I’m joining Alexandra again this year for our Live Your Best Holiday Life challenge. It is something that we created to help make the holiday season a little less stressful and more focused, by intentionally making time for activities that are budget-friendly, self-care centered, and festive.
Since we’re one month into the challenge–and the holiday season is in full swing–I wanted to provide a little update with how things are going so far.
Last year, we included daily prompts for our challenge, whereas this year we wanted to make it a little more laid-back with lists of ideas to use as a jumping off point. I shared on my Instagram Stories that while I like the idea of a more “go with the flow” challenge, it doesn’t work very well for me. What’s interesting is that Alexandra said she had a similar struggle with the daily prompts!
I’m a pretty type-A, to-do list-oriented person, and I need structure in my days. I found that if I don’t have something specific to focus on, I don’t think of our challenge at all. For me the daily prompts work well, so I’ve been revisiting last year’s prompts and following along when I can. Here are December’s prompts from last year if you want to follow along!
I shared these in my last post as well, but if you’re not a daily prompt person, below are the lists for budget-friendly activities, festive ideas, and self-care to try whenever you please.
Here are some of the things I’ve done so far as part of our #LYBHolidayL challenge.
- Created a Christmas budget (and am trying my best to stick to it!)
- Made a recipe with items already in my pantry (Pecan Pie bars to take to our family Thanksgiving)
- Snuggle up and watch a movie on a cold day. We watched Frozen on the day we had a blizzard.
- Checked in with a far-away loved one. The kids and I FaceTimed with my mom who is in Florida right now.
- Drank hot cocoa and worked on a Christmas puzzle with Jona.
- Listened to Christmas music while we decorated the house.
- Started a dinnertime tradition of saying what we’re thankful for during the month of November.
- Created a cozy space for reading and relaxing in our living room.
- Lit scented candles to enjoy in the evenings.
- Went to bed early to read… a lot of nights. Lately I’ve been trying not to push myself to stay up to get “one more thing” done.
For the month of December, I plan to enjoy the holiday season and try to focus on the things that are most important to me so that I don’t feel overwhelmed. In the spirit of “living my best holiday life,” I’m putting my time and effort into a few important things, and letting go of the pressure to do ALL THE HOLIDAY things that come my way. By planning ahead and listing the things I care about the most, it will help me to stay focused and lose that holiday FOMO guilt. Here are the things I plan to focus on.
- Bake and decorate cookies with Jona and Violet.
- Take Jona and Violet to visit Santa.
- Create a simple Advent calendar with fun holiday-centered activities and Bible verses to read.
- Enjoy the Christmas celebrations we have planned with family and friends.
- Watch classic Christmas movies, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Polar Express, and the original Grinch.
- Attend church on Christmas Eve and give the kids their special Christmas Eve gifts (PJs and Christmas books).
- Mail our Christmas cards (I already have them–just need to send!).
- Create photo gifts for grandparents.
What are you focusing on this holiday season? Alexandra and I would love if you joined in our challenge! Be sure to tag us on Instagram (@shealennon and @simplyalexandra12) and use the #LYBHolidayL hashtag.
