It’s beginning to look a lot like… chaos, right? The lists are growing, the invites are rolling in, and the mental load? Let’s just say it’s heavier than the Christmas pudding. As much as I love this season — the lights, the laughter, the sparkle — I know how easy it is for joy to get buried under expectations. Every year, I catch myself trying to create a “perfect” December — the magical kind I imagined before motherhood. But somehow, between kindy concerts, gift lists, and the constant hum of don’t forget this, I end up feeling more depleted than delighted. This year, I’m done chasing perfect. I’m choosing presence. Because Christmas wellbeing for mamas isn’t about squeezing in more self-care; it’s about lowering the pressure and giving yourself permission to just be.
The Weight of the Mental Load (and Why It Feels Heavier at Christmas)
If it feels like the end of the year doubles your to-do list, that’s because it does. The “invisible work” we carry — the remembering, organising, preparing, smoothing-over — suddenly multiplies. It’s not just the presents or the food; it’s the holding it all together for everyone else. As an early childhood educator, I’ve seen how overstimulation affects children — too many lights, too much noise, too many changes. The same thing happens to us. Our brains crave rhythm, not rush. When there’s no pause between tasks, our calm system never gets the memo that it’s safe to rest. That’s why this year, I’m taking a teacher’s approach to Christmas: creating small, predictable moments that build calm before the chaos hits. It’s something I’ve learned from years of helping children self-regulate — when we model calm, we teach it. When we breathe slower, they do too. That gentle preparation is what I leaned into in How to Cope When Life Speeds Up, because when we find calm early, it ripples through the whole family.
The Heart of Christmas Wellbeing for Mamas
Before we dive into what helps, take a moment to notice where you are right now. Maybe you’re holding a cup of tea that’s already gone cold, or mentally juggling the week ahead while trying to enjoy a few quiet minutes. This is the reality for so many of us in December — the constant pull between wanting to make things magical and simply wanting to rest. The truth is, we don’t need to do more to make this season meaningful; we just need to feel more of it. That’s what Christmas wellbeing for mamas is really about — finding presence in the middle of the noise, not waiting for the quiet to finally arrive.
1. Start With “Good Enough”
This is your reminder that “good enough” is more than enough. The gifts don’t have to be perfect. The wrapping paper can be wrinkled. The tree can lean a little. Children don’t remember perfect — they remember presence. When you lower the pressure, you make space for joy to sneak back in. Last year, I let go of trying to decorate the tree by myself. Instead, I handed over the reins to my little one, even if every bauble ended up on one side. It wasn’t Pinterest-worthy, but it was perfectly us. It reminded me of something I touched on in How Christmas Changed After Kids — that the magic looks different now. It’s messier, louder, but it’s real. And that’s what matters.
2. Create Calm Before the Chaos
Before December hits, set up a few small rituals that keep you grounded — a morning tea in silence, a slow walk after dinner, or five deep breaths before opening your inbox. These moments train your brain to find calm, even when the world gets louder. It’s the same principle I use in the classroom: we don’t wait for overstimulation to teach calm; we build it first. The more consistent the rhythm, the easier it is to return to it when life speeds up. Think of it like setting the “prepared environment” in a Montessori space — when things around you feel intentional, your mind follows. Our bodies often show the stress before our minds catch up. I see it with children all the time — a fidget, a sigh, a sudden burst of energy — all little cues that regulation is slipping. It’s the same for us. When the pressure builds, move your body before your mind spirals. Step outside, stretch, breathe deeply, or turn on a song that shifts the energy. Sometimes calm isn’t still — it’s movement, and it’s one of the simplest ways to nurture Christmas wellbeing for mamas.
And if you ever need to pause completely, a light-hearted reset can help too. I find comfort in Christmas rom-coms that lift my wellbeing — those small, feel-good escapes remind me that rest doesn’t always mean silence; sometimes, it’s laughter with twinkling lights in the background.
3. Redefine What Matters
When the pressure builds, ask yourself: What really matters to us this year? Maybe it’s baking cookies together, or skipping the late-night wrapping for an early bedtime. Choose one or two things that make Christmas feel magical for your family — and let go of the rest. Sometimes wellbeing is less about doing and more about deciding. When you consciously choose less, you make room for meaning. That same mindset carries through The Magic of the In-Between Days — the reminder that calm and connection don’t just belong between Christmas and New Year; they can be part of the whole season if we allow them to. And let’s be honest — sometimes it’s not just the tasks, it’s the people. The emotional load can be just as heavy as the mental one. Setting small boundaries — leaving early, saying no kindly, or letting someone else host this year — isn’t selfish; it’s self-respect. Protecting your peace is an act of emotional wellbeing, one that quietly teaches your children that joy doesn’t have to mean exhaustion.
4. Give Yourself the Gift of Grace
If things don’t go to plan — and they won’t — give yourself grace. Burned cookies, last-minute gifts, or skipped traditions don’t define the season. Your presence does. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and your calm will always be the best gift your family receives. So when you catch yourself thinking, I should be doing more, replace it with, I’m doing my best — and that’s enough. It’s that mindset shift I explore in How to Enjoy Christmas with Kids Without Going Crazy — because presence, not perfection, is what turns chaos into connection.
A Calm Christmas Mindset
In early learning, we talk a lot about co-regulation — the idea that children borrow our calm. The same applies at home. When we breathe slower, they soften too. When we let go, they follow. So, if the Christmas rush starts to take over, let your calm set the tone. You don’t have to fix every meltdown or manage every mood. Sometimes, sitting together in the stillness — even for a minute — does more than any activity could. That quiet, grounded energy is what makes the season memorable — and it’s what This December, You Come First was created for: to help you protect that peace and feel more like yourself, even when life gets loud. Inside, you’ll find simple tools that gently guide you back to calm — from reflection pages that help you reset after long days to prompts that remind you to focus on what really matters. One of my favourite parts is the “Let It Go” list — a page designed to release all the unnecessary expectations that weigh us down. It’s a small but powerful way to reclaim your energy and create space for what truly feels good this season.
A Reminder for the Season Ahead
Before the Christmas noise takes over, take a moment for yourself. Breathe. Notice what you’ve already done. You’re showing up, loving deeply, and creating more magic than you think. If you could choose three words for how you want this Christmas to feel, what would they be? Calm? Joyful? Unhurried? Write them down and keep them close. They’ll guide your choices when the noise creeps back in — a simple reflection that supports your Christmas wellbeing for mamas when life starts to rush. Lowering the pressure isn’t selfish — it’s sustainable. Because when you protect your peace, you create space for everyone else to slow down too.
Little Wellbeing Rituals for Mamas This December:
- A nightly gratitude sip — your tea becomes a moment to reflect on one thing that felt good today.
- Light one candle each night through December to celebrate the small wins you’d usually overlook.
- Leave your phone in another room during bedtime stories — presence as peace.
So, light that candle, make that cup of tea, and remind yourself that you matter in the season you give so much.
Because true Christmas wellbeing for mamas starts with one decision: to choose presence over perfection — and to finally let that be enough.
Lower the pressure, protect your peace, and let presence be enough — that’s what Christmas wellbeing for mamas is all about.
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