The Official 2025 Holiday Survival Guide

For People Who Are Already Tired

Let’s be honest: December doesn’t “arrive”, it ambushes you. One day you’re minding your business, the next you’re booked for six dinners, three Secret Santas, two brunches and one existential crisis. Your social battery is at 2%, your calendar is full, and your body is running on cinnamon, caffeine and blind optimism.

And yet, here you are, trying to be festive.

So instead of pretending we’re thriving, here’s a very honest list of how we’re surviving the holidays in 2025: no toxic cheer, no forced fun, just vibes, boundaries and cake.

Leaving Behind Showing Up Early

Arriving early is for people with limitless energy and no social anxiety.

This time, we arrive:

• After the food is served

• After the awkward introductions

• After the host has had one drink and softened emotionally

If you miss the first round of small talk, congratulations! You’ve won!

Embracing the Strategic Exit

AKA:

• The Irish Goodbye

• The Bathroom Disappearance

• The “I’ll be right back” that could be a lie

If you know fewer than two people in the room, you are legally allowed to leave early. No explanations. No guilt.

Ranking December Events Honestly

Not all festive plans are created equal

Elite Tier:

Small home gatherings where you kick off your shoes and nobody asks questions

Risky But Worth It:

Work Secret Santa. Depends entirely on whether you Santa understands you or hates you

Unpredictable:

Extended family dinners. Could be wholesome. Could be chaos.

High-Stakes:

New Year’s Eve parties. The emotional Olympics. Bring water. Bring snacks. Bring an exit plan.

Treating Our Peace Like A Limited Edition Drop

Because it is.

Things we’re doing:

• Two social events per weekend, maximum

• Blocking alone time like it’s a non-negotiable meeting

• Saying “let me check” before committing

• Leaving space to breathe

Things we’re not doing:

• Overbooking ourselves

• Apologising for needing rest

• Explaining boundaries to people who don’t respect them

Redefining Festive Self-Care

Self-care doesn’t need a checklist, but this season, it looks like”

• Hot chocolate that’s mostly chocolate

• Movie marathons where the plot doesn’t matter

• Re-reading the same comfort book for the 14th time

• Sitting under fairy lights pretending life is a soft-focus film

If it soothes your nervous system, it counts.

Letting “Festive Enough” Be Enough

We’re leaving behind:

• Perfect décor

• Packed calendars

• Forced cheer

• The idea that joy has to be loud

We’re choosing:

• Quiet moments

• Small wins

• Rest without guilt

• Joy that sneaks up on us

And Finally, Remembering this:

You don’t owe the holidays your energy.

You don’t need to do everything.

You don’t need to be everywhere.

Celebrate how you want, rest when you need, leave early, and eat the cake.

Here’s to surviving, and maybe even enjoying the festive chaos of 2025.

Warmly,

People who are also tired