As a blogger and influencer, November and December are VERY busy for me, so starting about five or six years ago, I made it a priority to take two weeks off for the holidays.

This is the time when my kids are out of school and my husband’s work schedule is also a lot lighter and I look forward to this break all year long!

The last time I talked about this, I received a ton of questions about how to make the week between Christmas and New Year awesome.

It’s a bit of a strange week for many of us, with everyone at home and few plans after the hustle and bustle of pre-Christmas December. And for some people it can be quite a sad week with the fun of Christmas gone and not much to look forward to afterwards.

I asked my Instagram community what their best ideas were on how to make the most of this week and they had some great ideas!

Here are some tips!

Don’t feel guilty about doing nothing/zero expectations
I wasn’t surprised to see that this was the top recommendation! If there is a week you give yourself permission to do so Nothing…this is the week! After weeks of holiday preparations, parties and family visits, it’s okay to rest. Don’t feel guilty about skipping your to-do list – embrace it! I always consider it a time to rest so I can start running in January.

Spend more time with family and friends
This was another tip that has been suggested several times that I want to make sure I have time for too! This is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. Spend time chatting with family members you haven’t seen in a while or reconnect with old friends who are in town. Whether it’s a cozy dinner, a winter walk, or just getting together and playing a board game, this extra time with family and friends won’t be forgotten. Two years ago, some friends invited us and another family over for an afternoon snack and we sat chatting and laughing with our kids playing so long that we ended up ordering takeout for dinner so we could all stay. It was magical!

Be spontaneous
This isn’t my normal nature, but this week seems like the perfect time to say “should we go out to dinner?” or “let’s text some friends to see who can come over for game night” or “how about watching a family movie at 10 in the morning?” This whole week feels like a YES week!

Get ready for the new year
I set goals for each new year (you can see all my past goals here) and the week between Christmas and New Year is a great time to think about the year ahead and reflect on the past year. I also like to get a head start on any goal by starting it the week before the new year (something my mom taught me). I usually just pick 1-2 things to start early, that way it doesn’t feel so overwhelming on January 1st.

Clean, purify and arrange the house
A fresh, tidy and functional home can help you feel ready for the new year. Tackle household clutter and tidy up after the holiday chaos. This might be a good time to purge old items, clean out your closets, or organize your pantry. And if you’ve been putting off small home improvement projects, now is the perfect opportunity to tackle them.

Don’t forget the food
Food was another topic that came up A LOT! You are my people! Many tips included taking the time to create fun new recipes, having lots of good snacks on hand for grazing, making treats together as a family, and dedicating this week to batch cooking so you don’t have to cook as much in the following weeks. I can agree with all these ideas! On New Year’s Eve we almost always organize a fondue party, which is great fun for both adults and children!

Leave the house
After a season of hosting gingerbread parties and staying cozy inside, it’s so refreshing to get out of the house and get moving. You better believe I’ll be on the ski slopes sometime this week! This is a great week to take advantage of the quieter time of the year and visit places that may be less crowded than usual. Some followers mentioned going to a family cabin, hiking, ice skating, or visiting museums. There’s nothing like a change of scenery or a breath of fresh air to really feel more energetic.

Let the kids take the lead
If you have children, this is a great time to let them take the lead. What do they imagine the week will be like? Let them help plan meals and organize some games or activities. Maybe it’s playing with Christmas presents, staying in your pajamas and hosting an impromptu talent show. Maybe they plan a family movie night, a craft project, or even a little outdoor adventure. Letting them take charge holds them accountable and also gives you a chance to relax and enjoy their creativity and excitement.

Do things that truly bring you joy
Whether it’s playing board games as a family, doing a puzzle by the fire, painting watercolors, baking treats, or watching any Christmas movies you’ve missed, make sure you make time to do the things you want to do. Actually like to do! Life is too short not to.

Plan your free time
Since the kids are out of school, it’s nice to plan to have some free time too! One follower said she likes to book a babysitter who is on school break so she can go out with her husband in the afternoon. And another said: “I take shifts alone with my husband, so we each have personal time.”

Take a break from social media
This is always hard for me because my work is on social media, but this is a week where I’m a lot more unplugged and I love it.

Set a planning date
My husband and I set aside one morning or afternoon each year during this week to get out for a few hours and spend time planning for the year ahead. We look at our finances, our travel plans, our personal and shared goals, and our activities and make sure we’re on the same page for the next year. It’s one of my favorite traditions! (I have a whole post about it here).

I’d love to hear how you make the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve special and fun!

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