Savor and Sparkle: How to Actually Enjoy the Holidays (Instead of Just Surviving Them)

This year, don’t surrender to the holiday chaos—shape it.

Choose celebration over excess, connection over obligation, and self-care over exhaustion.

The holidays don’t have to leave you drained or disconnected.
When you trade “getting through it” for Savor and Sparkle, you bring intention to the season—balancing joy with nourishment, gratitude with energy, and celebration with calm.

You can move through these weeks feeling centered, fulfilled, and excited about how you’ll step into 2026—aligned with your values and proud of how you cared for yourself.

From Overwhelm to Intention

Years ago, when my kids were young, we hosted what everyone called “the best Passover seders.” I spent weeks planning and several days preparing. I wanted every detail to be meaningful and beautiful. And it was — until the last guest left. I remember crumpling to the ground in tears, completely spent. We had loved every moment, but I wish I had modeled better balance — that you can create something wonderful without emptying yourself in the process.

Now, I approach the holidays differently. I still plan and prepare, but I also build in quiet time before and after big gatherings. It’s not about doing less — it’s about doing it with intention, so I can actually enjoy what I’ve created.

So before your invitations and obligations take over, take a pause.
Look at your calendar and ask: What keeps me grounded? What helps me feel like myself?

Those moments—your anchor points—are your guideposts for the season.
They can be simple and flexible: a quiet morning walk before guests wake up, ten minutes of stretching before bed, or a shared cup of tea and reflection with a loved one.

Even when you’re traveling or hosting, you can weave these anchor points into your rhythm. With a little anticipation, you can pace yourself gracefully. They can be solo or shared experiences—the point is to stay connected to what restores you.

Celebrate the Season with Nourishing Abundance

Holiday food can be both festive and feel-good—it’s all about intention and ingredients.
Let nature’s winter palette guide you. Think of roasted vegetables drizzled with balsamic, fresh citrus salads, warm grains, and hearty soups that invite conversation and laughter — the kind of food that comforts without weighing you down.

• For a special breakfast, try my Banana Buckwheat Pancakes —a cozy, gluten-free favorite.

• Or bake a batch of Main Muffins  (made with pumpkin and prunes) for an easy grab-and-go snack.

• A platter of colorful fruits and vegetables—persimmons, apples, pears, oranges, and sugar snap peas, cucumbers, carrots, multi-colored bell peppers—is always beautiful and crowd-pleasing. If possible, buy fresh instead of prepackaged; the taste is truly incomparable. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly they disappear!

Make it interactive:
Set up an Oatmeal Bar with toppings like walnuts, chia seeds, sliced bananas, cinnamon, and roasted apples.
Or create a Mocktail Station with sparkling water, fresh fruit slices and seasonal juices (cranberry, pomegranate), fresh herbs, and even bitters—fun, festive, and restorative.

Hydration is the simplest and most overlooked way to support your energy and focus. Alternate every cocktail or glass of wine with a glass of sparkling or still water. Keep filled pitchers of infused* water available for guests, hot kettles with a basket of teas, and flavored sparkling water. They look festive, and the gentle flavor encourages everyone (including you) to drink more throughout the day.

Move in Ways That Make You Feel Alive

Movement is your secret to staying energized and emotionally balanced. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to happen.

• Take a morning gratitude walk before the big meal.

• Play your favorite music and dance while you cook.

• Try a 10-minute yoga practice before bed. You can do it right next to your bed!

• Invite guests on a post-dinner stroll under the lights instead of collapsing on the couch.

Movement keeps you steady through the season—physically strong and mentally centered. It’s not about burning calories; it’s about nurturing your vitality.

Travel with Grace and Grounding

Traveling during the holidays can be both exciting and exhausting. The key is to protect your rhythm—your sleep, hydration, and calm—so you arrive feeling centered instead of spent.

Bring simple, nourishing snacks—nuts, fruit, or energy bites—and keep a refillable water bottle handy. Air travel and heated indoor spaces can dehydrate you faster than you think.

During layovers or road stops, take a few minutes to walk, stretch, and soak in natural light—small movements that make a big difference.

When it comes to sleep, protect it like you would any essential appointment. Adjust gently to new hours: dim lights earlier, avoid caffeine late in the day, and bring small comforts like an eye mask or soft playlist. If you’re hosting, build in short rest breaks so you can stay present and energized.  You can learn more about supporting sleep through the holidays in my post, Sleep: From Sacrifice to Sacred.

When you arrive at your destination, step outside and take a few deep breaths. Notice the air, the sounds, the light—it’s a quick, calming reset for your body and mind. Expose yourself to morning sunlight and align your eating and sleeping to the new time zone to adjust your circadian rhythm to your new location. These small choices help your body adjust naturally and keep your sparkle intact.

Choose Peace Over Pressure

Family gatherings can be joyful, but they can also bring up old emotions.
Instead of focusing on managing everyone else’s energy, shift your attention to gratitude and grace.

When you center your thoughts on what you appreciate—the meal, the laughter, the togetherness—you’ll naturally stay calm and open-hearted.

Affirmation practice:
Try beginning your morning or centering between events by saying:

“I am grateful for the love that surrounds me.”
“I bring calm, kindness, and gratitude wherever I go.”
“I focus on what’s good, and I let the rest go.”

These simple statements transform the day’s energy. Gratitude grounds you in abundance instead of anxiety—it’s the fastest way to reclaim peace and presence.

Make Wellness Its Own Celebration

Wellness isn’t something to earn after the holidays—it’s the essence of celebration itself.

Design your own Savor and Sparkle rituals that honor presence and gratitude:

• Take a mindful pause before meals to acknowledge the bounty of food you have access to and enjoy.

• Keep a Joy Journal where you write down one nourishing moment or act of kindness each day.

• Invite loved ones to share what they’re grateful for at the table or during a quiet evening moment.

These simple practices help you stay connected to meaning—reminding you that joy isn’t found in excess, but in appreciation.

Give with Heart, Receive with Presence

This season, let your gifts reflect your values—connection, wellness, and gratitude.

Healthy Hostess Gift Ideas:

• A bottle of flavored vinegar—think fig balsamic, blood orange, or rosemary pear. It’s beautiful, practical, and elevates any salad or roasted vegetable dish.
• A basket of seasonal fruit including fresh herbs tied with twine.
• A homemade recipe with recipe card.
• A bag of Sweet Debbie’s Organic Granola—a nutrient-dense, allergy-friendly treat that’s handmade in small batches and always plant-based.
• A mocktail kit including a bottle of sparkling mineral water with rosemary sprigs or pomegranate seeds, and some healthy flavoring (pomegranate juice)
• A cozy wellness basket with herbal tea, a small gratitude journal, and dark chocolate.
• A box of decorative notecards and a nice pen (maybe even some postal stamps?

When you give with heart and receive with presence, your holidays become lighter, more meaningful, and full of authentic joy.

Rest as a Sacred Ritual

Sleep and rest are your invisible superpowers. They restore your mood, metabolism, and resilience—especially in busy, social seasons. 

• Skip alcohol most nights—it may help you fall asleep, but it disrupts deep rest.

• Set aside a "wind down" (not "wine down") period before getting in bed. That may be turning lights to dim and lowering the volume (or turning off) music and TV.

• Take a few minutes of stillness to check in with your body. Do a few gentle stretches or deep breaths before turning in. 

Prioritizing sleep isn’t selfish—it’s essential. It will help you stay healthy through the holiday season and enjoy yourself and your guests!

A Season of Transformation

The real transformation of this season isn’t about doing more — it’s about living with more awareness, more gratitude, and more joy.

When you choose nourishment over numbness and connection over chaos, you’re not just surviving the holidays — you’re practicing a way of being that carries into the new year.

Every year, I remind myself that the holidays don’t have to be a performance. They can be a practice — of presence, gratitude, and grace.

When I pause to savor and sparkle — even for a moment — I feel most connected to what matters.
And I hope you do too.

That’s the essence of being Sexy in Your 60s—living with intention, radiance, and energy through every season of life.

A Holiday Season Blessing

May your days be filled with color, laughter, and gratitude for life’s simple joys.
May you find peace in your pauses and warmth in your connections.
May your table be abundant, your sleep be restorative, and your body be nourished and strong.
And may you enter the new year grounded, grateful, and glowing—
ready to savor and sparkle in all that’s ahead.

A Holiday Gift from Me to You

If you’re hosting guests this season, take time to care for yourself, too. I’ve created a short guided meditation for finding calm amid the holiday bustle, Savor & Sparkle Reset Meditation — a practice you can use before gatherings, between activities, or whenever you need to reset.

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If you're ready to carry your "Savor & Sparkle" spirit into the new year...                                            The next cohort of my Sexy in Your 60s program begins in early 2026, guiding you to turn these seasonal practices into lifelong rhythms of vitality and joy.

Join the waitlist for early access, insider bonuses, and special resources to start 2026 feeling aligned, nourished, and confident.

Join the Sexy in Your 60s Waitlist  — because thriving through the holidays is just the beginning.