From the moment November begins, it feels like the universe changes the playback speed of life from 1.0 to 2.0. Everything is more chaotic and demanding, and everyone seems to be holding their breath in hopes that they can make it through the next two months without losing their minds or dropping any balls.
We are planning meals and making class treats, changing out seasonal decor around the house, planning and buying all the gifts for everyone (every. single. person.), trying to remember to dress our kids in the right festive outfit on the correct corresponding day, moving an elf every night (well, some of us are doing that… myself not included), wrapping all of the previously mentioned gifts, going to holiday parties, and doing the emotional and mental prepping for our children to be home on Winter Break for two-ish weeks.
READ: Burned Out for the Holidays
It is absolute insanity, and it seems like we’re all just in survival mode until January rolls around and things go back to at least somewhat normal.
It moves at warp speed but somehow also moves in slow motion, but eventually the holiday season ends, and January does roll around. Our kids finally go back to school… and then we all take a collective sigh, releasing the pressure like our InstantPots as our brains do a hard reset. Despite the massive exhale and reset, the irony is that come January, I find it really hard to find my footing, get my bearings, and settle back into normalcy. It’s this weird mixture of reflection, hope, and exhaustion… and beside the deep craving for a slowdown is the sadness that is pivoting back into day-to-day life.
Because while the holidays are insane, the chaos is accompanied by cheer, and the madness is coupled with magic. While day-to-day life is marked by deadlines, responsibilities, and to-do lists that don’t include nearly as many cookies, ribbons, or surprises as my holiday list did. Once the holiday decor comes down in my house, my mornings and evenings feel less beautiful. Which is why I’m here to share with you some ways that can help reduce the post-holiday hangover and increase the magic your life holds all year long.
The decor. Are you missing the dreamy lighting of your holiday decorations? Put twinkle lights in your house — small fairy lights or big round bulbs — whichever your heart desires.
The treats. Craving the treats that accompany the holiday season? Find new reasons to bake or exchange treats. There is no rule that says cookie exchanges are only for December. Plan a Galentine’s Day cookie exchange!
The magic. Wishing for a resurgence of the anticipation and surprise that your kids emanate during December? Plan random fun days throughout the year — schedule them on your calendar, and while you scheme in the background, tell your kids only the bare minimum so they can be excited leading up to each one. It doesn’t have to be extravagant to be surprising and delightful. Alternatively, allow your kids to plan a surprise day for you where you get to swap places in the exchange of surprise.
The gifts. Do you miss wrapping and buying gifts for people? Try to remind yourself that gifts don’t have to be big or only given for holidays. Make gifts for people you love, wrap them beautifully, and give “just because” gifts. I can assure you that if you think it’s magical to watch people you love open gifts when they know the gifts are coming, you will LOVE watching them be caught off guard and given a gift without warning.
I hope some of these post-holiday hangover tips and tricks can help you and me both keep the magic we love alive past January, to remember that the holiday season is maniacal but magical, and to seek out moments of joy and delight all year long instead of cramming all of the cheer into two months of the year. If all else fails, remember you’re not alone and Christmas will be back before we know it… thrills, frills, glitter, and all.
