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5 Mindful Ways to Bring More Joy Into Your Christmas Season
Ever feel that little wave of dread when December rolls around?
Like, “Oh great… it’s here. The final lap before the new year — and I’m soooo not ready.”
Suddenly everything becomes a blur:
The Lists
The Gifts
The Budget
The School Events
The “Mom, I need this tomorrow” moments.
And if you have teens?
Ohhhh boy.
How do you even shop for kids who basically get what they want/need all year long?
And why are their wish lists so… expensive? But maybe that's because all things have gone up in price.
Then there's teen that have no idea what they want for Christmas.
Somewhere in the middle of all this, you start to wonder:
Where did the warm Christmas feels go?
Where’s the magic?
Where’s the joy?
Where’s the part of the season that used to feel peaceful and cozy and exciting?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot — like a lot — and I realized something:
The magic doesn’t disappear… we just get buried under everything we think we have to do.
So this year, I’m taking a different approach.
Not a full reset.
Not a “new year, new me” moment.
Just a softer December — one I can actually enjoy. And I’ve come up with five simple ways to bring the joy back into our Christmas season — not just for the little ones, but for us moms and our big kids too.
Let’s bring back the peace, the warmth, and the moments that actually matter.
1.
Create Tiny Presence Moments With Your Family
Even for teens
Your younger kids might still love hot cocoa nights and Christmas crafts…
but teens? They connect differently.
The magic is in micro-moments, not long activities.
Try these presence-building ideas:
For the whole family:
A 10-minute cocoa + conversation
Phones off during dinner
Christmas lights walk
A nightly “high moment, low moment, & grateful moment”
Play a game like Uno
Join your teen on a late-night snack run
Ask their opinion on gifts or Christmas plans
Let them help pick a movie night
Keep in mind that teens won’t always ask for connection, but they notice when you make time for them.
2 Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try
Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
2 cups whole milk (or your favorite milk alternative)
2 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
2 tbsp granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate (or chocolate chips)
1/4 tsp peppermint extract (I use dōTERRA's peppermint oil, learn more here)
Whipped cream (for topping and personally I do not use whipping cream from a can, remember to pay attention to the ingredients)
Crushed candy canes (for garnish)
Instructions:
Gently heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Be careful not to boil—it should be hot but not scorching.
Add the cocoa powder and sugar to the warm milk, whisking until completely dissolved.
Stir in the chopped dark chocolate until it melts into a smooth, luscious mixture.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the peppermint extract. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and add more if you prefer a stronger mint flavor.
Pour into mugs, top with a generous swirl of whipped cream, and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a festive flair.
Pro tip: Serve with a peppermint stick or chocolate-dipped spoon for stirring.
Crockpot Creamy Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
6 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions:
Add 6 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 pinch salt to a 5 quart crockpot and whisk until well combined. Stir through 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup milk chocolate chips.
Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours, stirring from time to time, until chocolate is fully melted and combined.
Serve: Whisk thoroughly, then serve in mugs with toppings of choice.
Peppermint Power
Peppermint is the oil that saves your sanity in December.
Tired? Peppermint. Overwhelmed? Peppermint. Need to breathe? Peppermint. Add a drop to your cocoa, diffuse it while you wrap gifts, or use it for a quick pick-me-up. Your teens will steal it too — guaranteed.
2.
Practice Micro-Mindfulness
Especially in the holiday hustle
December is busy — that’s just real life.
But micro-mindfulness can help you stay calm inside the busy. Telling yourself "I'm going to pause for a tiny moment so I don't lose my mind." It’s the art of noticing your life while you’re living it — in super small, super doable pockets of time.
Micro-mindfulness isn’t sitting cross-legged for 30 minutes or escaping to a cabin in the woods.
(Though, let’s be real, that does sound nice.)
Here are some simple ways to weave mindfulness into everyday moments for you and your kids:
Take a slow deep breath before walking into a store
Say a quick prayer before the day begins
Listen to calming music or a favorite playlist while walking or driving
Do a gratitude moment while wrapping gifts
Practice a “car moment” — talk, breathe, or share something positive on the drive
Notice one thing you're thankful for each day
Do a quick breathing exercise at a red light
Create a calm space at home where anyone can unwind with soft lighting or a diffuser
Ask your kids what’s stressing them this month (they’ll open up at unexpected times)
Share a funny moment, something that went well, or something you appreciated from the day
It’s the small pauses that help you stay calm inside the chaos — not because the chaos disappears, but because you stay grounded in the middle of it.
When you add these micro-moments into December, everything feels lighter, and the season suddenly becomes more enjoyable, less overwhelming, and more you.
Meet Your December Calm: Adaptiv®
Adaptiv® is doTERRA’s go-to blend for stress, overwhelm, and those “too many tabs open in my brain” moments. It combines calming oils like Lavender and Copaiba with uplifting citrus oils to help you feel more balanced and emotionally steady. Roll it on your wrists, breathe it in, or diffuse it whenever you need a quick reset.
3.
Bring the Spirit of Christmas
Into your home, heart and family
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect home or perfectly planned traditions to feel the Spirit of Christmas.
Most of the time, it’s the small, intentional touches that make your home feel warm, peaceful, and centered on what matters most.
Here are simple ways to invite Christ-centered peace into your December:
Play soft Christmas hymns in the morning to set a gentle tone
Keep a Nativity somewhere visible and talk about one piece each week
Read one scripture or Christ-centered quote at night
Say a quick prayer together at dinner or before bed
Do one small act of kindness as a family each week
Ask your kids which traditions mean the most to them (their answers may surprise you)
Let your family help choose a neighbor gift or service idea
Watch a Christ-centered Christmas movie together
Invite your kids to help set up the Nativity or another symbolic decoration
Look for natural moments to talk about Jesus during your day
These little spiritual touches anchor your home, soften hearts, and help everyone feel more connected — without adding stress or pressure.
Frankincense: The King of Oils
Frankincense is known as “the King of Oils,” and it’s easy to see why — its peaceful, grounding aroma brings a sense of calm and reverence into your home. It’s perfect for quiet mornings, scripture study, bedtime routines, or anytime you want to invite the spirit of Christmas into your space. Diffuse it, breathe it in, or apply it to your wrists for instant calm and centeredness.
4.
Joys of Motherhood at Christmastime
Imperfect moments can bringing family closer
There’s something about December that pulls at a mother’s heart. Even when life feels messy or overwhelming, this season nudges us to slow down, notice our kids, and remember how quickly time is moving. The joy of motherhood doesn’t usually show up in big, planned events — it sneaks in during the in-between moments.
Here are a few easy ways to reconnect and enjoy your kids this Christmas, without adding more to your plate.
A drive-thru cocoa date
Let your kids or teens DJ Christmas music
Wrap gifts together late at night
Bake something easy and fun
Pull out a favorite Christmas book or movie
Offer help with end-of-year stress or finals
Ask: “What’s something you’re proud of this year?”
Share stories from your own childhood Christmases
Say “yes” to a few spontaneous moments (they remember those)
Give grace — to them and yourself
Connection doesn’t have to be planned.
Most of the time, the magic shows up in small pockets of conversation and shared tasks.
5.
Make One Small Promise to Yourself
Small shifts help create calm
December isn’t just about taking care of everyone else — it gets to be about you too. In the middle of the errands, the wrapping, the cooking, and the constant “mom, where’s my…,” you deserve a moment to breathe and feel good again. This month, give yourself permission to choose one small habit that helps you feel more grounded, calm, and connected to yourself. Nothing big. Nothing overwhelming. Just one tiny promise that says, “I matter too.”
Choose one tiny habit to commit to — something that brings YOU back to center:
Go to bed earlier one night this week.
Drink a glass of water before your morning coffee.
Step outside for one quiet minute and breathe in the fresh air.
Keep one small corner of your home peaceful and uncluttered.
Start your morning without your phone for the first 10 minutes.
Replace five minutes of scrolling with something that fills your spirit.
Use your diffuser at night and let yourself unwind for a moment.
Take a simple “reset shower” to rinse off the mental load of the day.
Say one kind and true thing to yourself each day.
Move your body for the length of one song.
Say no to one thing that’s stretching you too thin.
Create a 10-second gratitude moment and thank God for one thing.
And if you want to invite your older kids or teens into healthier habits too, simply model it.
They notice more than they say. 👈
10 Reasons You’ll Love doTERRA Serenity®
1. Sleep support – Helps you fall asleep faster and wake up refreshed.
2. Stress relief – Instantly soothes tension and anxious thoughts.
3. Peaceful home vibes – Diffuse to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere.
4. Emotional balance – Helps you stay centered on chaotic days.
5. Perfect for kids – A few drops in the diffuser helps everyone wind down.
6. Beautiful scent – Smells like a spa—soft, earthy, and cozy.
7. Great evening ritual – Add to a bath or apply to feet before bed.
8. Focus helper – Calms racing thoughts so you can think clearly.
9. Pairs with Serenity Softgels – For deeper rest and relaxation.
10. Everyday reset – One drop on your wrists = instant exhale.
How I use it: Diffuse before bed, rub on my wrists during stressful days, or add to Epsom salts for a calming bath.
As we step into December, I hope this post gives you permission to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and remember what actually matters in this season. Not the perfect gifts, not the perfect schedule, not the perfect house — just small moments of connection, intention, and joy.
If you’re craving a simple way to make this month feel more meaningful (without adding to your mental load), I made something for you. Two things, actually — and you can choose whichever fits your family best right now.
2 FREE Downloads to help
invite the Christmas Spirit this December!
Psst—before you click away, dōTERRA's 2025 Holiday Guide is here.
This is your festive wellness + gift-giving cheat-sheet. Inside you’ll find curated scent-and-self-care picks (think diffusers, seasonal blends like Holiday Joy® and Holiday Peace®, and cozy accessories) designed to fill your home with warmth, joy, and intention.
By Natalie
All things in here are by my opinion. You should always do your own research when it comes to your own body. Everyone is different and what may work for me could be very different for you so please listen to what your own body needs. Be in tune and love who you are.
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