This time of year tends to be marked by hustle and bustle, but what if you just aren’t capable of hustle or bustle?

This holiday season, I thought I’d bring you some quiet, peaceful ideas for ways to make the holidays special without landing flat on your back.

Lights and Music

One of my favorite memories from my childhood Christmases was decorating the tree and getting it all lit up, then closing the blinds and playing our Mannheim Steamroller Christmas cassette on repeat. I would lie on the couch, or with my legs draped over the side of an armchair, and listen for hours, just soaking up the peace and beauty of the season.

While my family is used to seeing me take a few minutes after we set up the tree to listen to my usual album (these days, usually on vinyl!), this holiday season I plan to dig deep into these quiet moments by the tree. Why not pull out records or CDs you haven’t heard in a while and just enjoy the peace and serenity of the lights and the nostalgic music? Guilt-free, of course!

Candlelit Dinner

We tend to have a lot of candlelit dinners in the winter, much to my husband’s chagrin. I think he’d rather see his food, but there’s something inherently romantic and quiet about a candlelit dinner–and by romantic, I mean in the sense that it makes the ordinary things feel special and romanticized.

This idea isn’t limited to the holidays, but I think it’s particularly special during the holiday season that’s so marked by noise and hurry. Something about the flickering light invites us to slow down, linger around the table, and just enjoy quiet conversation. Whether you’re serving soup, take-out, or cheese and crackers, why not try it by candlelight this season? Linger as long as you want, or until the candles burn out!

Enjoy Children’s Holiday Books

When my kids were little, we amassed a great collection of Christmas and winter-themed children’s books. I wanted them to be special, so we put them away every year with the Christmas decorations and only brought them out each holiday. Even though the kids are all in their teens now, they still love pulling out the books and flipping through the beautiful illustrations, enjoying both the stories and the memories.

There are no rules or age limits for children’s books, and I would argue that in both the frenzy of the holidays and the haze of chronic illness, there’s every reason in the world to linger over their pages! If you don’t have your own collection, check your local library or a used bookstore. Then cozy up with a soft blanket and soak up the beautiful illustrations. While you’re at it, brew a nice warm drink to complete the experience!

Watch a Cozy Christmas Special

Remember the “good old days” of TV Christmas specials, broken up by classic commercials? I grew up in Spain, and one year my aunt recorded several hours’ worth of specials from their live tv programming in Canada and sent it to us. We just about wore that VHS tape out watching it!

One of the specials I remember was The Teddy Bears’ Christmas, which I believe was based on a children’s book. I don’t know why it stuck with me, except that it was so cute. A few years ago, I managed to track it down and introduced my kids to it. Even though they were older, they fell for its charms too, and we’ve watched it a few years in a row.

There are plenty of great Christmas movies out there, and movie-watching makes the perfect excuse to be still and rest. But why not try something different and track down some old-school specials that don’t see the light of day very often any more? Pick through your own memories or ask friends and family which specials they remember. I guarantee with a little sleuthing you’ll be able to find them! And for fun, why not eat a bowl of not-so-good-for-you cereal while you watch, just to complete the experience? Fruity Pebbles, I’m looking at you! (are they gluten free?? I doubt it…)

Put Together a Puzzle

I have a confession to make: I don’t particularly enjoy puzzles. But they are a really great way to spend some quiet, restful time, especially during the holidays. The added bonus is that puzzles are a great way to socialize without huge energy expenditure. Conversations tend to be muted, with lots of pauses while you look for the right piece, and no eye contact. If you’re running low on energy or feel most comfortable when you have something to do while you visit, they’re a great tool to keep in your back pocket.

To make them extra festive, you can find myriad holiday-themed puzzles on the market. For budget-friendly options, watch thrift stores or garage sales, or check your local library (did you know they often have games and puzzles available?). If you want something personal (or you’re looking for a gift for someone on your list), you could even have a photo made into a puzzle. They’re often available in varying difficulty levels/number of pieces to meet any skill level.

Discover Brambly Hedge

I don’t normally do this, but as I tried to decide where to mention Brambly Hedge (they could have gone in almost all of the sections above), I decided perhaps they needed their own entire section. Have you discovered Brambly Hedge?

I’m a relatively latecomer to these adorable books and illustrations, and I owe my sister-in-law for introducing me, by way of giving my daughter a set of books for Christmas one year. They’re just about the cutest stories I’ve seen, and the illustrations are so detailed, you could spend hours picking out little elements you’d previously missed! They aren’t exclusively Christmas-themed, but I think they’re especially fun this time of year, and there are some lovely Christmas stories, cards, advent calendars, puzzles, and many more items available. I recently discovered there’s even a show from the ’90s! Guess what I plan to watch over the holidays??

What are some of your favorite, quiet ways to spend the holidays?