holiday season to feel like?

• What drains me every year? What brings me joy?

• How do I want to show up for myself & my family?

Grab your journal or planner to create a “Holiday Peace Vision Page.” Write down your intentions, energy goals, & the emotional tone you want to carry into the season.

This sets the standard for everything else. Like they say “ask & you shall receive” or “closed mouths don’t get fed” (whichever you prefer).

2. Create Your December Flow Instead of Letting the Month Run You 💨

A peaceful holiday season isn’t about perfection—it’s about planning with purpose. What I mean by that is you’re not just flying by the seat of your pants or flailing around aimlessly. You put a lil thought into every move you make.

Try breaking December into categories:

• ✨ Non-negotiables — Rest days, self-care rituals, therapy appointments, quiet mornings

• ✨ Important moments — Traditions, gatherings that genuinely bring joy

• ✨ Optional events — Nice to attend but not required

• ✨ Hard no’s — Anything that drains your peace

Seeing your month this way makes decisions & boundaries easier. You become intentional, not impulsive. Mine stays booked out for weeks, but it helps me know in advance if I need to cut back on something to make sure my non-negotiables remain non-negotiable.

3. Protect Your Energy With Early Boundaries 🪬

You don’t need to justify why you’re protecting your peace; you just do it. When I say “protect your peace at all costs," I do mean ALL COSTS! Treat it as if it’s the most valuable thing you have (& in a lot of ways it is).

When you protect your energy, it’s best to communicate with the people around you. That communication won’t always be positive for you, & sometimes you have to practice what to say. Try these phrases:

• “Thank you for thinking of me, but I won’t be able to make it this year.”

• “I’m keeping December slow & intentional.”

• “We are simplifying this holiday season for our family’s well-being.”

  
  

Set your boundaries before the invites come in—so you’re choosing peace, not guilt.

4. Gift-Plan Early—But Thoughtfully 🎁

Start your gift list now to avoid last-minute panic. Keep it simple:

• Write everyone’s name

• Identify a meaningful, budget-aligned gift

• Assign a purchase week

• Schedule shopping in your planner

Or use this idea I got from my boss: each person gets a need, a want, something to read, & something to wear. No PowerPoint presentations for me this year from That Lil Girl! She's limited to those 4 things from her parents this year.

Pro tip: Handwritten notes inside holiday cards can be more memorable than expensive gifts. Put some thought into giving, especially when it comes to the adults who normally say "I don't know what I want."

5. Schedule Built-In Recharge Days 🪫

The holidays drain even the most organized women. Protect your peace by scheduling:

• At least one intentional rest day per week (I'm still working on a consistent one)

• A night for journaling & reflection (or you could do it nightly like I do)

• A slow morning with no obligations (Monday-Friday for me as long as nothing comes up)

• A “do not disturb” window for yourself (hello automatic nighttime setting MANDATORY)

  
  

When you schedule rest like you schedule errands, you stop treating your needs as optional. And if your needs are optional, there's room to think that you're optional as well. Well honey, you're not an option!

6. Commit to Simple Daily Self-Care Rituals 🧘🏽‍♀️

A peaceful season doesn’t require elaborate routines. Instead, try:

• A 10-minute morning/night journaling session

• A calming holiday playlist during your drive

• Stretching before bed

• Drinking water between holiday treats

• Writing one thing you’re grateful for every night

It’s the small, consistent self-care acts that keep your energy grounded.

7. Reflect Weekly to Stay Centered 🤔

Every Sunday (or whatever day is your reset), reflect on:

• What drained me this week?

• What brought me joy?

• What needs to change next week?

• What can I let go of?

• Where can I add more joy or rest?

Your journal becomes a “peace tracker” that helps you stay aligned with your intentions. When you look back on where you came from, you might be a bit amazed.

8. Give Yourself Permission to Simplify Everything ✂️

You don’t have to:

• Do all the traditions

• Attend all the events

• Host everything

• Bake everything from scratch (Who really has time for this?)

• Say yes to everything asked of you

You are allowed to simplify, scale down, say no, & choose ease. That is not laziness—that is leadership of your life.

Plan this season & journal to maintain mental wellness

✨ In the End…

Creating a peaceful holiday season starts long before December arrives. When you plan early, protect your energy, & prioritize self-care, you don’t just survive the holidays—you evolve through them.

This year, choose peace on purpose. Choose yourself. Choose a holiday that honors your mental & emotional well-being. Intentionally Evolve is here to support every step—with journals, planners, self-care tools, & community designed to help you thrive, not just hustle.