Discover 10 feel-good things to do in December for a mindful, happy, and healthy end of the year.
The last month of the year can be both hard and exciting, depending on what kind of mood you’re in.
I usually swing between phases of bright optimism and sullen disappointment.
The former because ‘Yay, life’s good coz it’s Christmas’ and the latter because ‘What the heck did I even do this year?!’
But for December 2023, I am choosing to be in a happy zone and hurtle all my past regrets into the fireplace.
Why?
Because December is never ever meant to be a sad month, whether you’re surrounded by laughing family members or spending the holidays alone in your apartment with your Pomeranian (story of my life this year.)
In this post, I am dishing out 10 wholesome and productive December rituals that you need to tick off before it’s time to bid goodbye to 2023.
Grab your comforter, put on your coziest sweater, and sip a cup of coffee as I take you through these awesome December plans to end the year on a warm note.
Let’s go, marshmallow!
10 Cozy And Productive Things To Do In December
1. Watch As Many Holiday Movies As You Can
Let’s kickstart this list with my favorite December activity, i.e., watching holiday-themed movies in bed while munching your favorite winter snacks.
Holiday movies are one of the most wholesome things you can watch for feel-good and mushy vibes. But for obvious reasons, you wouldn’t want to watch them at any other time during the year.
In fact, here’s a sweet little challenge you can take on: For the rest of December, pick a new holiday movie and watch it at night.
While it’s freezing outside and you have a chance to snuggle under blankets, binge-watch your favorite holiday movies to get into your holiday spirit.
Here’s a mini challenge you can take on: For every night for the rest of December, pick a new holiday movie you’ve never watched before.
Here are some sweet December movie recommendations:
- Rise Of Guardians
- Spirited
- All I Want For Christmas
- 8-Bit Christmas
- The Family Stone
- Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
- The Princess Switch
Got any movie recs for me? Leave your suggestions behind in the comment box. Thank you!
2. Adopt Some Mini Good Habits
Most people wait for New Year to set up their good habits, but I prefer transitioning into that zone by adopting some mini good habits in December.
For example, if one of your goals for 2024 is to walk 10k steps a day, you can set a goal to cover just 3k steps per day in December.
People with major hydration goals for the new year can become accustomed to consuming more water by aiming for 5 glasses of warm water and a small cup of green tea.
You could try waking up before 8 am and indulge in a cozy winter morning routine. Perfect way to set yourself up for all the amazing morning habits you plan on adopting in the coming year.
Starting small-level versions of your New Year habits will ensure that your December isn’t spent being too lazy. But since the habits aren’t outright challenging, you’ll also be able to stay in your cozy winter bliss.
Check out: 11 Simple Habits To Start Before New Year
3. Embrace Hygge
Hygge is a Danish term that describes a feeling of well-being that comes from creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Embracing hygge in the months of winter, especially December, will beautify the snowy season for you by turning your sense of loneliness into blissful solitude.
Decorate your living space with soft, textured blankets, plush cushions, and warm, soft lighting such as candles or string lights.
Enjoy hot beverages like mulled wine, hot cocoa, or herbal teas while snuggled up in your favorite chair or blanket.
Invite friends and family over for a relaxed evening of board games or storytelling by the fireplace.
Embrace simplicity in your surroundings and activities, and opt for meaningful connections and quality time over extravagance.
Finally, make time for self-care, whether it’s reading a good book, taking a long bath, or practicing mindfulness, to nourish your soul and find joy in the little things.
This way, you can fully immerse yourself in the hygge spirit of December and discover some cozy ways to romanticize your life.
4. Declutter Your Space
Winter can make you put off all your productive tasks, but decluttering is one of the important December activities that you don’t want to skip.
You don’t want to enter 2024 with clutter accumulated in various corners of your house. Just like you, your home also deserves to get ready for a fresh start before new year.
Start by cleaning up your drawers and shelves, then move on to your wardrobe for a quick declutter.
Discard all such items from your space that you haven’t utilized in the past year and won’t be making use of anytime soon.
Donate reusable items to charity, and box away all your belongings that won’t be used for the next few months.
This process will hardly take you an hour or two at best but will leave you with an immense sense of accomplishment, a feeling we can all do with during the lazy days of December.
Check out: How To Organize Your Life In One Week
5. Set A Short Reading Goal For December
I try to stay regular with my reading habits throughout the year but still hit a few reading slumps along the way that mess up my reading goals for the year.
But with its slow and cozy vibes, December is the best month of the year to snuggle in and read a good number of books before the new year chimes in.
Whether you’re a book-lover like me or an occasional reader, you’ll love setting a reading goal for December.
It’s the perfect bedtime activity that will ensure you get your quality me-time in during the coldest month of the year.
My reading goal for December this year is going to be 10. Ambitious, I know, but I am really looking forward to curling up with some cozy winter romance novels.
Can’t think of a better way to spend my free time in December.
6. Bake Your Favorite Holiday Treats
If you haven’t already added baking to your December bucket list, you might want to reassess your plans.
I mean, it’s only the most delicious activity to embrace the cozy season and get yourself in the holiday mood.
Start by printing out your favorite holiday recipes to avoid unwanted disasters.
(In case anyone’s wondering, I’ll be attempting gingerbread cookies, peppermint brownies, and classic fruitcakes this season.)
Plan your baking sessions, and create a schedule that allows you to enjoy the process without feeling rushed.
Set the mood by playing festive music, lighting candles, and decorating your kitchen with holiday-themed items.
Experiment with seasonal flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to infuse your treats with a warm, cozy aroma.
Don’t forget to spread the joy by sharing some of your baked treats with friends, neighbors, and family. Sharing is caring!
Related post: 7 Simple Ways Of Eating Healthy During The Holidays
7. Tick Off Some Fun Outdoor Winter Activities
The urge to stay huddled indoors can be strong in winters, but December offers a wealth of outdoor activities that you don’t want to miss out on.
You can embrace the season’s charm with holiday-themed adventures by ice skating on outdoor rinks or wandering through Christmas markets under the twinkle of festive lights.
Snow-covered landscapes will provide the perfect backdrop for skiing and snowboarding, while winter hikes and snowshoeing trips will give you a peaceful escape from the daily grind.
You can sled down snowy hills, build snowmen, and engaging in friendly snowball fights. Your inner child will love you for this.
For those with a more adventurous spirit, explore winter trails on cross-country skis or embarking on ice fishing expeditions to seek winter’s thrill.
Don’t forget to click loads of pictures from your outdoor adventures. You’ll want to look back on the cherished memories of this enchanting season.
8. Have A Relaxing Self-Care Day
Before the year ends, pamper yourself with a self-care day to rest and restore your energies.
Take a warm bath with essential oils, put on a hydrating face mask, and give yourself a meni-pedi, complete with a nailpaint color of your choice.
Unplug your digital devices and indulge in a hobby that makes you happy.
Journal your thoughts to do a mental detox and practice gratitude by listing down some things you are thankful for in life.
Engage in activities that nourish your soul, whether it’s reading a favorite book, practicing yoga, or going for a brisk winter walk to enjoy the crisp air.
A self-care day in December is a precious gift you can give to yourself, ensuring that you head into the new year feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for the adventures and challenges that lie ahead.
Bookmark now: 15 Winter Self-Care Ideas To Make Your Days Cozy
9. Pick Your New Year’s Resolutions
It’s totally fine if you’re planning on not setting resolutions this year.
Growth can happen in all shapes and forms, and being free of New Year’s resolutions could be the one thing you need to actually make a difference in the coming year.
But for those of you who are enthusiastic about their New Year’s resolutions, it might be a good idea to solidify your intentions in advance.
Decide your resolutions for 2024 by listing them down in your journal. I’ve found that when it comes to setting achievable resolutions, less is more.
The more realistic your resolutions are for the coming year, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your new routine from day one of January.
Make sure to add some mental health goals so that it’s not all about fitness and productivity.
I hope you achieve everything you deserve and are worthy of!
Recommended: 21 End Of The Year Reflection Questions You Need To Ask Yourself
10. Give Back
Giving back not only benefits others but also brings joy and a sense of fulfillment to your life, making you a better person with each act of kindness that you serve.
And being the holiday season, December is the best month of the year to do your bit for the community and make a positive impact.
Volunteer at local shelters, food banks, or charitable organizations to help those in need during the holiday season.
Participate in toy drives or clothing donation initiatives to bring cheer to underprivileged families. Organize a neighborhood clean-up or community event to foster a sense of togetherness.
It’s also a good idea to support local businesses, artisans, and nonprofits by purchasing their products or donating to their causes.
Acts of kindness, no matter how small, such as paying it forward at your local coffee shop or helping a neighbor, can also spread goodwill and strengthen your spirit of giving back.
Don’t Miss: 7 Amazing Tips To Avoid Holiday Stress
Let December Be Your Happiest Month Of The Year
These December activities will ensure that your last month of the year is spent in a happy and healthy zone.
Add these tips to your December planner, and enter the new year in a better space of mind.
And if you have any cozy self-care ideas that I can add to my routine, feel free to share them in the comment box.
Happy December, everyone!
Read next: 10 Unhealthy Habits To Quit Before New Year
Robin Pringle says
Hi Akansha,
I love your blog! I just wanted to share some of my favorite Christmas Movies. They all have romance, comedy and the Spirit of Christmas. Merry Liddle Christmas has three movies on Lifetime Network. The Chandler Christmas movies has four movies, the last one is Chandler Christmas Getaway on Dove or UpTV. Also, A Christmas Card, and A Christmas To Remember on Hallmark. You can download the PlexTV App or Pluto TV App on any device and watch holiday movies for free. Check out the Classic Movie Channels for Holiday Movies too. Enjoy!
Akansha says
Hey, there!! I’m so glad you love the blog. Really appreciate you taking the time to drop a comment.
And thank you so much for those recommendations. I can’t get enough of Christmas movies during this time of year. Will be adding all of those to my movie bucket list. Also, good reminder to check out the movie channels. I used to watch those as a kid while curled under the blanket, and now I don’t even have any of those subscriptions! I’ll remember to step back from online streaming platforms and subscribe to some classic movies. It’ll be sweet and nostalgic.
Wish you happy holidays!
Robin Pringle says
Thank you for the reply. One of my other favorites is The Night They Saved Christmas. It is a classic and good for kids to watch that believe in Santa Claus. You can download the free TV apps and watch Christmas movies now. Enjoy! Happy Holidays!
Akansha says
Thanks! I’ll make sure to watch that one. Even though I haven’t been a kid for a long time and don’t have one around at the moment, I love indulging my inner child during the holidays. Happy Holidays to you too!