Slow Down for the Season: Mindful Rituals to Bring Calm & Clarity to Your Christmas Week

A Gentle Pause Before the Holiday Rush

As we approach the Christmas holiday season, there is a new rhythm in our lives. This new rhythm is often faster than any other time of year because we all have so many activities to do (running errands, preparing meals, purchasing gifts) as well as the constant pressure that comes from so many expectations being placed on us. However, when you look closer, most people will find that what they are really seeking is something much simpler: a little peace and quiet, a feeling of purpose, a moment to breathe and just "be."

Many mindful Christmas rituals provide for both of those things: small, simple and accessible rituals that can help people slow down and get back in touch with their intentions while also helping them relax in what can often be an overwhelming season. And like all of the artisans who create the hand-crafted Bodhi Press pieces in Nepal with great patience and presence, these types of mindful Christmas rituals allow you to navigate the holidays with steadiness versus urgency.

Create a Morning Grounding Ritual

The best way to set the tone for your entire Christmas week is to start your day off slow. The majority of the artisans we collaborate with start their day by following some sort of 'quiet' ritual (i.e., light stretching, practicing gratitude, sitting in silence) before using any tools or starting any tasks.

Create this 'mindful' rhythm in your own home by:

• Drinking your first cup of coffee/tea in complete silence and without electronic devices.
• Lighting a natural candle or burning some incense, then taking five deep slow breaths.
• Writing one sentence of intention in a handmade journal.
• Opening a window to let in some fresh air for one minute, even if it's cold outside.

These rituals are meant to be simple and easy to do, not perfect or complex. They are designed as gentle reminders to help you create space for yourself and be present for the people who come into contact with you. A few minutes focused on setting an intention can have a positive effect on your entire day.

Internal Link Prompt: Link “handmade journal” to your journal product.

Refresh Your Space with Purposeful Minimalism

A Mind Grounded is a Mind Grounded in a Space Grounded. In Nepal, the studios where artisans create journals, textiles, and accessories are stripped down to allow just the essentials of creating. They are minimally made because they are intentional about how they arrange their workspace, and that minimalism supports their creativity.

This same intentional approach can be applied during the week leading up to Christmas.
To do so, you’ll want to pick a small area (for example; the coffee table, the entry-way, or the shelf next to your bed) that you want to declutter and give you some space to make a decision about which items belong in the space.

So, first, take any items that create visual clutter (i.e. anything that draws your attention away from what you are looking at) out of that area.

You will want to keep only those items that bring you peace and/or serve a function.

Finally, consider adding a natural element to your minimal space, whether it’s a woven basket, an upcycled piece of fabric, or a soft texture.

Simply put, Minimalism is the practice of choosing what is important and removing the rest. The difference between being a minimalist and being perfect really depends on the person, and in the middle of a busy week during the Christmas season could be an unexpectedly grounding process.

Embrace Slow Gifting

Gifting can take on more meaning when it’s done thoughtfully; that is to say, what you give should have meaning to the recipient. Slow gifting is not a quantity-based model, but rather a quality-based model of selecting useful items that meet your criteria.

In Nepal, for example, all handmade products tell the story of how they were made, the traditions surrounding them, and the organizations creating the opportunity for artisans to be able to work ethically.

When you purchase artisan-produced items during the holiday season, you support:

• Natural and sustainable fibers and materials.

• Fabrics that have been up-cycled to eliminate excess waste.

• Makers who receive fair and ethical compensation.

• Functional, rather than disposable, products.

Many shoppers in the United States have begun the transition to giving gifts of significance, typically ranging from $50-$150. These are gifts that carry more personal meaning and that provide practical, but mindful, service to their recipients.

In addition, slow gifting allows the giver to create a deeper relationship with their recipient through the act of making a connection with them, rather than simply completing their task of buying a gift.

Set an Evening Unwind Ritual

As Christmas week approaches, we are often busy with last minute wrapping, cooking and planning. However, by creating a simple wind-down routine, it can affect how the rest of your week feels. You can take inspiration from the crafters/creators who close out their days intentionally, folding fabric neatly, aligning tools, taking those moments to pause and appreciate their efforts, and establish your own calming transition:

• Use a comfy woven shawl/warm blanket to wrap yourself up.

• Turn off strong over-head lighting and replace it with warmer softer light

•  Sip on herbal tea as you listen to something tranquil.

•  Shut off your cell phone for at least 20 minutes before going to bed.

• Allow yourself several minutes to read or write in a journal.

This short time frame allows you to move from the busyness of the day into resting. It also allows you time to release the holiday responsibilities off your mind and refocus on what is truly important in life.

Reconnect Through Intentional Moments

Mindful Christmas rituals aren’t only for quiet moments alone, they also support more meaningful connections with the people you love. Instead of filling your calendar with back-to-back plans, choose a few simple ways to be present:

• Take a leisurely stroll after dinner with loved ones. 

• Spend time on a chilly winter afternoon, snuggled on the couch with warm beverages, whilst catching up. 

• Have a 10-minute conversation without any television or phone distractions

Create a collaborative Christmas tradition (such as lighting candles with love and gratitude) or cooking/eating lunch/dinner together as a simple ritual. These moments often end up becoming the most memorable events and are an example of creating closeness through shared experiences rather than through mutually enjoyable experiences.

Artisan Spotlight: The Rhythm of Slow Making

Bodhi Press hangs his hat on artisans with an unwavering craft that surrounds each product; artisans who comprise several empowerment organisations in Nepal embrace modern sustainable practices and retain traditional skills.

The qualities embodied in their work:

• Patience

• Generational Skill Resilience

• Honouring Nature and Using UpCraft Materials

• Caring Deeply for Each Finished Product

To hold one of our handmade journals or textiles is to hold the result of many hours of thoughtful, focused work; this way of making slowly and with intention brings to mind the fact that we do not have to wait for calmness - we must cultivate it.

This Christmas Week, Choose Ease Over Urgency

Amid the busyness of the season, mindful Christmas rituals offer a path back to clarity. Whether you’re refreshing a small corner of your home, writing morning intentions, or giving a handmade gift, each choice helps you shift from overwhelm to ease.

A slower holiday isn’t about doing less; it’s about being more present.
It’s about honoring the people who craft the things you love, and honoring yourself by creating space for calm.

When you’re ready to bring more mindfulness into your season:

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