If you’re like me and normally the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is generally a hazy blur of sweatpants, cheese platters, cat naps, and wondering what day it is…..welcome to the club. This week is so precious and I’ve tried to shift how I spend it–in a delicate balance between rest and rejuvenation and finding easy ways to get ahead in the new year. I really just don’t want my hard-earned free time go to waste! I’ve jotted down eight activities that you can try to incorporate during this period away from work.
Here are some of the best things you can do to make the most of the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
Since so many people are off work the week between Christmas and NYE, this can be a great time to schedule those long overdue coffee dates, happy hours, and everything else you wish you had time for during the rest of the year. I love using this period as a chance to catch up with long-distance loved ones, too. Text your old college roommate, or take some time to finally call your great aunt as you take your dog for a walk. As a bonus: If you happen to be spending this period of time alone, chatting with loved ones will help you feel a bit more connected to those who care about you.
Tackle a (small) organization project.
New year, new ultra-organized me, am I right? Maybe not 100% of the time, but I do find that taking on an organizing project during my time off (even if it’s a tiny one) always makes me feel productive and ready to start the new year on the right foot. Start extra small if you have to–my junk drawer in the kitchen was the first thing I tackled! Determine one way that you can streamline your life before January rolls around…….Maybe that means finally sorting through your pantry (tossing all those expired soup cans out!) or doing a closet refresh and taking unwanted clothing to a donation center. Or donating all those vintage magazines collecting dust in your hallway closet–trust me, you’ll feel much better after setting aside just an hour or two to get organized ahead of the new year!
Shop post-holiday sales.
My holiday gift cards burn a literal hole in my wallet. I love shopping post-Christmas sales to grab items I didn’t get off my Christmas “Wish” List. The day after Christmas, for example, is a great time to head to Target and grab heavily discounted holiday decor to tuck away for next year (grab your mama and sister or your cousins and make it a new tradition). Maybe online shopping is more your speed (who doesn’t love shopping in their jammies at home??), which makes things even easier. Change into your comfiest clothes and spend a cozy morning scouring the internet for the best deals of the year. I tend to try to find sales on items I’ll use throughout the year: makeup and skincare products, bedding, travel gear, and pet supplies.
Get closer to that yearly reading goal.
Dear lord do I love to plow through my TBR list during this week. Whether you aimed to finish 10 different books or you’re on your way to 100, there’s no time like the week between Christmas and New Year’s cozy up with a good book. Bonus: Once you’re done with that last book, make a list of your top reads of 2023 and share them with fellow book-loving friends. My favorites of 2023? The Beartown series by Fredrik Backman. Go read it. You’ll be obsessed.
After weeks of holiday treats, you might be feeling a little “fluffy”. I know after the holidays I’m normally craving something light and healthy–after weeks of indulging in heavy, creamy, delicious treats. Why not use your free time to try out a new healthy recipe that you can incorporate into your routine the rest of the year? One of my favorite places to source new recipes is Pinterest—I like to save a few meal ideas that look good and then pull them up while at the grocery store to make sure I don’t miss any of the necessary ingredients.
Play tourist in your own city.
How often do you get to stroll around your city on a weekday? Take advantage of your time off work and book tickets to a theater matinee, check out that new exhibit at the museum, or simply admire all the holiday lights one more time before they come down. Even if traveling is off the table during your break from work, pretend to be a tourist in your own city by indulging in activities that you wouldn’t normally do on a weekday. Living in San Antonio, for example, I’d love to spend a slow December morning checking out the McNay Art Museum followed by a delish weekday brunch at the Pearl and maybe check out the lights on the Riverwalk.
Send thank you cards.
I’m a sucker for a hand written note. And what better (or sweeter) way to spend some time than sending out handwritten thank you cards for the gifts you received this holiday season? Buy a few beautiful cards, practice your best hand lettering skills, and send a few notes of appreciation out to the people in your life.
Binge-watch a show.
Who says that every moment of your time off needs to be productive? It certainly doesn’t—maybe all you want to do after a stressful year at work is simply lay back and veg out. Pick one of the new amazing shows (our pics are The Night Agent, The Witcher, Foundation & The Silo) or you can revisit a cherished favorite. If the weather outside is particularly yucky, even better! You officially have plenty to do while cooped up indoors.
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