December can be an overwhelming month full of holiday shopping, not-to-be-missed events, family dynamics and financial hardships. And as the year comes to a close, it’s easy to feel like we have to quickly do it all so we can have a fresh start for the new year. But December is also one of the most magical and celebratory months, so why not make the most of this month by setting both productive and enjoyable goals to finish the year strong, satisfied and full of holiday cheer?
1: Plan your holiday shopping and December budget.
Holiday shopping is fun… but can also be really stressful. You might struggle with gift ideas and feel the pressure of time ticking down. When planning your gift buying, it helps to set a specific date to complete your shopping. This will allow you to place orders, go to different stores and take your time to wrap your gifts.
By setting a timeline for yourself, you’ll allow yourself to enjoy December more and be present in the weeks leading up to the holiday. This gives you more time to participate in fun activities without the stress in the back of your mind!
Going along with the discussion of gift-buying, it can be super helpful to have a budget set and planned out for the month of December. It’s not just gifts that drain the bank this month, activities with friends and family, special treats, holiday food and fun parties are what make this month so magical yet can get pretty costly.
Having a budget laid out at the start of the month helps you feel in control of your finances and allows you to enjoy December without worrying too much about your finances. Buy, download or make a budget planner and figure this out at the start of December. You’ll thank yourself later.
2: Move your body.
Holidays are a time to be fully present, enjoy good food and drink, great company and engage in festivities. If a rigid workout schedule interferes with that, then skip a day – life is too short to miss out on those holiday memories.
That being said, moving your body is a great way to avoid that end-of-year slug. Making time for some kind of movement each day (no matter how small) can combat the holiday stress and give you the energy boost to finish this year feeling fit and happy.
Whether it’s an after-dinner stroll, some light stretching in your Christmas PJs, a sweaty workout, or that hike you have been eyeing all year, making time for yourself and moving your body will help you enjoy this festive month to the fullest.
3: Make time for YOU.
Speaking of making time for yourself, it can feel like you barely have any time for yourself this month with a busy work schedule and lots of gatherings, errands and gifts. But in this busy holiday season, we would argue that it is even more important than usual to take some time off to recharge, because if you don’t fill your own cup; how will you be a resource to others?
It might seem odd to have to actively schedule downtime… but do it! On your calendar, in your planner, wherever it may be, schedule time off from work and social activities. You deserve to spend some time making sure your own cup is filled.
This time is for YOU, so use it however you like. Whether it’s taking the time for an elaborate skincare routine, going for a walk while listening to your favourite podcast, making yourself a white chocolate mocha and curling up with a good book, or going for an early morning swim before heading off to work or to do errands – this time is your December gift to yourself.
4: Make time for friends and family.
Of course, December is also an important time to remember how much you love your friends and family members and spend some quality time together.
But with big and often crowded events such as Christmas dinners and New Year celebrations, it can feel like there is not much time to foster more personal connections and spend some time one-on-one or in smaller groups.
So why not take some time to meet a friend for coffee, go Christmas shopping with a loved one, take your significant other on a date or catch a movie with a family member? The holiday season is a perfect time to spend with loved ones. It’s my hope that this goal will push me towards that!
5: Enjoy the festive season.
Saving the most important December goal for last is to ENJOY this special month! Goals can be fun and all, but if you are not enjoying your life, and the most magical month of all, then what’s the point?
With December likely come memories and moments with friends and family. Allow yourself the grace to take a step back from your usual routine to fully enjoy this holiday season and all the sweet treats, cheesy movies, Christmas decorations and cosy books.
December is such a great month for food and drinks – and a perfect time to test out new recipes. Foodies will probably have a long list of recipes saved, from cheesy Christmas-tree pull apart bread, to pecan cookies, to charcuterie boards, to hearty stews and side dishes. Time to get cooking and – remember – practice makes perfect.
No worries if cooking is not your forte, there are still plenty of other ways to embrace the holiday spirit. Christmas means holiday movies galore – so why not make a list of your favourite holiday movies, stock up on your favourite snacks and aim to watch them all this month? No one can judge you for cosying up to those cheesy Hallmark movies this month.
Speaking of getting cosy, December is an amazing time to binge-watch a TV show or race through that book you’ve been wanting to read. There is something about the cosy vibes in December that make it feel like the perfect time to hunker in and lose yourself in a good book or show.
