The holidays, y’all. They come at you like a speeding sleigh with zero brakes, loaded with twinkly lights, endless to-do lists, and at least 15 different cookie exchanges you never asked to be part of. I swear, you blink, and suddenly it's New Year’s Eve, and you're still wearing last week’s unwashed leggings while frantically trying to remember if you mailed that one aunt’s gift. Spoiler: you didn’t. 

Now don’t get me wrong, I live for the holiday magic -  the twinkle of lights, the smell of pine, that moment when your kid opens a gift and actually smiles. (Rare, but it happens.) But there’s another side to it all - Mom Burnout. Because while it looks like we’re effortlessly decking the halls, half of us are teetering on the edge of a peppermint-scented meltdown. So, here’s a little fashionista-meets-motherhood survival guide to help us keep our mental health intact while juggling holiday magic. 

Deck the Halls, Not Your Schedule

Look, I love a good Pinterest holiday board as much as the next mom, but we all know there’s a fine line between festive and frenzied. You do not need to attend every holiday market, make homemade advent calendars, or hand-knit matching scarves for everyone. I once tried to make a DIY wreath after a Pinterest binge, and, let’s just say, it looked more like a bird’s nest on steroids. Not worth the stress.

Real Talk Tip: Keep it simple, girl. Pick a few meaningful traditions that your family loves and leave the rest. Your peace of mind is worth more than any over-the-top gingerbread house contest. Less is definitely more when it comes to staying sane.

Say ‘No’ Like a Pro

For some reason, the holidays turn perfectly sane people into event-hungry monsters. (You know it’s true.) I once got five different invites to cookie exchanges in a single week. Five! As if I have time to bake, much less avoid burning half of them. PSA: It is perfectly okay to decline invites. Politely say, "Sorry, I can’t make it," and move on with your life. Don’t guilt yourself into spreading thinner than your grandma’s famous pie crust.  The power of a good “no” cannot be overstated. Say it with a smile, throw on some chic earrings, and voila! You’re busy taking care of your mental health.

Turn Holiday Chaos Into Self-Care Moments

I know, I know. Who has time for self-care when there are holiday concerts, gifts to wrap, and 400 little seasonal activities to squeeze in? But hear me out: it’s all about the little moments. When you feel the stress creeping in, find a way to recharge that feels doable. For me, it’s sneaking a cup of cinnamon tea while the kids are glued to their favorite holiday movie. Or treating myself to a mini-spa moment with a holiday-scented candle while wrapping gifts (just try not to drop wax on the wrapping paper like I did).

Pro-Mom Tip: Build in those mini-escapes, even if it’s five minutes to breathe. And if anyone interrupts your “me time” while you’re luxuriating in a face mask, calmly let them know Santa’s watching. That’ll buy you at least a few minutes of peace.

Don’t Chase Perfection—Just Have Fun

Let me tell you about the time I tried to recreate a Martha Stewart-worthy Christmas tablescape while my toddler screamed because I wouldn’t let her eat all the candy canes in one sitting. Spoiler alert: My table ended up looking like a candy store exploded, and my sanity? MIA. Perfection is overrated. So what if your cookies are a little burnt or the tree looks slightly wonky? What matters is the laughter, the memories, and those sweet (albeit chaotic) family moments.

Take a Break Before You Break

I get it—holiday stress can sneak up on you like glitter in a craft project (and we all know glitter NEVER goes away). But trust me when I say, burnout is real, and it’s not festive. Whether it’s asking your partner to take over dinner duty for a night or just stepping outside for a deep breath of fresh, cold air, take those breaks. The holidays can wait five minutes while you recalibrate. Give yourself the gift of a holiday timeout. 

At the end of the day, the holidays aren’t about how perfectly you wrapped the gifts or whether your mantel looks like an Instagram dream. They’re about connection, love, and making memories with the people who matter most. So when it starts to feel overwhelming, take a breath, look around, and remember - your presence is the best present of all. (Yes, I went there with the cheesy line, but it’s true!)

So mamas, let’s survive this holiday season with our sanity intact and our spirits high. Skip the stress, embrace the messy magic, and remember: You’ve got this. Now go pour yourself some eggnog (or wine - no judgment here), and enjoy the holiday ride.

xoxo