The Conscious Holiday Season: How to Lead, Give, and Rest with Intention

“A conscious holiday season isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.”

Rethinking the Holiday Hustle

For years, I used to call December “Dread-ember.”

Not because I disliked the celebrations, but because the season always seemed to arrive with an overwhelming list of expectations: wrapping up client projects, managing year-end finances, organizing family gatherings, balancing work events, thoughtful giving to EVERYONE, scheduling end-of-year appreciation activities, and pretending I had the energy for it all.

As both a business owner and a mom, I found myself stretched too thin between work and home — not fully present in either and resenting the demands from both. I wanted to enjoy the season, but I was too busy surviving it.

Over time, I’ve realized the holidays don’t have to be a season of stress. They can be a season of strategy, reflection, and peace — if we approach them consciously.

As a business coach, I help professionals and entrepreneurs plan their time with intention every day. December is no exception. Conscious leadership during the holidays means aligning your plans, your pace, and your people with what truly matters — not just to your business, but to your well-being.

Part One: Leading Your Business Through the Holiday Season

Plan for Calm, Not Chaos

The first step in finding peace is planning for it.

I often help clients realize that the difference between an exhausted December and an enjoyable one usually comes down to two weeks of planning in November. Like me. Right now. Writing this in November 😊.

Start by identifying your non-negotiables:

• What absolutely needs to get done before the holidays?

• What can wait until January?

• What would make December feel manageable?

Then communicate those boundaries clearly — to your clients, your staff, and even your family. A short email outlining closure dates or project deadlines saves everyone from confusion and expectations later.

For example, say you are a clinic owner and you are trying to decide when to close the clinic. Reflect on last year:

• When did you close and what did you learn?

• Do clients no-show or cancel more on the days before Christmas?

• Do staff compete for the time off?

• Was it very busy because people are finishing their benefit plans?

Either way, planning the times and dates to open and close needs to happen early. It needs to be transparent, fair, and based on what the business and the people in it need.  

Prepare Your Team for Time Off

If you manage a team, start talking about vacation time early. Who’s away when? How will responsibilities be covered? Do you have a process for people to request vacation time? A cut-off for their requests so you can plan coverage?

Even in small teams, this can be done gracefully. Use shared calendars or digital checklists to track key deliverables and assign a clear point person for questions while you or they are away.

And if you’re a solopreneur (as many of my readers are), your “team” might be technology. Schedule invoices, emails, or content in advance. Let automation take the lead while you take a break.

Rest doesn’t just happen; it’s built.

Budget for the Break

A practical but often overlooked step is financial planning. If your income dips during the holidays, plan for it now. Create a “December buffer” by saving a portion of your fall revenue or structuring retainers that carry into the new year.

That way, time off doesn’t feel like lost income — it feels like an earned, intentional investment in yourself.

And balance your budget accordingly. Me? For 2025, I need to take most of December off. Not completely by “choice” but certainly the best “choice” given the options I had. Knowing December would be “low revenue” meant November looked very different. My holiday expenditures will shift accordingly.

Part Two: Giving with Intention

The B.U.M. Approach to Holiday Giving

I’ve written before about the Beautiful, Useful, Meaningful (B.U.M.) gifting framework. It’s a simple way to align your generosity with your values.

Before buying or sending a single thing, ask yourself:

1. Is it Beautiful?
   Support local artisans or small businesses. Choose gifts that delight the senses — items that are handmade, locally sourced, or designed with care. Examples: artisan candles, plantable bookmarks, local honey, pottery, or a local coffee roaster’s blend.

2. Is it Useful?
   Avoid clutter. Choose gifts that get used daily - practical gifts like notebooks, reusable water bottles or mugs, ergonomic tools, reminder calendars, or digital charity cards are often the most appreciated.

3. Is it Meaningful?
   Add a story or handwritten note. Show connection through the gift representing you, or what you know about the recipient. Do you know their favorite coffee spot? Show them you pay attention and notice. 

When businesses give consciously, they’re not just saying “thank you.” They’re saying “we see you,” “we care,” and “we value what matters.”

Rethink the Party

If the thought of hosting a glitter-filled corporate party makes you cringe, you’re not alone. Many of my clients have shifted from traditional celebrations to experiences that foster connection and gratitude instead.

Think about:

• Hosting a catered lunch instead of a late-night event.

• Volunteering together as a team.

• Offering a wellness day or flexible time off.

• Create a uniting experience – craft, learning opportunity, or fun event.

The goal isn’t to outdo other companies or to create the “look how awesome we are” social post — it’s to create space for genuine connection and rest.

Part Three: Rest as a Business Strategy

The Courage to Unplug

Rest is not a reward for hard work — it’s part of the work.

And yet, many entrepreneurs struggle to disconnect. I’ve had clients admit they bring laptops on vacation “just in case.” But the truth is, our creativity, problem-solving, and leadership all depend on periods of recovery.

When I got my tattoo that reads “Pause. Be. Connect to Joy,” it was a personal reminder to practice what I preach. The more I pause, the better I lead — and the same is true for every entrepreneur I coach.

How to Make Rest Possible

• Automate what you can.

• Communicate expectations early.

• Physically separate from work — shut the laptop, silence notifications, leave the office.

• Set competitive goals with yourself if you need to – gamify it – can I get my screen time to under “X?” Can I reduce my phone “pick-ups” to below X? Leave it in another room? Not use it for a day? Challenge yourself.

• Give yourself permission to stop before you’re burnt out.

Even a short digital detox can reset your perspective. You return clearer, calmer, and more capable.

When You Lead Differently, Others Follow

When business owners model rest, boundaries, and mindfulness, they give permission for their teams to do the same. It’s a cultural ripple effect.

Imagine what would happen if your workplace normalized balance — where rest wasn’t just tolerated, but expected.

That’s conscious leadership. And it starts with you.

Part Four: Reflection Over Perfection

Ending the Year with Clarity

Before jumping into goal-setting for January, pause to reflect. Ask yourself:

• What worked this year?

• What challenged me the most?

• What do I want to do differently next year?

This reflection is the foundation for sustainable growth. Without it, you risk repeating the same cycle of overcommitment that makes every December feel the same.

You can design your “year-end celebration” to who YOU are and why YOU are the one your team chooses to align with. Don’t want to do fancy? Do practical. Don’t want gifts? Do a gratitude exercise. One of my leaders had her team write a “word” to describe each of their colleagues, and they had these “words” put into an image and framed with their name. Now, in their office, they have a daily reminder of all the wonderful things their colleagues see in them. What a great gift.

Coaching Reflection

Take five minutes with these prompts before the season begins:

• What would a conscious holiday season look like for you?

• Where can you simplify or delegate to make space for rest?

• How can you align your giving with your business values?

• What will you choose to say “no” to this December, so you can say “yes” to what matters?

Closing Thoughts

This season, challenge the narrative that busyness equals success.

Your business doesn’t need you to do more — it needs you to lead better. That means setting boundaries, giving thoughtfully, and making time to pause.

A conscious holiday season isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.

And presence, as any good leader knows, is the most powerful gift you can give — to your clients, your team, and yourself.