It’s the week before Christmas, and the whirlwind is real. Your to-do list is long, your time is short, and the pressure feels intense. But here’s the truth: Christmas isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection, joy, and being present for the moments that matter most.

Today, we’re here with a pep talk to help you find peace in the chaos. Join us as we share helpful strategies for slowing down, focusing on what really matters, and finding those precious pockets of joy. So tune in, take a deep breath, and let's navigate this holiday season together with intention and calm.

Highlights from the episode:

[1:53] - Slow down and breathe

[3:33] - Write it all down

[5:46] - Find pockets of joy

Resources:

• Grab The Holiday Headstart Playbook
• Take the Holiday Profile quiz
• Follow on Instagram @theholidayheadstart
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

What’s Next?

• Plan Your Reset: Set aside time after the holidays to reflect, recharge, and gently ease back into your routines.
• Reflect & Learn: Jot down what worked well this season and what you’d like to adjust for next year. Use tools like the Holiday Headstart Playbook to capture those insights.

If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love these too:

• Episode 12 - How To Use a Task Docket to Make Managing Your Holiday To Dos Easy Peasy
• Episode 14 - Top Christmas Tip: Use a Script to Save Your Sanity on the Big Day

More About The Holiday Headstart:

Welcome to The Holiday Headstart podcast, where we get intentional about kicking overwhelm to the curb and bringing joy back to your holidays (and every day). We’re Heidi and Emily, two sisters and former elementary school teachers, who’ve taken the simple strategies and practical tips we mastered in the classroom and put them to work in our personal lives.

And we’re here to help you do the same! Join us each week as we share how, with a little planning and a little prep, you can ensure that the days that make life special don’t become the days that make you stressed.

Do you feel overwhelmed trying to keep track of everything during the holidays? Today, we’re sharing one of our best-kept teacher secrets: creating a script for big days like Christmas. A script is more than a plan—it’s a minute-by-minute outline that acts as your safety net, support system, and freedom-giver during hectic events. Listen in as we unpack how this simple tool can help you stay organized, enjoy the holiday, and preserve your energy.

Highlights from the episode:

[01:04] - Tradition Spotlight on Christmas Night adventures

[05:09] - 3 Reasons you need a script

[08:16] - How to write your Christmas Day script

[13:19] - This week’s Get A Headstart Tip for making a Christmas Morning basket

[15:59] - What’s on our to-do lists this week

[17:42] - Our Nice Lists

Resources:

• Grab The Holiday Headstart Playbook
• Take the Holiday Profile quiz
• Follow on Instagram @theholidayheadstart
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love these too:

• Episode 12 - How to Use a Task Docket to Make Managing your Holiday To-Dos Easy Peasy
• Episode 13 - Holiday Housekeeping: How a December Upkeep Plan Will Save Your Sanity

Show Notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/hh-podcast/holiday-planning-script/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take our FREE holiday profile quiz at https://quiz.theholidayheadstart.com/

In this episode, we tackle the stress that comes with the holiday season and explore proactive strategies to manage overwhelm. Instead of waiting for the inevitable meltdown, we’ll discuss how to build a plan that simplifies your responsibilities while ensuring your home stays functional and festive. From revisiting your personal holiday values to crafting a Minimum Upkeep Plan (MUP), you’ll walk away with practical tools to navigate the season with more joy and less chaos.

If you have the Holiday Headstart Playbook, grab it now to follow along. Don’t have it yet? Download it here.

Highlights from the episode:

[01:00] - Tradition Spotlight on Grinch Dinner

[09:43] - What a Minimum Upkeep Plan (MUP) is and why it’s essential during December

[13:54] - Cleaning styles: Beat-the-Buzzer, One-and-Done, and Bespoke Cleaning

[14:57] - Tools and pages in the Holiday Headstart Playbook to streamline your routines

[16:31] - This week’s Get A Headstart Tip for planning for Winter Break

[17:37] - What’s on our to-do lists this week

[18:49] - Our Nice Lists

Resources:

• Muslim man celebrates first Christmas
• Grinch Playlist
• Book Club Hotel
• MDesign Shower Caddy
• Grab The Holiday Headstart Playbook
• Take the Holiday Profile quiz
• Follow on Instagram @theholidayheadstart
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love these too:

• Episode 4 - How to Craft Your Holiday Values For A More Meaningful Christmas Season
• Episode 7 - Unlock the Power of the 3 Cs: Your Ultimate Guide to Holiday Planning

Show Notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/hh-podcast/holiday-housekeeping-december-upkeep-plan/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take our FREE holiday profile quiz at https://quiz.theholidayheadstart.com/