How to Plan the Perfect December
Are you ready to plan the perfect December?
This post will walk you through how to create a holiday you’ll love, and there’s a free printable workbook to help you stay organized!
You can probably already feel it - the hustle and bustle that comes with every holiday season. I start feeling those vibes in early November, and every year I start planning early to create less stress during the holiday season.
You can grab a copy of the free printable workbook here, it includes 13 pages to help you set intentions and stick with them!
Step 1: Find what feels good
One of the most important elements of planning a perfect December is being intentional about how you want to feel. Ideal is different for everyone - and you holiday definitely won’t be perfect if you’re following someone else’s formula.
Here’s a few of the emotions my clients aim for during the holidays:
connected
rested
joyful
empowered
excited
organized
cheerful
relaxed
Did anything speak to you on that list? Get clear on the emotion you want to spark this holiday season, and then take action from there. If we try and do it the other way (take a bunch of actions and hope for an emotion) - we almost always end up disappointed!
Step 2: Rely on your plan, not your feelings
If we try and create a plan from our feelings or emotions - we will always be inconsistent.
This is because our feelings go up and down (which is normal!), and as a result our motivation will go up and down too. You might find yourself trying to muster the energy to get something done - but this superficial build up actually wastes your energy (and time!) in the long run.
If you commit to a plan, whether it’s around shopping for gifts, decorating your home or planning a holiday meal - try to keep your plan separate from your emotions. Make sure you set realistic expectations on your time and energy levels, and do your best be strategic about grouping together similar tasks and errands to save time.
You can use the monthly printable sheets, as well as the daily printable sheets in the free December Planner by grabbing your copy here.
Step 3: Create boundaries
A huge factor during the holidays is the interactions you have with other people. During this time of year there are increased demands on your time and emotional energy, and it can be draining. Do your best to set boundaries on how you plan to spend your time this holiday season and stick to them. If you struggle with setting boundaries - try and give yourself a little grace. Instead of instantly agreeing to take on another charity project, host a family gathering or pick something up for a friend - think about it first. A simple “oh can I check my schedule and get back to you” can buy you time to consider if this is really something you want and need to do.
Another way to set boundaries softly is to opt out for just this year. Instead of saying “no” forever - ask for family and friends to let you opt out for “this year, and keep me on the list for the future”. It’s a great way to start setting those boundaries without drawing hard lines.
Step 4: Create your version of Perfect
Everyone’s ideal holiday is going to be different, and your version of perfect is probably very different from that of your friends and family. Spend some time in late November thinking about what you’d like to see this holiday season, and start creating your vision from there.
Don’t feel pressured to go along with what everyone else is doing - in fact it might just take one voice saying “not this year thanks!” to break a tradition that’s not being enjoyed by many.
Once you find clarity on the emotion you’re trying to create this year, create a strategic plan to tackle your to-dos and set strong boundaries, you’ll have no problem creating your version of a perfect December!
I hope you’ve found this post helpful and you have a wonderful holiday season!
You can grab that free December Planner, with 13 printable pages to help you stay organized HERE.
xx
Justine
