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how to bring back the magic + whimsy of the holiday season as an adult
If you’re shocked that it’s already November, Christmas is creeping up, and you’re… not feeling anything? No excitement, no anticipation, no magic? This episode is for you.
Today, we’re talking about why Christmas doesn’t feel the same anymore and what you can intentionally do to bring back that whimsical, cozy, magical feeling — even with real-life responsibilities, zero free time, and no one curating the season for you like when you were a kid.
Listen to the full episode here:
🌟 why christmas feels different as an adult
Christmas changes when we grow up. No one is setting the tone for us, planning traditions, or sprinkling magic into every part of the season. We’re tired, overstimulated, and busy. We scroll more than we participate. And we don’t realize how much our childhood magic came from the adults who were doing the behind-the-scenes work.
You’re not imagining it — it is different. But that doesn’t mean it can’t still be magical.
intentionality is everything
We can’t wait around for Christmas to “feel” magical. As adults, we create the magic now.
Not in a perfect, aesthetic, Instagram-ready way — but through small moments of intention:
a cozy nighttime ritual
a Christmas playlist
lighting candles at 4pm when it gets dark
choosing traditions we actually want
slowing down and making a plan
The magic comes from participating in the season, not just observing it.
the curriculum mindset
One of my favorite ways to think about the season:
treat December the way your elementary school teachers did.
They created a “holiday curriculum” — storybooks, crafts, seasonal activities woven into everyday life. Christmas wasn’t a one-day event; it was a month-long rhythm.
As adults, we can do this too in our own small way:
weave tiny traditions into your normal schedule
choose a December book or movie tradition
sprinkle Christmas into your routines
make a list of things that bring you joy
add small festive moments to your free time
Magic doesn’t require a whole day — it just needs intentional moments.
the power of traditions
Traditions are what create nostalgia. They give your brain anchors and warm, familiar rhythms.
Some ideas:
a Christmas movie you watch every year
a playlist that becomes your December soundtrack
a book you reread
the same breakfast on Christmas Eve or morning
decorating on the same weekend
sending cards, baking something, or doing one craft
You don’t need a huge list. One or two repeated traditions bring back that deep, rooted Christmas feeling.
participate in the holiday bustle
The internet stole a lot of the joy from the season because everything is online now. But you can recreate that magical “holiday chaos” feeling by actually showing up in it:
go to the mall
wander through stores with a coffee
wait in the busy post office line
browse gift ideas in person
admire the decorations and crowds
When you’re in the thick of the bustle — the lights, music, people, energy — you tap back into the Christmas feeling we had as kids.
create cozy analog moments
The digital world drains the magic. Analog moments bring it back.
Try:
writing Christmas cards
doing a DIY decoration
reading by the tree
wrapping gifts slowly
knitting, baking, or crafting
turning on only lamps + twinkle lights
listening to Christmas playlists
lighting candles at night
Cozy doesn’t require anything expensive — just intentional atmosphere.
decorate without the overwhelm
You don’t need to buy everything at once.
You can:
use what you already have
thrift decorations
add one or two things a year
shop sales in January
focus on lighting, not clutter
Little by little, you’ll build a collection that feels like your Christmas.
plan your season early
Christmas sneaks up on us when we don’t plan anything. Then suddenly it’s December 22 and we’re confused why it “doesn’t feel like Christmas.”
You don’t need a color-coded calendar — just a few intentional plans:
a bucket list on the fridge
a few specific dates to do fun activities
a loose idea of the traditions you want
time set aside for cozy evenings
If you don’t plan even a little, the season will pass you by.
your reminder
If Christmas hasn’t felt magical:
✨ you’re not doing anything wrong ✨ the magic didn’t disappear — it just changed ✨ you are allowed to create your own magic now ✨ you don’t need perfection ✨ small cozy moments matter more than anything
Be intentional. Slow down. Participate in the season. You’re allowed to make Christmas whimsical again — in a way that fits your real, imperfect, beautiful life.
New this year! I’ve been working on curated gift guides for everyone on your list—featuring finds from Amazon Canada and my Shop My collections. Perfect for easy, cozy, stress-free holiday shopping.
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to do your Christmas shopping but continually getting that notification to “switch country?” IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW! This year I have put together a massive master list of gift ideas all from Amazon Canada, so you don’t have to worry about shipping or extra custom costs. Whether […]
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