The last few years have felt disproportionally hard – so Capsule, with the help of our pals at Shark and Ninja, are here to figure out how to make life easier, without breaking the bank, as well as diving deeper into WHY we do what we do, the struggles we all collectively face and all that’s glorious and good about being a mana wahine!
This month, we’re all about preparing for the absolute CHAOS the silly season brings with it – here’s our cheat sheet for how to mentally and physically prepare for the Christmas and holiday season!
Ok team, we know we know we don’t understand how the hell we’re in November anyway, and odds are your brain, which is always ridiculously overloaded with the usual mental load BEFORE you get to Christmas shopping lists, family BBQ’s and summer holiday packing, is literally at WTF mode.
Sure, it’s the season of relaxing, unwinding and reconnecting but let’s be freaking honest here, before you get to the good stuff, there’s a hell of a lot that needs to be done. So, here’s our pre-holidays hack sheet of useful shit you can do right now to get you in the best possible position for the inevitable silliness of the silly season – our guide to how you can mentally and physically prepare for the holidays so you can truly enjoy it with minimal stress!
1. Set Your Silly Season Intentions (Don’t Eye Roll Us!)
Before diving into the holiday frenzy, it’s essential to get clear on your intentions for the season. This time of the year can easily slip into a blur of shopping, cooking, and socialising, but with some thoughtful planning, it can be a time of genuine rest and joy.
- Reflect on what you want to focus on: Is it about creating space for family, enjoying the outdoors, or prioritising your health – OR simply enjoying the festive vibes? Know what you want your own outcome to be.
- Practice gratitude: Look we know we KNOW we harp on about this but honestly, even for a non woo-wooer like me, it makes all the difference to perspective. Take a moment to express thanks for the things you’ve already achieved this year—big or small. This practice of gratitude will set a positive tone and help you stay grounded through the busy weeks ahead and remind of your why, even when you’re waiting in a 45-minute line at the supermarket on Christmas Eve with a toddler just to buy that damn cream your significant other forgot to pick up on the way home.
2. Create Space for Downtime Amongst All the Flappiness
Yes, Christmas is about fun and connection, but it’s also a time to recharge. The mental and physical demands of the season can wear you out, so it’s important to carve out moments of rest.
- Block out ‘me-time’: It can be easy to overcommit to events and all of the ‘stuff’ that magically appears in your diary – Alice in particular has a REAL bugbear about the whole ‘let’s catch up before Christmas!’ thing, and fair enough – but it’s essential to have downtime. Whether it’s a quiet morning with a coffee or an afternoon in the garden, schedule moments of stillness.
- Avoid the ‘hustle’ mentality: Embrace the slow moments—whether that’s a slow walk along the beach or a relaxed evening with no plans. This season is as much about rest as it is about celebration.
- Say no when you need to: Yes this is bloody hard, but be mindful of your energy levels and don’t be afraid to turn down an invite if it’s too much – you are only one person! Boundaries, kids. And when you are out, quiet your mind by focusing on quality, not quantity. Instead of feeling the pressure to talk to everyone, try to connect more deeply with a few people.
3. Prepare Your Home for the Inevitable Socialising
If you’re anything like me (type-A eldest daughter, so read: an actual nightmare) my house needs to be, at all times, organised and clean (made much easier by the fact I am both child and pet free of course). But my brain is so much calmer when I know I am prepared – a Sunday afternoon where the food shopping is done, the house is tidy and I have my shit sorted for the week ahead is literally my sacred time. So I transfer this (insane?) thought process to Christmas and the summer holidays by preparing as much as I can for as much as I can:
- Be prepared for guests by NOT serving them warm drinks: We tend to host a lot of impromptu gatherings at our place so I like to have hosting stuff ready to go. ALWAYS have a chilly bin and ice on hand (it’s amazing how many times we forget about chilly bins and I’m sorry, I like to think I’m a down to earth person but I DESERVE cold rosé). If you want the crème de la crème of chilly bins (what a sentence) then invest in a Ninja FrostVault. This has a dry zone – a tray where you can put stuff you don’t want soggy like meat, the sandwiches from the bakery and anything else not waterproof which, when you think about it, makes SO MUCH SENSE and is so much better to prevent contamination. It’ll be your bestie for BBQs, the beach and anything in between (keeping the office bubbles cold!?).
- Stock up on nibbles: I just don’t want the stress of not having something to offer people if they pop in so at this time of year I’ll do a nibbly bits run to Woolies – crackers, nuts, cheese that lasts in the fridge for a while, even one or two fancy dip thingies and a few bags of chips, as well as a couple of bottles of bubbles (doesn’t have to be fancy!).I mean be honest, you’ll eat it regardless….
- Have a few emergency presents on hand: Have you ever got to Christmas morning and realised, shit, you’ve forgotten about Aunty Tracey? Or you didn’t know that cousin Trent’s new boyfriend was coming and there’s nothing under the tree (I mean let’s be fair it’s on Trent, but it’s Christmas!). Have two or three misc presents on hand like boxes of Roses, scratchies or even homemade cookie mixes or spiced nuts. You’ll be smug and happy.
4. When You Can, Be Nice to Your Body
This is not a ‘enjoy the fresh, seasonal fruits and veges summer has to offer!’ bullet point. This is a ‘enjoy all the festive kai and drink you want because you bloody deserve it’ bullet point. But, if you’re just chilling at home, take the opportunity to eat something green and drink some water. Balance will come back, Christmas mince pies won’t.
5. Prioritise Sleep (Yes, Really)
With late nights and early mornings, the holiday season can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule. But sleep is the foundation for all the other things you’ll be juggling, so it’s essential to prioritise it.
Do the usual stuff – keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. A light misting of lavender essential oil or a soothing sleep playlist can also help signal your body to wind down, and try to stick to a routine so your body gets up at the same time for that good old circadian rhythm.
6. Plan and Organise (Without the Pressure)
A little bit of pre-Christmas organisation can go a long way in reducing stress, but don’t get too caught up in perfection. The goal is to feel PREPARED, not overwhelmed.
- Simplify your gift list: Opt for thoughtful, meaningful gifts that don’t require a lot of stress or financial strain. Homemade gifts, experiences, or a heartfelt handwritten card can mean so much more than something extravagant (and don’t worry, we have an all-budgets gift guide coming soon!). Remember that we’re all going through this cost of living crisis, so people understand if budgets are a little tighter this year because theirs probably is, too.
7. Embrace the Spirit of Giving in a Different Way
On that note, yes, giving is a big part of Christmas, but it doesn’t always have to mean expenny gifts. Focus on ways to give back that will bring a sense of purpose to your season:
- Volunteer your time: There are always community events, charity drives, and organisations that could use extra hands during the Christmas period. Consider volunteering your time to help those less fortunate – check out our pals at kindnesscollective.org.nz for ways you can help!
- Donate goods or funds: If you’re not able to volunteer, donate food, clothes, or money to a charity. Even small contributions can make a big difference.
- Spread kindness: Small acts of kindness—whether it’s paying for someone’s coffee or giving a compliment—can go a long way in making the season feel bright for everyone and giving someone a smile during the crazy days.
8. Embrace the Festive Vibes
Christmas music rules – as I’ve defended vigorously, Fairytale of New York will always be the best Christmas song ever written and I won’t hear otherwise – and there are SO many different vibes of Christmas playlists on Spotify – country Christmas, Christmas jazz, Kiwi Christmas, Christmas Dance Remix Mix (JAZZED). Then, go to Starbucks and order a Christmas coffee. Then, go to the bakery and get a mince pie. Buy the stupid novelty earrings. Embrace your tacky side with tinsel. It’s all part of it! And then when Xmas is over, do the same for summer!
9. Mind Your Mental Health
Being serious for a mo, holiday season can bring up a range of emotions, from joy to stress, and sometimes even sadness or loneliness. It’s important to prioritise your mental health during this time.
- Acknowledge your feelings: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, sad, or anxious, give yourself permission to feel those emotions without judgment.
- Reach out for support: If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to lean on your friends, family, or a professional. Talking things through can offer perspective and relieve stress.
- Practice mindfulness: Use meditation or mindfulness techniques to ground yourself during busy days. Even just five minutes of deep breathing can reduce anxiety and increase feelings of calm.
10. Reflect and Appreciate the Moment
Christmas is a time for joy and connection, and that means connecting with YOURSELF as much as with others. Take a moment to reflect on the year, appreciate the present, and be grateful for the moments you’ve shared with those around you.
- Create new traditions: Whether it’s a morning walk, a family game, or a ritual of sharing gratitude, make this Christmas season uniquely yours and give yourself something to look forward to next year.
- Be present: Set aside any worries about perfection and simply enjoy the people, the place, and the time you have.