I’m going to go out on a limb here to say that, when it comes to the holidays, you’re often thinking about others—not yourself. There are the gifts to buy, the goodies to bake, and the lengths we go to make our homes a comforting, hygge-ified haven. Of course, these things mark many of the season’s joys, and there’s nothing better than reminding our favorite people that they are cherished and loved. But amidst all the cheer, it’s important to step back, be present, and offer yourself the gift of holiday self-care.
During a time of year that’s packed with so much, it can be difficult to carve out downtime for ourselves and those we love. But in an effort to weave intention into the holiday experience, we’re all about slowing down and finding calm amidst the (cheerful) chaos. Not sure how to make that happen? You’re in luck—we have the ideas, inspiration, and outfits you need to get comfy and indulge in a little holiday self care.
Finding Your Holiday Self Care Style
We teamed up with our friends at Haven Well Within to help you slow down, savor the season, and connect with those all-important quality moments. And because creating space in your busy schedule can feel impossible, we had fun doing the hard work for you. We’re sharing ideas for a festive and cozy night in—perfect for however you picture the ideal evening spent at home.
Whether you’re a Gift Wrapping Goddess, a Holiday Movie Maven, or a Christmas Cookie Culinista, we have what you need to craft a cozy outfit, set a festive scene, and create the perfect night-in vibe. Scroll on to find out which holiday self care style fits you best—and how to embrace the space we love spending the holidays most: in our comfy, candle-lit homes.
Gift Wrapping Goddess
The Gift Wrapping Goddess is an aesthete through and through. You were Martha Stewart for Halloween, you bought all of your Christmas gifts before the summer was through, and you still subscribe to magazines for the best ideas to bring a little DIY spirit home.
You might be a Gift Wrapping Goddess if…
- Pinterest is your social media platform of choice
- You stash stationary and love sending handwritten cards
- Your craft drawer is overflowing with DIY supplies
Sound like you? Keep reading for ideas to design your perfect holiday night in.
The outfit
You have 10+ packages to wrap up—i.e., you’re on a mission while still wanting to look cute. (After all, this is a prime-time opportunity for a little holiday content capture.) But if you’re boxing things up while sitting next to a roaring fire, layers are key. A cashmere henley keeps things soft and chic on top while silk sleep shorts keep you cool. To top it off, cashmere socks and a scrunchie worn on your wrist equal a two-for-one sartorial power play.
The soundtrack
The heyday of hipsters may have left the limelight last decade, but their music tastes still hold strong. This Hipster Holiday Mix is full of favorites from the 2010s—Band of Horses, Sufjan Stevens, and Andrew Bird—that show off their alternative takes on holiday classics. The vibes are quirky but chill, and as the tastemaker that you are, you’ll love it when friends applaud your holiday music picks.
The supplies
Is there anything better than snuggling up and wrapping gifts for loved ones? For wrapping paper, try infusing your gifts with a little color, while still keeping a classic vibe. This paper blends a winter wonderland motif with a rainbow of hues, and it pairs perfectly with this statement velvet ribbon.
Of course, you’ll also want a few stylish vessels for serving up snacks. The Casa Zuma Gathering Board is the perfect way to plate sweet and savory goodies. Or, if muddy buddies or a holiday popcorn mix is more your speed, these wooden salad bowls can be used for more than simply getting your greens.
The recipes
Speaking of snacks, you’ll want to be sure to have a few options for satisfying your sweet tooth and refueling after wrapping your mountain of gifts. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Bars are the ideal in-between if you’re craving that classic pie flavor but don’t want to do the work of making a homemade crust. Or, serve this Smokey Eggplant Dip alongside chewy pita, naan, or crackers for dipping.
Holiday Movie Maven
While ice skating, holiday window shopping, and heading to the Christmas markets are all wonderful and festive ways to spend a winter weekend, sometimes, staying indoors with nothing but the best holiday movies in front of you is just what you need. If that sounds like holiday self care to you, look no further than this list of our favorites—both classics and recent releases. Gather up your gal pals, friend group, or family—or enjoy this perfect evening all to yourself.
You might be a Holiday Movie Maven if…
- You always watch every Oscar nominee before the awards are handed out
- You get into heated debates about which How the Grinch Stole Christmas was better
- You can’t stop talking about Lindsay Lohan’s rom-com renaissance
Here’s how to make your dream holiday movie marathon happen.
The outfit
Whether you’re spending your movie marathon on the couch or in bed, this holiday self care night epitomizes coziness. With that being said, we love an athleisure moment and this matching set delivers. The tortoise shell hue is perfectly on point for the holidays and the cashmere cardigan is the ideal textured topper. All that’s left is to add an on-trend pair of slides that—and I don’t use this word lightly—literally feel like you’re walking on a cloud.
Cashmere Shaker Stitch Cardigan
The soundtrack
If you love a good holiday movie, chances are, you also can’t get enough of a classic Christmas soundtrack. (And I have to bet that you’ve been playing A Charlie Brown Christmas since November 1.) To get you into the mood to watch everything from Elf to Home Alone to The Polar Express this soundtrack of all the best Christmas movie soundtracks should do the trick. And don’t worry, the Vince Guaraldi Trio makes more than a few appearances.
The supplies
It’s inevitable: to truly enjoy a movie marathon, you have to be comfortable. And not just kinda comfortable—I’m talking snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug levels of coziness. When that’s the case, only cashmere and your favorite candle will do. Both are the ultimate luxuries for the ultimate indulgence: you + hours of holiday cinematic cheer.
And because no movie is complete without a snack, you’ll want to be prepared with a bowl that’ll do the heavy lifting. This retro, nutcracker-inspired bowl delivers just the right amount of holiday cheer. Don’t forget the warm beverages either—I can’t recommend this collection of ceramic mugs enough.
The recipes
As I said, hot chocolate is the name of the game when it comes to doing movie night right. And no recipe beats this peppermint version. With or without the booze, it captures the quintessential holiday flavor with peppermint extract and Dutch process cocoa. And if you’re enjoying your movie marathon with friends or family, it couldn’t hurt to go all out with a hot chocolate board. Just sayin’.
Christmas Cookie Culinista
You’ve been scouring all the best holiday cookie recipes since the summer and planning all the details of your cookie swap to a tee. Oh, and gingerbread house décor is a competition—one that you always win.
You might be a Christmas Cookie Culinista if…
- You keep dough in the freezer for fresh cookies on a whim
- Your bookshelves are filled with more cookbooks than novels
- Ina Garten feels like your surrogate grandmother
Yes, yes, and yes? Here’s how to have the Christmas cookie baking sesh of your dreams.
The outfit
Let’s be real—cookie baking is your main priority, so you’re probably thinking more about how to accessorize your dough than your outfit. But the good news is that you can still look cute and cozy while keeping the attention on your prized baked goods. With a luxe material like cashmere, even your comfiest outfits can be Instagram-approved. Give your go-to hoodie-and-leggings combo an upgrade with cashmere’s softer than soft perfection. You and your confectionary creations are worth the indulgence.
The soundtrack
You’ll depart from the classics and play something that feels more holiday-adjacent. The perfect mix of tunes? Every song from Nancy Meyers’ oeuvre, of course. This playlist, aptly titled Nancy Meyers’ kitchen, immediately transports you to Meryl Streep’s French bakery in It’s Complicated or Kate Winslet’s cozy English cottage in The Holiday. Wherever this soundtrack drops you off, it’ll delight any holiday baker.
The supplies
Baking pans, bowls, and measuring cups—oh my! We know there are lots to choose from, but we’ve made selecting the best simple. These non-stick, half-sheet baking pans promise easy clean-up and even baking. And this set of measuring cups is a minimalist baker’s ideal set. Oh, and as for bowls—I don’t think I’ve ever found anything more stylish than these.
The recipes
No one loves holiday cookie baking as much as we do. That’s why we scoured the internet for the best recipes. 32 tried-and-true cookie recipes, comin’ atcha. You’re welcome.
Which holiday night-in persona are you? Let us know in the comments!
