The holiday season is magical—but for working moms, it can also feel overwhelming. Between work, kids, gifts, events, and trying to maintain your own sanity, it’s easy to feel like the holidays are running you instead of the other way around.
In this episode, I share 10 practical tips to lighten the holiday mental load and approach the season with intention, so you can lead both your home and yourself with calm confidence.
Before diving into holiday strategies, I want to share someone who recently transformed my home: Jamie from Clay and Vine Interiors. My office was a cluttered hodgepodge of books and frames, and I need some direction to elevate the space. Jamie came in, asked thoughtful questions, and styled the space in a way that is warm, welcoming, and classic. Jamie communicated clearly, respected my budget, and made the process stress-free.
Learn more or inquire here.
Episode Sponsor
Thank you to our episode sponsor, Let’s Dish! Dinnertime with three young kids can be very overwhelming, and I’m so glad I discovered Let’s Dish! It takes the guesswork out of it — with family-friendly meals and freezer-to-table in 30 minutes, dinner is ready without the hassle of finding a recipe, getting to the grocery store, and doing it all yourself. I’m a big fan of sitting down at the table with family to eat a good meal — and Let’s Dish! has made that so much simpler, especially for the busy weeknights. Learn more here.
Timestamp Snapshot (Timestamps are approximate)
0:00 – Welcome & Holiday Season Thoughts
5:10 – Why the Holidays Feel Overwhelming
10:45 – Tip 1: Holiday Vision Meeting
13:20 – Tip 2: Brain Dump & Divide Tasks
16:50 – Tip 3: Invisible Load Conversation
20:00 – Tip 4: Holiday Operating Plan
23:15 – Tip 5: Simplify Gifting
28:00 – Tip 6: Plan Routine Items Early
31:20 – Tip 7: Anchor into Presence
34:00 – Tip 8: Daily Partner Check-Ins
36:00 – Tip 9: Protect Your Energy
38:50 – Tip 10: Practice Gratitude & “Good Enough”
Why the Holidays Feel Like A Heavy Lift
The holiday season often feels overwhelming because of the invisible mental load. Moms carry most household tasks, and during the holidays, these multiply: gifts, events, calendars, meal prep, finances, and hosting responsibilities all collide with work and daily life. The mental bandwidth alone can be exhausting.
1. Holiday Vision Meeting
Before shopping or planning events, have a brief conversation with your partner about your shared holiday vision. Decide what’s most important, what traditions you want to continue, and what can be skipped this year. Setting a shared compass makes the season intentional, not reactive.
2. Brain Dump & Divide Tasks
Get everything out of your head and onto paper, a notebook, or a spreadsheet. Assign ownership to family members—this ensures no one person carries the full load. Tools like Fair Play Cards by Eve Rodsky are great for delegating household responsibilities.
3. Invisible Load Conversation
Be upfront with your partner about the behind-the-scenes tasks you handle. Shifting from venting to co-owning empowers both partners and mirrors the leadership skills you use at work.
4. Holiday Operating Plan
Reverse-engineer your holiday calendar by marking key dates and deadlines. This proactive rhythm spreads tasks across weeks, reducing last-minute stress and decision fatigue.
5. Simplify Gifting
Create a gift spreadsheet with categories, ideas, descriptions, and status tracking. Batch shop online or in-store, and consider gift cards for teachers to reduce unnecessary shopping and save time.
6. Plan Routine Items Early
Schedule haircuts, house cleaning, card mailings, and other recurring tasks in advance. These small but necessary items can become mental tabs if left unplanned.
7. Anchor into Presence over Performance
Focus on meaningful rituals rather than perfection. Simple repeated activities, like hot cocoa movie nights or holiday light drives, create memories your family will cherish more than perfectly wrapped gifts.
8. Daily Partner Check-Ins
Keep communication open with brief, end-of-day check-ins. Discuss what’s done, what’s coming, and how you can support each other to prevent overwhelm and resentment.
9. Protect Your Energy
Prioritize sleep, workouts, nutrition, and self-care to sustain yourself during this busy season. Schedule time just for you to recharge, even if it’s one night a week or an early morning routine.
10. Practice Gratitude & Embrace “Good Enough”
End each day with a short reflection on wins and intentions for tomorrow. Focus on progress rather than perfection—this keeps your mindset joyful and grounded throughout the holiday season.
By proactively planning, delegating, and protecting your energy, you can lighten the mental load and truly enjoy the holidays. If this episode helped, share it with a friend or colleague who could use some extra holiday support.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Let’s Dish – Family-friendly meals
Clay & Vine Interiors – Home design and styling
Fair Play Cards by Eve Rodsky – Delegate household tasks
