4 ways I treat myself during the holidays—all free

I’ll admit it: I buy a $7 oat milk cappuccino and chocolate croissant before I run errands on Saturdays. My friends call it “Meg Day” when they have yoga classes and an afternoon of shopping.

December Meg is different. as the vast majority of AmericansI can’t help but feel stressed around the holidays. I have to tighten my budget to make sure I can afford cranberry-flavored cocktails at holiday parties and the $80 Skims bodysuit on my sister’s wish list — or risk credit card debt.

But when it’s cold, dark, and airports are full of people who act like they’ve never been through the TSA line before, I need extra energy to meet my year-end deadlines. So I found a happy medium. I continue my self-care routine regardless of the usual limit, but substitute activities that cost $0.

Here are four ways I’m giving myself a little extra time this holiday season that aren’t chores and don’t cost a dime.

Free attractions

Every city I’ve lived in, big or small, is filled with free or inexpensive community events around the twinkling lights and holidays.

In New York, where I currently live, museums often have free or discounted hours. You can find other free events here – like tango lessons, silent discos or stargazing on The High Line – quite easily on social media.

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When I lived in Adrian, Michigan, I scoured local college, government, and news sites, plus Eventbrite pages and Facebook groups, to find events ranging from holiday concerts to tree-lighting ceremonies.

This year I’m attending the light show and going to the downtown Christmas market in Grand Rapids, Michigan with my family. My sister promises to help me avoid buying hot chocolate in a boot-shaped cup.

Window shopping

Dreaming about next year’s wardrobe instead of buying it is a fairly obvious way to save money if you have enough self-control. But window shopping is hard for me. I will never be able to resist Miista boots on sale.

Instead, I take different routes home so I can see as many holiday-decorated streets as possible—a different form of window shopping with less financial consequences. Sometimes someone will turn on the living room lights and I’ll see evergreen trees decorated with lights, giant reflective red lamps, and paper angels.

Some of my co-workers engage in similar activities that activate their senses, such as trying perfumes, buying candles, or patrolling the grocery store aisle for free samples. A smart suggestion is: Activate your five senses studies are an easy way to relieve anxiety.

Turn my living room into a cafe or my bathroom into a spa

I actually have two hobbies I’m good at—ice skating and writing—and at least 12 hobbies I’ve tried once and never tried again. I wish I had more time to absorb it all.

My editor had a good idea: Grab a cozy blanket, put on your favorite playlist, make yourself a fancy hot drink, and spend a few hours doing the activity of your choice. (Editor’s note: This guy seems pretty smart!)

I changed my ceiling lighting to lamps, put on The Beatles, and tried to complete the $25 crochet kit I bought on impulse online months ago. I sat under the covers, sipped my favorite cup of ginger tea, and after two hours I was energized – even though I had only completed three rows of my crocheted strawberry.

Between Christmas and New Years, I’ll be doing it again – this time as a DIY spa day, using countless beauty products I’ve collected over the years that I rarely use.

My editor will be pleased and probably not surprised to learn that his proposal is backed by science: One can do something creative make you a better problem solverPsychologists say. And the simple act of play can relieve stress and build social skills and mental toughness, no matter your age. research shows.

Meet up with an old friend – or don’t

The holidays can be celebratory, stressful, and comforting all at once, and everyone handles that tension differently. Some people benefit from scheduling phone calls with friends before or after group events, for example.

I’m actually quite the opposite: My social and family obligations tire me out because I feel like I have to be “on” most of my waking hours to meet everyone’s expectations. So for a few weeks before Christmas I schedule some “wall staring” time.

Being alone and quiet gives you time to thinkprocess difficult emotions and be more prepared when you’re ready to reconnect with the word, a professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania Justin McDaniel He told me in 2022. After sitting in silence for a few minutes, I scroll on my phone, watch Thanksgiving episodes of Gossip Girl, or do laundry.

Free time fills me up so I can argue with my family about which holiday movie to watch on Christmas Eve.

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