Between Christmas baking disasters and holiday party hangovers, a gal’s Christmas spirit may need rejuvenation by mid-December. If you’re a Type A (i.e. you had the Christmas tree decorated by Thanksgiving and gift shopping done by December 1) you may be in need of a holiday spirit recharge before Christmas Eve. Gift yourself with the following indulgences—you deserve it!—and you’ll be merrier than ever come Christmas.
Blowout
Transform your holiday-stressed hair into glamorous locks at a luxury blow dry bar. Professionally styled, tousled waves or lustrous loose curls will have you looking and feeling refreshed, which is way better than the ghastly Grinch-esque look you’ve been sporting. Then, plan a night out to show off your fab tresses and have fun with your girlfriends.
Mac ‘N Cheese
Carbs are the ultimate cure-all, so warm your soul with homemade macaroni and cheese. The cheesy and creamy comfort food will please the palate and treat the taste buds unlike any other fare. Recipes like Beer Mac and Cheese and BLT Mac and Cheese put a unique twist on this classic dish.
Candy Cane Cocktail
Holiday overload may leave you not wanting to see a peppermint stick ever again. But peppermint can actually quell tension headaches and ease anxiety. Sip peppermint tea
, apply peppermint oil
or unwind with a candy cane cocktail made with strawberry vodka and white creme de menthe.
Chocolate
Chocolate is candy’s mood-boosting superfood full of health-enhancing qualities. In moderation, chocolate can reduce stress and stimulate the release of endorphins. Do you know what that means? You can indulge guilt-free in chocolatey sweets like Chocolate Dip Delights Christmas Cake Pops
and Jolly Holiday Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
Mani & Pedi
Pamper yourself with an at-home spa day starting with a salt-water bath and lavender candle
. Then, play your favorite Christmas tunes as you paint your nails in cranberry red or frosty blue. Just imagine how your nails will shine under the glow of your Christmas tree lights.
DIY Home Project
Break away from the holiday shopping crowds and responsibilities to focus on a creative project for the new year. Create colorful wall decor with a custom spoon-painted masterpiece inspired by Mr. Kate. Mr. Kate also offers a step-by-step tutorial for creating framed glitter and making a one-of-a-kind metallic statement.
Fitness Gear
December can be the most gluttonous month of the year, weakening your commitment to the gym. Revive your workout motivation with a new tank, sports bra or water bottle
. Getting the heart pumping and sweating it out is one of the best ways to relieve stress and improve your mood.
Gratitude
Thanksgiving’s passed, but practicing thankfulness can improve your psychological well-being any time of year. If you need a happiness boost during the holiday season, download the free gratitude app Thankfulfor. Make a short gratitude note with a tap of the screen or view the public Thankfulfor stream for a lift in positivity.
Lazy Day
Spend a weekend day or, if you still have some vacation days left, take a day of mental reprieve—aka: a day of PJs and broken rules. Sleep in late and take three naps. Eat a cupcake for breakfast and drink wine for lunch. Turn on a bad reality TV marathon and binge on Pinterest. Most importantly, avoid the clocks; time isn’t a concern on lazy days.
Reflections & Resolutions
Take time to reflect on this year’s accomplishments and memories; even if you didn’t accomplish as much as you expected to, be happy about what you did do. Then, make a list of your goals for the new year. This doesn’t have to mean promising to hit the gym four times a week; you can set goals for personal growth like reading one new book every month or taking a cooking class. Whether you share the joys and plans with a friend over coffee or write them down in a journal
, reflecting on good times while looking toward the future warms the heart and calms the mind.
Courtesy of Social Monsters.org
