Cozy Celebrating May Be Just What You Need This Holiday Season

The holiday season can be magical—but it can also be a source of some pretty severe stress and drama. Think cancelled flights, busy stores, trying to squeeze in a ton of different celebrations with seemingly everyone you know, plus figuring out when exactly you can actually get to see your siblings, their kids, and your aunt.

But honestly, there’s a cure to the headaches and the hassle: Just give your holidays a calming makeover, and make your celebrations much cozier this season. I’ve been following this gentler approach to the holidays for the past several years, and it’s made my holiday season one that everyone enjoys (including me!). Here’s how to bring some calm to the chaos, and make this holiday season—and every one in the future—your best one yet.

Focus on What Sparks Joy for You and Your Loved Ones

Have you really taken a look at what’s on your to-do list and calendar for the holiday season? This year may be the time to go through line by line and see what really brings you joy—and make sure your time and energy go toward those things. And don’t be afraid to say goodbye to the things that no longer serve you!

That “sparks joy” list may be different for everyone—and may change as the years go on. My family was big on making gingerbread houses for a few years, but as my kids got older that fell off our list. Now, we focus our efforts simply on setting up the ultimate charcuterie board, which is our new and delicious New Year’s Eve tradition.

So if it isn’t the holidays without several different kinds of cookies, make a baking date. But don’t be afraid to bail on that neighborhood holiday party (and your contentious neighbor down the block) if you’d rather watch Elf and eat cookies instead.

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Yes, there’s something to be said for that late-night Instagram post with the lit Christmas tree and a generously sized stack of presents beneath it. But I quickly figured out that more isn’t necessarily better, and that many of those “wow, they’ll love this” gifts ended up being left aside as a new, shiny toy caught their eye.

Now, we focus a bit more on finding just a few perfect gifts—and end up with just as much joy (and a lot less waste) on Christmas morning.

Get Your Comfort On

For a truly cozy celebration, you know you’re not popping on sparkles and high heels. Think soft sweaters (or PJs!) and your favorite slippers—and don’t forget a snuggly throw or two so you can chill out at home for a hygge holiday.

Plan a menu that’s focused on comfort foods and cozy cocktails, and add in plenty of candlelight for a cozy time at home.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

If there’s something you don’t really love to do—but still needs to be done—look for ways to offload that to someone else, or make it easier on you. I generally don’t mind cooking, but I don’t like to spend hours in the kitchen over the holidays, when I could be playing games or doing something more fun with my family. So I tend toward make-ahead breakfasts and order a catered dinner that just requires a quick reheat for us to enjoy. If gift wrapping isn’t your jam (also a complaint of mine!) opt for reusable cloth bags and furoshiki, which can get your gifts wrapped and under the tree in a fraction of the time. And if you want lots of different kinds of cookies—but won’t (or shouldn’t!) go through dozens of cookies in the season, opt for a cookie swap instead.

Keep Your Celebrations Intimate

A big holiday party can be joyful—but they tend to take a lot of work, and odds are, you won’t get to spend more than a moment or two with each guest. But for years now, I’ve skipped the “more the merrier” approach, and kept our get-togethers to just a few of our favorite people at a time. That way, we get to spend more time with the people who matter most to us—and that’s something worth celebrating.

Spread Out the Fun

Yes, there’s a specific date for the holidays each year, but the dark days of winter stretch out well beyond New Year’s Day. So don’t be afraid to move your book club brunch to mid-January, or your larger family celebration beyond that Christmas-to-New Year’s timeframe that always tends to be overbooked. That way, those holiday good vibes—and all that joy—can last literally all season long.