How to Protect Your Mental Health at Christmas (for Moms)

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Practical Rhythms and Mindset Shifts for Moms who Want to Enjoy the Holiday Season Without the Burnout

The Holiday Mental Load: A Mom’s Story

Every year as soon as October ends and the scarecrows and pumpkins are put away, I feel that familiar mix of excitement and pressure rising in my chest. Christmas is my favourite holiday. I love the music, the lights and decorations, the smell of Christmas baking, the cheesy Hallmark movies (yep, they’ve definitely grown on me over the years! Is this a sign I’m over 30?!), and the way my kids’ eyes just light up when they see the tree. But if I’m honest, the mental load of Christmas has nearly swallowed me whole more than once, especially when I was in the thick of postpartum depression.

Moms carry so much of it… the gift lists, the shopping, the meals, the decorating, the memories. Sometimes I thrive on it, and sometimes I feel like I’m one to-do list away from tears. And I know I’m not the only one.

If you’ve ever sat in the middle of wrapping paper and Amazon boxes wondering if you’ve done enough (or too much), you’re in good company. The truth is, the magic of Christmas with little ones only lasts a handful of years. We don’t want to spend those years in survival mode. We want to live them with presence, peace, and intentional joy.

That’s why I’ve learned that the first step to maintaining my mental health at Christmas is preparing early, then staying anchored in what really matters.

Read more below to see how and why this can not only get you through the holidays, but actually enjoy them!

Step One: Lay a Strong Foundation

I am a procrastinator at heart, and as a mom recently diagnosed with ADHD, this is always the one I struggled with the most. But it’s arguably the most important one to remember.

Before the holiday rush consumes you, take time to set the ground rules. These simple decisions will keep you from spiralling into chaos later:

• Budgets and gift lists. Decide early who you’re buying for. Just the kids? Grandparents too? And set realistic amounts. Small kids don’t need hundreds of dollars spent to feel loved. We spent hundreds on my second son’s first Christmas, and he was happier with a $2 bag of candy than any of his gifts.
  
• Where you’re celebrating. Will you host Christmas dinner or travel? Plan now so you aren’t scrambling last minute.
  
• Keep it simple. Ask yourself, “What would actually bless my family?” Sometimes it’s not more gifts, but more rest and more memories. Read my post about how to have a 90’s Christmas here!

• Share the mental load. Not to state the obvious, but so much of the mental load falls on moms during the holiday season (do our husbands even know who we are buying for or who’s coming over for dinner?). And, I say this gently because I’m talking to myself too… It’s not entirely their fault. We need to do better at speaking up and sharing the mental load! You’d be surprised at how much lighter you feel by just sharing your plans and having a sounding board instead of just internalizing it and letting it stew.

When you get the foundation right, the rest of the season has more breathing room (and you can actually stop and mell your holiday scented essential oils or the gingerbread baking in the oven!

Step Two: Avoid the Noise

Social media, ads, and endless gift guides are not your friend. Remember, most gift guides exist to earn someone else money, not to serve you. I can’t tell you how many times I saw something online that I just “had to get” for my one-year-old… only for him to prefer a $2 bag of candy.

Simple is better. Your kids will remember the cozy atmosphere, not the trending toy.

I can tell you, what I remember most about Christmas growing up is the traditions, the opening of gifts, the Christmas morning brunches, and the beautiful decorations in our home. I couldn’t tell you any of the gifts I got.

And this tip just isn’t for the holidays. If this clicks with you, you might also love my post on staying away from social media for your mental health.

Step Three: Create Your Own Holiday Glow

Instead of scrolling, lean into what actually fills your home with Christmas glow:

• Cheesy Christmas movies and Christmas music classics (Frank Sinatra’s album always sets the Christmas mood in our home — check out the Spotify links here)
• Caramel popcorn on the couch (a personal favourite! Don’t tell my dentist)
• Homemade decorations (see my Salt Dough recipe here, this is such a classic!), simple twinkle lights, or homemade Christmas crafts (see 10+ Christmas crafts I rounded up here!)
• Baking with your kids (even if the kitchen ends up a disaster… which it will)

Step Four: Actually Nourish Your Body and Spirit

Christmas is busy, so ground yourself with calming practices:

• Essential oils in the diffuser (I love this Holiday scented one from Canadian brand The Olfactory Shop) — read this blog post here about making your home smell like the holidays naturally.
• Prayer or quiet moments of meditation or just deep breathing
• Go for a walk even if it’s cold out

And don’t forget your wellness basics like hydration, vitamin D (so key for us Canadian moms), and good sleep when you can grab it. Seeing family and friends often means someone ends up with the sniffles, so definitely make sure to boost your immunity naturally.

You may also enjoy my post on vitamin D for moms in fall and winter for discount codes!

Step Five: Keep the Christmas Season Intentional

Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. In fact, it shouldn’t be. This year, I want to encourage you (and myself) to:

• Choose presence over perfection
• Simplify whenever possible
• Lean on rhythms that bring peace, not pressure
• Protect your mental health like it’s part of your gift to your family (because it is!)

Your Gentle Christmas Reminder

And if you’re longing for more ideas and encouragement on intentional motherhood, homemaking, and wellness in Canada, subscribe to Let’s Glow. You’ll receive exclusive discount codes, blog updates, and practical wellness tips straight to your inbox, just for busy moms like us.