21 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy This Christmas Season

This time of year can be chaotic and stressful when the pressures of the Christmas season build up. If you feel like you struggle to enjoy December, then this list of 21 ways to slow down this Christmas and enjoy the real spirit of the holiday.

01. Invest in Cosy Christmas Decor For Your Living Room

This time of year is the perfect season to find some beautiful Christmas home decorations. Whether you love having a Christmas tree filling up your lounge, or want to find some unique festive ornaments, you can make your space a cosy winter palace to relax in.

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02. Homemade Christmas Gifts 

Try some Christmas crafts and make your own homemade gifts this year to give to family members and friends. Something homemade can make the most meaningful gifts and give you a chance to save money on your gift budget and explore your creative side.

03. Try New Delicious Recipes

Christmas is the time for new festive recipes to be tried and tested. Whether you like a roast dinner, Christmas cookies or more traditional winter desserts, there is no limit to the Christmas recipes you can try in the comfort of your own home. Try giving them out to neighbours or work colleagues as a random act of kindness this season.

04. Don’t Post on Social Media During December 

Leave the competitive world of social media behind for a month and log out of the apps for Christmas time. If you struggle to find enough time for yourself in December, avoiding social media is a great way of focusing on that quality time at home and releasing yourself from the pressure of attending huge amounts of Christmas events.

05. Plan a Christmas Movie Night With Friends 

Organise a cosy night in with your loved ones in front of the TV to watch your all time favourite Christmas movies. This is a great way of starting Christmas traditions with your best people, and is an easy, low stress activity that can involve everyone.

06. Enjoy Hot Chocolate Daily With a Book

Take a mindful moment everyday to really savour the festive energy with a hot chocolate or Christmas drink of your choice. Scents and flavours are a great way of kicking in that nostalgia, so make the most of it and take time out of each day to cosy up with a book and tasty treat all on your own.

07. Skip the Busy Christmas Party Season 

Don’t feel a lot of pressure to attend multiple Christmas parties and events this season, and instead opt out of hectic, busy environments that fill up your schedule and drain your social battery.

08. Make an Advent Calendar For a Loved One 

The perfect gift for your favourite person is certainly a homemade advent calendar! Wrap a small, little gift for every day of December up to Christmas Eve as a way of savouring the most wonderful time of the year.

09. Lower Your Alcohol Intake 

By drinking no alcohol in the Christmas party season, you can feel less stressed and anxious about keeping mentally well and healthy. Try festive mocktails and soft drinks and feel less pressure to indulge and risk feeling poorly in the festive season.

10. Attend Ticketed Christmas Events 

By choosing events with a limited number of tickets, there is less chance of feeling overwhelmed with busy and hectic crowds. These may be local Christmas markets, charity events or festive plays that can be attended on less busy days and a good way of reducing anxiety.

11. Plan a Christmas Walk

Despite the cold, its important for your mental health to venture outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. Invite your friends or family members on a long Christmas eve walk to enjoy the magical winter weather and Christmas lights in the ultimate low pressure natural environment.

12. Donate Christmas Presents to Charity 

Give back to your own community and donate Christmas gifts to a local charity this holiday season. The beauty of mindfulness is being able to take a step back and gain perspective about what truly matters at this magical time of year, and giving to those less fortunate to spread Christmas cheer is a great way of doing so. 

13. Plan a Low Energy Christmas Dinner 

Rather than feel under pressure to cook a full roast dinner for the whole family, make it a simple holiday season with easier, instant food options. Nobody wants to be spending time in the kitchen on Christmas Day, so take away the holiday stress and stick to ready made meals, oven food, cold cuts or even plan to dine out.

14. Visit the Christmas Market in November 

By December, every Christmas market will have heavy footfall and be hard work to navigate if you are easily stressed by busy environments. Try visiting at a less busy time and go in the last few weeks of November before Christmas is in full swing. 

15. A December Spa Day 

Self-care is the key to successful slow living, so force yourself and even loved ones to join you for a day of pampering at the spa. Rather than spending time at busy holiday parties and chaotic shopping adventures, take a deep breath in the jacuzzi and get a full-body massage in relaxing paradise.

16. Make Your Own Christmas Cards 

An easy way to get creative in front of a Christmas movie this year is to make your very own Christmas cards. It can take very little time and be kept simple if you struggle to be creative, so try searching for design ideas on Pinterest and get stuck in to this activity.

17. Find Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

Whether you prefer recycling gift wrap, or finding new materials and methods to use for your Christmas gifts, making your presents look beautiful is a great way to get invested in the Christmas season.

18. Host a Winter Solstice Party

​Host an intimate party to celebrate the winter solstice in your home, with festive drinks, food and easy-going party games. The more intimate the gathering the more quality Christmas memories you will be creating with your loved ones in a low stress environment.

19. Leave Space in Your Calendar to Relax

Try to avoid filling every day of December with Christmas activities and events. To make it a simple Christmas, plan solo activities like nature hikes or spa visits so you can spend important quality time cleansing your mind, body and spirit of any stress.

20. Plan a Christmas Morning Bath 

Take the morning of any stressful activities by planning a wonderfully relaxing Christmas bubble bath. Play soothing music, choose your favourite book and decorate with candles to create a beautiful ambience where you can feel totally at ease.

21. Make a Festive Scent Bowl 

Bring the festive scents to your cosy home by creating a simmer pot full of your favourite smelling ingredients. Christmas scents such as cinnamon, orange and pine are an easy way to bring the most wonderful time of the year in to your home environment.