Finding Calm and Connection During the Holiday Season

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Founder & Clinical Director, Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.

Posted: December 18, 2025

A Different Kind of Christmas

As I write this, I’m sitting in the Dominican Republic with my family, soaking in the sunshine and treasuring the time we have together. A few years ago, we decided to stop buying piles of gifts for our children who are now adults, and instead focus on building something more meaningful: memories.

Every December, instead of wrapping boxes, we pack our bags and go on a trip together. It’s not about the destination as much as it is about connection, laughter, and shared experiences. This year, it looks like sunshine and beaches. Other years, it’s looked different. What matters most is the time spent together.

I know this isn’t possible for everyone. Vacations are a privilege, and not all families can choose this path. But the bigger message is one that can apply to all of us: sometimes the best gift is time, connection, and presence, not things.

The Holiday Season Can Be Stressful

Back home in Canada, December can feel overwhelming. There’s pressure to spend, pressure to host, pressure to say yes to every gathering, and pressure to create a picture-perfect holiday. Many people find themselves drained by the time the big day arrives.

It’s important to remember: your holiday season doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It can be simple, quiet, playful, adventurous, or a mix of all of these. What matters is that it works for you and your loved ones.

A Winter Bucket List

For those staying close to home, a winter bucket list can bring joy and mindfulness into the season. Here are some ideas to spark inspiration:

• Take a nighttime walk to look at holiday lights

• Build a snowman or snow fort with your children (or grandchildren!)

• Try skating at a local outdoor rink

• Have a pajama-and-movie day with hot chocolate

• Write letters of gratitude to people who’ve impacted your life this year

• Bake and share cookies with neighbours or friends

• Start a puzzle or board game tradition with family

• Try something creative—painting, knitting, journaling

  
  

• Bundle up and take a mindful walk in the crisp winter air

• Volunteer or donate to a local charity in need

Finding Calm and Self-Care

The holidays can stir up a lot—stress, grief, loneliness, or reminders of what we don’t have. That’s why finding calm is so important. Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate. It can be as simple as:

• Saying no to one thing so you can say yes to rest

• Taking 10 minutes to breathe deeply or meditate

• Reading a book by the fire with a blanket

• Journaling about your hopes for the new year

• Allowing yourself to cry or reflect if grief is part of your story this season

• Reaching out for support instead of isolating when things feel heavy

For me, sitting here with my family, I’m reminded that peace often comes from being fully present. Whether it’s on a beach in the Dominican or at a kitchen table back home in Nova Scotia, the heart of the holidays is connection, care, and creating space for joy and rest.

Final Thoughts

The holidays do not need to be perfect to be meaningful. Whether you are celebrating in the sun, building snow forts, or simply surviving a difficult season, your story matters. You are allowed to create traditions that bring peace, not pressure.

This year, I am grateful for the gift of time with my family. I hope you find ways to give yourself the same gift—whether through moments of laughter, quiet reflection, or small acts of self-care that remind you that you matter.

Sign-Off

Wishing you calm, connection, and meaningful moments this holiday season,

Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Founder & Clinical Director

Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.