Your Guide to a Cultivated and Joyful Holiday

Your Guide to a Cultivated and Joyful Holiday

Like many things in 2021, the holidays might look a little different this year. That doesn't mean they can't be peaceful, joyful, and cultivated, though! Our team put together this Wildcard page just for you: to help you focus on what matters this season, and let go of the rest. It might be just what you've been looking for!


After you've identified your priorities, there's a space on the worksheet to list a few action items for the season ahead. This isn't meant to be an exhaustive to do list, but instead a way to highlight what is most important to you! If you need a few ideas of what to add to your worksheet or Tending List, we gathered a few below - and would love to hear your ideas in the comments, too!



Preparing well for the holidays:

  • Order holiday cards
  • Update your address book
  • Plan your calendar, accounting for travel plans/guests, activities, events, and babysitters, if necessary
  • Choose a devotional or faith focus (have to recommend our Write the Word™ Advent bundle!)
  • Draw names for family or friend gift picks
  • Coordinate holiday plans with family or friends
  • Make a gift plan (Emily on our team likes to use a Google Doc - one sheet for each year, so she can easily go back and look at what she gave in past years!)
  • Buy tickets for special holiday activities
  • Gather your gift wrapping supplies and put them in an easy-to-access location
  • Make a budget (include gifts, activities, events, and extras like decor or pajamas!)
  • Brainstorm holiday food (big "event" meals and smaller ones, too!)
  • "Clear the decks" before adding in holiday decor. Tidy trouble spots, throw away trash, and remove extra items from surfaces.
  • Make a plan for generosity and service


Enjoying the holidays:

  • Pay for the person behind you in the drive-through line
  • Donate toys to a local organization
  • Bake treats and gift them to friends or neighbors
  • Work on a puzzle
  • Read favorite holiday stories
  • Drive (or walk!) to look at houses with their holiday lights
  • Make a homemade wreath with live evergreen branches
  • Host a holiday movie marathon

What holiday items have you added to your November or December Tending List? We'd love to hear!

1 comment

I’m glad that I read this blog though it’s early October. The holidays come quickly. Two years ago, I tried to do it all. I was so tired. Last year, I planned more and reduced my expectations and tried to do our favorite traditions. It was a lot more relaxed than the year prior. This year, I want to have more intentions on the feelings and connection that I want for my family. So, I’m starting earlier this year and can’t wait to enjoy all the wonderful moments of the season.

Melissa Emert

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Emily Thomas

Emily Thomas

Emily Thomas

Emily Thomas is Cultivate What Matters' Content Strategist and Writer. With over a decade at Cultivate, Emily loves helping women uncover what matters, set good goals, and live them out with joy. Her free time is spent with her high-school-sweetheart husband and three young kiddos.