The Super Side Note: Holiday Magic without the Meltdown

My footnotes for keeping it together & making spirits bright(er) during the holiday season

Kicking off the week with a #SuperSideNote on a Monday—because who doesn’t need a little boost after a long holiday weekend? My hope for you is that the gratitude of last week carries into the days ahead and that, as we dive headfirst into the holiday season, you find even more to savor.

An extra warm welcome to anyone new here—I'm so glad you’ve joined! While this is mostly a needlepoint blog, the #SuperSideNote is where I share everything beyond the stitches (you can find the origin story linked here). Your time is valuable, and my goal is to make every moment you spend here feel like time well spent.

‘Tis the damn season and with it comes the whirlwind of to-do lists, glittery chaos, and the occasional existential crisis over basically anything. Today’s post is all about the little things that help me simplify the season (and stay sane-ish) with humor, grace and maybe even a little extra time to enjoy the magic.

Tip #1. Keep your tupperware and your sanity

If there’s one holiday hassle I could do without, it’s the endless game of “Whose Tupperware is this?” To avoid the headache, we use these white boxes from Amazon for all the leftovers we send home with our holiday guests. I stock up on them year-round, but they’re especially handy during the holidays.

BONUS: These boxes also make the perfect packaging for gifting baked goods to neighbors and friends (linked here in a smaller size). Add a sprig of greenery, a festive bow, a gift tag (love these & these) and voilà—your homemade treats go from simple to chic with almost zero effort.

Tip #2: Save Your Boxes

Save the random boxes you are receiving now to use for gift wrapping in the upcoming weeks. It may seem silly but you will be amazed at how quickly you re-use them. If you are in a real pinch for a gift box, use one of the white boxes from Tip #1. Take the money you would spend on purchasing tons of gift boxes and take yourself on a coffee date.

Tip #3: Pick Out Your Outfit Now

Yes NOW and yes YOU.

Think of one holiday event or soiree that you are attending or hosting and pick out an outfit you love for it now (instead of scrambling and settling last minute). Start by shopping in your closet or scoop up something really fab that is most likely on sale today. Having an outfit on deck that you love will make you feel more polished than your table setting.

#SuperSideNote: JCrew and JCrew Factory (my favorite places to shop) are currently doing a wild Cyber Monday sale with everything 50% - 60% off. Run don’t walk. Your future self will thank you.

Tip #4: Stamp of Approval

If you haven’t already, this is your reminder to get your holiday stamps now. Not sure how many you need? Guess. It is much less stressful to run out for (1) extra book of stamps vs. (10) during the month of December.

Tip #5: Be Your Own Magic Maker

Dedicate 25 minutes a day to yourself.
This time of year can get very out-of-hand very fast. It is imperative to make it a priority to carve out at least 25 minutes each day for something that brings you joy. For me, it’s needlepoint—a small but essential ritual that grounds me. Whatever your passion may be, embrace it daily, because showing up fully for others starts with first showing up for yourself.

#SuperSideNote: I recently discovered these shower steamers and WHOA. They have been the *perfect* way to unwind at the end of the day (or to start the day a little less stressed). I highly recommend them for you or if you need a gift for truly anyone. They are *that good*.

Ultimately, the holidays aren’t about flawless execution—they’re about the beautifully imperfect moments that make them meaningful. My hope is that these tips and handpicked favorites help you swap stress for ease, and leave you with more time to embrace what truly matters.

Lest we forget, the most cherished holiday memories are never about getting everything just “right”—they’re about being fully present, ideally with something festive in hand and a heart full of joy.

P.S. If you are in need of a palette cleanse from the holiday music, I have just the thing

❤️ Thank you for being here and for supporting my readership. This publication may contain affiliate links from which I receive a very small commission - this is what allows me to keep this publication 100% free.