5 Boundaries to Focus on this Holiday Season
Dec 05, 2025
It’s the end of the year. Your already crazy work schedule has gotten busier. Throw in a few Christmas parties, gift buying, decorating, holiday traditions, and baking to your already packed calendar, and you’ve got yourself a lovely cocktail of holiday season stress.
Even if you’ve stuck with your boundaries all year long, the busyness of the holiday season has a way of wrecking your best intentions and getting you way off course (No shame!! This happens to me too). It is far too easy to sacrifice your joy during this “happiest season of all” just for the sake of survival. This is why I have a few boundaries I want to encourage you to focus on as you dive head-first into the busiest time of year.
5 boundaries to uphold during the holiday festivities:
1. Guard Your Time
Intentional time management is like drawing a line around your day and creating boundaries to keep things in order. To protect your peace and joy, you must manage your time wisely. Remember: You don’t have to do everything. Just focus on what is most important (you get to choose). Saying no is okay!
- Use a planner as a map for your time
- Have a digital calendar that sends reminders
- Schedule the shopping, family time, relaxation... as if they are events
- Say “no” to anything non-essential, or that steals your joy
- Prioritize what matters most to you
Managing your time effectively is one of the best secret weapons for a sane and happy holiday season.
2. Prepare for Family Dynamics
Even if your family is close, when you are all in one place at the same time, it can feel like entering a maze of emotions. If your family is not close, these events can be a minefield of unresolved problems or tricky situations that make holiday celebrations stressful or even triggering. The best way to navigate this is to set emotional boundaries for yourself ahead of time.
- What sets off your emotional alarms? You need to recognize potential triggers. Once you know what to expect, you can prepare yourself mentally.
- During the gathering, practice mindfulness and deep breathing techniques to stay calm. It is like having a mini relaxation toolkit in your pocket.
- Have a support system ready. Have a person you can talk to or text for a quick pep talk.
- Set a time limit. Don’t overexpose yourself. Give yourself an exit strategy (and don’t be afraid to leave even earlier if you need to).
3. Manage Your Holiday Spending
There is nothing quite like the joy of giving. But generosity without boundaries can put quite the squeeze on your wallet. It is possible to keep the festive spirit without breaking the bank by setting financial boundaries for yourself.
- Create a budget for gifts, decorations, and celebrations in your spending plan. This will help you allocate money wisely and prevent any post-holiday financial stress.
- Consider making homemade presents or planning special experiences. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your giving.
- Be open with family and friends about your budget boundary. When everyone knows your boundary, there is less pressure to overspend.
- Don’t fall for every holiday sale and offer. There are sooo many sales and deals being shoved in your face this time of year. Don’t let them get you off course. Go in with a plan.
4. Don't Sacrifice Your Health and Wellness
Taking care of your health during the holidays is no easy task. Setting physical boundaries is the key to helping you prioritize your wellness and keep your well-being in check.
- Enjoy festive feasts without getting lost in the land of indulgence. There can still be room for sugars and treats, but when you go into the party with a boundary around them, you can enjoy them without the subsequent regret.
- Guard your sleep and rest. Burning the candle at both ends is not sustainable, and it is not helping anyone (especially you and those closest to you). Making sure to get enough sleep and downtime is a crucial part of ensuring you have the energy to fully enjoy the Christmas season.
5. Focus on Connection
The digital world is a never-ending rabbit hole, and the holidays can be the perfect time to take a step back and breathe. Let's face it, being constantly online can lead to burnout and steal the joy from festivities. So, this holiday season, give yourself a digital break.
- Set specific times for checking emails or scrolling through social media. This is like putting a fence around your digital space, making sure it doesn’t take over every moment of your holiday.
- Plan some digital-free activities with family and friends. This allows you to rediscover the joy of face-to-face conversations and laughter without the distraction of screens.
- Reduce screen time and enjoy nature or hobbies. Take a step away from the digital noise to appreciate the simple joys around you with those you love most.
Holiday Wellness Starts with Boundaries
Maintaining your boundaries during the holidays is crucial for guarding your peace. The key is to go in prepared. I encourage you to take a moment to sit down with a notebook and pen, and plan out how you are going to navigate this holiday season and what boundaries you are going to set to protect your joy.
Want to dig deeper? Download our FREE holiday survival guide HERE.
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