💛 A Gentle Start to December

(The Tiny Things Helping Me This Week) 

Published: Sunday, December 7 

December always arrives fast — full calendars, fun plans, grandkid excitement, shopping to finish, cookies to bake… and the sense that everything is happening at the same time. 

But this week, instead of falling into the December swirl, I found myself leaning into something softer: tiny habits, cozy resets, and realistic expectations. 

Here’s a little wrap-up of what this first week of December looked like in my world, and the small things that made it feel lighter. 

✨ A Cozy Recap of the Week 

We planned out the kids’ Gingerbread Village Party for next weekend — and honestly, I think I might be more excited than they are. The decorations are picked, the glow sticks are ready, and I’ll be baking cookies this week to prep. 

Jamie and I also started our Christmas shopping. 
We made a list. 
We bought a couple things. 
And we already forgot where we hid them. 
(December mysteries… they happen.) 

Work was busy, home was busy, life was full — but it wasn’t overwhelming. 
Not because it was “easy,” but because I leaned into small habits that kept everything from tilting sideways. 

✨ Tiny Harmony Habits That Helped This Week 

These aren’t big routines or complicated systems. 
They’re little touchpoints that create just enough calm to get you through a full week with more peace than panic. 

💛 1. The 5-Minute Calendar Check 

Every evening, I peek at tomorrow so I’m not surprised by anything. 
It’s such a small habit, but it removes SO much mental clutter. 

💛 2. A Quick Clutter Sweep 

Not a deep clean — just tossing trash, putting a couple things away, and giving the space a 1% reset. 
It makes the whole house feel steadier. 

💛 3. One Load of Laundry, Start to Finish 

Washed overnight, folded in the morning. 
Tiny habit → HUGE impact. 

💛 4. A 15-Minute Reset When Things Feel Heavy 

You’d be amazed how much clears in 15 minutes. 
Even when the day is chaotic, this one thing helps me feel capable again. 

💛 5. Using My Holiday Organizer as a Home Base 

It kept the gingerbread party planning, gift lists, and December tasks from floating around my brain. 
It’s been my December command center. 

✨ Thoughtful Tips If Your December Already Feels Busy 

If you’re moving through this season feeling pulled in every direction, here are a few small things that might help: 

• Pick ONE tiny habit and do it daily. 

• Give yourself permission to simplify. 

• Keep a “December brain dump” page for anything on your mind. 

• Touch one clutter hotspot a day — even 60 seconds counts. 

• Build one cozy moment into every morning or evening. 

None of these fix everything. 
They just make everything feel lighter, and that’s enough. 

✨ Closing 

So that’s where I am this week — moving through December gently, one tiny habit at a time, keeping things simple, cozy, and doable. 

If you’re right in the middle of the holiday swirl too, you’re not alone. 
We’re figuring it out side-by-side. 

Here’s to a calm, steady start to December. 💛 

Stress-Free December Kickoff

How to Set the Tone for a Calm, Cozy, Actually-Enjoyable Holiday Season 

My real-life setup — baking supplies out, planner open, and a calmer December on the way.

December used to sneak up on me like, “Surprise! Here’s a pile of chaos with a bow on it.” 
School events, work deadlines, family gatherings, shopping, wrapping, cooking… all stacked on top of real life like the world’s wobbliest Jenga tower. 

But over the last couple years — and especially since building Home Harmony — I realized something big: 

✨ December doesn’t have to be a disaster. 
✨ You get to set the tone. 
✨ And when you set the tone early… everything feels lighter. 

This post is your official kickoff to a calmer, easier, more intentional December. Nothing fancy. Nothing perfect. Just simple systems that remove the stress so you can actually enjoy the season (and maybe even sit down with a hot cocoa before it goes cold). 

One year I totally forgot about a school event until the morning of — and nothing makes December feel chaotic quite like that. Mapping my month early changed everything. 

Pick one, drop it in, and the post will instantly feel more grounded and memorable. 

Let’s get into it. 

1. Start with a 10-Minute December Reset 

Before you deep-dive into decorating or planning, start with a quick reset so your space feels lighter. 

Try this: 

• Clear your entryway 

• Quick tidy of the living room 

• Wipe counters 

• Start a load of laundry 

• Dump all “holiday stuff” into one basket to sort later 

It’s amazing how much calmer December feels when the main areas aren’t screaming at you. 

2. Map the Month — the Easy Way 

You don’t need a full-blown planner spread. (Unless you want one. In that case, hi, we can absolutely do that.) 

Just grab a calendar and plug in: 

• Must-attend events 

• School deadlines 

• Work black-out days 

• Travel days 

• Gift exchanges / secret Santas 

• Family traditions you want to honor 

This stops the “I forgot that was THIS WEEK?!” panic spiral. 

3. Pick Your Non-Negotiables 

Before the month gets busy, decide: 

✨ What matters most to your family 
✨ What traditions you actually love 
✨ What you want this December to feel like 

And then — here’s the magic — let everything else be optional. 

You don’t need to bake 14 cookie recipes. 
You don’t need matching pajamas if no one cares. 
You don’t need to say yes to every holiday event in a 40-mile radius. 

4. Build Your “Holiday Helper Kits” 

These save your sanity: 

• Gift-wrap kit (tape, paper, tags, pens) 

• Snack kit for last-minute gatherings 

• Kids' activity kit for snow days or long weekends 

• Self-care kit so you don’t forget you 

Put them where you actually use them… not in the hidden closet you forget exists. 

5. Do a One-Hour Kitchen Prep 

Holiday life = kitchen chaos. 
A quick Sunday prep makes the whole month easier: 

• Chop veggies 

• Pre-season chicken or protein 

• Make a soup or pasta sauce 

• Prep hot-cocoa toppings for the kids 

• Clear your fridge shelves (important!) 

• Set aside easy weeknight meals 

The goal is less scrambling and more enjoying. 

6. Use My Holiday Organizer 

(Your new secret weapon.) 

Inside you’ll find: 
✔️ Gift lists 
✔️ Event planners 
✔️ Budget trackers 
✔️ Meal and baking planning 
✔️ A December calendar 
✔️ Stress-free tips 
✔️ Family tradition ideas 
✔️ And more 

This is the exact system I use at home, and it turns the entire month into something actually fun. 

👉 Click my link for the Holiday Organizer 

7. Protect Your Peace — On Purpose 

Two things that change everything: 

1. Leave white space on your calendar 
Quiet evenings save your energy. 

2. Let go of “perfect” 
Kids don’t care if your gingerbread houses lean. 
Family won’t remember if the wrapping paper was coordinated. 

But everyone remembers the feeling. 

8. Start the Month With a Warm Intention 

Instead of saying: 
“I hope December isn’t stressful…” 

Say: 
“I choose calm. I choose peace. I choose simple this year.” 

You’ll be amazed how much the tone shifts when you shift first. 

This December? You’re Doing It Differently. 

You’re choosing ease. 
You’re choosing systems over chaos. 
You’re choosing to enjoy the moments, not survive them. 

And honestly? You deserve that. 

If you’re ready for your calmest holiday season yet, grab your Holiday Organizer and let’s make December feel good this year. 💛