Creating Unforgettable Holidays
Grace Under Garland
Every year, friends ask how I manage to enjoy the holidays and still get it all done. My honest answer: planning. A simple plan does the heavy lifting so you can focus on what actually matters.
I start early and map the details so little things don’t turn into big emergencies. (Yes, I’ve lost the scissors mid-wrap more times than I care to admit.) I rent what saves time, ask for help when it makes sense, and protect a few quiet moments so I don’t run out of steam. That rhythm—calm, prepared, and still full of joy—is what I call Grace Under Garland.
Let’s be honest, the holidays can feel like a marathon with twinkling lights. Calendars fill up, lists multiply, and somehow the oven timer always knows when you’ve sat down. That’s why a clear plan is my secret weapon. It keeps the chaos in check, saves time and money, and leaves space for joy.
I’m sharing my foolproof plan—the same checklist I use every year—to help you glide through the season with ease and intention.
Here’s to a season that feels joyful because you planned for it. Wishing you a little Grace Under Garland.
Pair it with my 2025 Gift List and Nice List tracker to save time and make your holiday shopping a breeze.
Plan your merry melodies and season’s screenings here.
First Half of December
December has a way of arriving fast, no matter how prepared we think we are. If you are on track, this stretch is
all about adding the sparkle, the finishing touches that make your home feel welcoming and festive. And if you
are running behind, simplify. Focus on what truly matters, skip what does not, and give yourself permission not
to go overboard. The goal is the same either way: less stress, more joy.
The holidays are full. Schedules stack up, obligations multiply, and it is easy to feel like you are racing from
one thing to the next. You may not be able to clear the calendar, but you can soften the edges. A simpler menu,
one less event, a table set the night before, a home that feels welcoming rather than perfect. These small choices
give you pockets of calm inside a busy season, which is often where the real memories are made.
Second Half of December
By now, most of the gifts are wrapped, the house feels festive, and the calendar is filling fast. This stretch of
December moves quickly, but it is also when the best moments happen, the ones that remind you why you
planned ahead in the first place. Take a breath, look around, and add the small touches that refine your
gatherings. Just as important, take time to enjoy what you have created.
The second half of December can feel full, even when you are organized. The invitations, the cooking, the
hosting, it all adds up. This is where your thoughtful planning makes a difference. A few intentional choices
keep things manageable: a simplified menu, a refreshed table, a drink ready to pour, a home that feels warm
rather than perfect. These moments of ease are what allow real connection to unfold. Step back, take it in, and
let yourself feel that sense of accomplishment. You have earned it.
Self Care Tip: Spend your time on social media following people who inspire, empower, and uplift you.