10 Things I’m Doing and Delegating This Holiday Season for Sanity’s Sake 🎄

With the holidays on the horizon, I’m gearing up mentally and physically so that once they arrive, I can be fully present—and dare I say—even enjoy myself! Here are some of the things I’m doing and delegating this holiday season. Feel free to adopt any of these ideas, and let me know what you’re doing to preserve energy for the moments that truly count. Here’s a peek at what I’m keeping on my plate and what I’m happily passing off:

Things I’m Doing:
1. Setting Boundaries 📅
Prioritizing what matters most in each moment means setting boundaries around my time and energy. For me, this means telling family that we’re hosting Thanksgiving with open doors, but keeping Christmas quiet and cozy, just us. Instead of big, fancy feasts, we’ll be living in our PJs for a few days. I’m also fiercely guarding downtime, saying “no” to extras and “yes” to more time for me and my family.

2. Sticking to My Exercise Routine 💪
Keeping consistent with fitness is my non-negotiable for staying grounded. Even if it’s just a quick 15- or 20-minute Peloton class, it’s the endorphin boost I need to feel mentally fit and ready for the holiday rush. One sweat away from an energy boost!

3. Family Traditions & Quality Time 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
This season is about creating memories, so I’m committed to showing up for those traditions that bring us together—decorating cookies, watching The Grinch from the hot tub, booking the Christmas train ahead of time so it doesn’t feel rushed. These are the moments that make the holidays meaningful for me.

4. Being Present with My Kids 👧🧒👶
For every single Arthur Christmas viewing! But seriously, with everything moving at holiday speed, I’m carving out time to be fully present with my little ones, doing crafts, reading holiday stories, and soaking up cozy moments. I’m intentionally stepping back from the work grind, and I’ll do my best to compartmentalize and get back to emails when I’m back “in office.”

Things I’m Delegating:
5. Thanksgiving Dinner Preparation 🦃
Rather than taking on the entire feast, we’re picking up most of Thanksgiving dinner from a catering company through our gym! This frees up our day for fun things like the turkey trot, a morning Bloody Mary bar with bacon strips, movies, puzzles, and only cooking our few favorite dishes. A catered or takeout option is a game-changer if it’s available to you!

6. Gift Research & Shopping with Duckbill.ai 🎁
I have a good idea of what I’m getting for my kids and partner, but the research, sizing, and coupon-hunting takes hours. This season, Duckbill.ai is handling it for me. It’s saving me endless browsing time. (Pro tip: Use code MYSAGEHAUS for 50% off your first 2 months plus priority access from the waitlist!)

7. Holiday Cards: Stuffing, Stamping, and Mailing 💌
No envelope assembly line for me this year! Many card companies now handle stuffing, stamping, and mailing, so once I hit “order,” my cards are delivered for me. In the past, I’ve let the kids do the stamping or asked my house manager to lend a hand. Get creative with your holiday help!

8. House Cleaning 🧹
This one may seem obvious, but with extra guests coming and going, keeping up with cleaning is no small task. I’m booking extra cleaning help for before and after guests arrive, taking deep cleaning off my list so I can relax and enjoy the festivities.

9. Gift Wrapping 🎀
Wrapping presents sounds fun—until you’re knee-deep in paper, ribbons, and tape. This year, I’m calling in the troops (aka my house manager) to assist with wrapping so my gifts look Pinterest-worthy without the effort. (And yes, Santa has his own special wrapping paper!)

10. Holiday Returns & Exchanges 📦
Post-holiday returns? Not my thing. I’m delegating this to a family assistant, who’ll handle returns and exchanges so I don’t have to face the post-holiday crowds. We’ve set up a dedicated email for return labels, and she’ll print them out and make the returns happen in a jiffy!

I hope this gives you a bit of inspiration for a holiday season that’s manageable and meaningful.

Remember, the holidays are for enjoying, not for turning into a marathon of tasks. My advice? Ask for help. Delegate.

Here’s to a holiday season filled with joy, connection, and way less stress!