17 Ways to Make the Most of the Week Between Christmas and New Year’s
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a period of time I look forward to all year long. At The Everygirl, we’re lucky enough to get this whole week off work to relax and recharge before the start of the new year. After the chaos of the holiday season, a week off work feels like the very best kind of gift. If you’re in the same boat but aren’t sure what you’ll do during the last week of the year, I’m here to help you take full advantage of that precious time off.
Whether you want to check some things off your to-do list or kick back and take it easy, I’ve rounded up some activities that I always try to do during this period away from work. Don’t let your hard-earned free time go to waste! Here are some of the best things you can do to make the most of the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
1. Hit the movie theater
So many fantastic movies hit theaters on Christmas Day, but the likelihood of actually getting to see one amid all the festivities is slim. If you need something to do during the following week, check what’s playing at your local theater and plan a cozy movie day. If you’re more into nostalgia than the latest release, many theaters also screen classic films around this time of year. Throw on your comfiest sweats, grab the biggest size of popcorn they’ve got, and settle into your recliner to unwind.
2. Practice random acts of kindness
The holiday season comes with a lot of joy, but it can also be a challenging time for a lot of us as well. Maybe the person in line behind you at Starbucks is spending the holidays alone for the first time, grieving a recent loss, or just isn’t close with family in a season that’s all about embracing it. The truth is, we don’t always know what someone else is going through, and sometimes a small act of kindness can reach people who need it more than we realize. Pay for a stranger’s coffee, leave a generous tip, drop off homemade treats on a neighbor’s stoop, or volunteer your time—even small gestures like this can make someone feel seen.
3. Finalize resolutions or goals
You don’t need to wait until New Year’s Eve to start thinking about your goals for 2026. Get ahead by writing them down before life ramps back up. Make it an event with vision boards and manifesting, or simplify things with a few quick ideas in your notes app. If resolutions aren’t your thing, that’s OK—these don’t have to be life-changing goals. They can simply be intentions to guide the energy you want 2026 to bring. If you’d rather skip resolutions altogether, you can use this time to reflect on 2025 instead of planning for the future.
4. Enjoy your favorite comfort foods
Coming home for the holidays always makes me want to retreat into the nostalgia of things I enjoyed as a kid. Naturally, that includes food, which is why I love revisiting old favorite recipes this time of year. For a cozy, low-key evening, grab a box of mac and cheese, recreate a classic family recipe, or bake a batch of homemade cookies, then throw on a cheesy holiday movie and melt between couch cushions. Even if eating healthier is one of your goals for the new year, treating yourself to the foods that make you feel good can also be wellness. Give yourself a break and enjoy some of your favorite comfort foods.
5. Try a new hobby
One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is when all the craziness dies down, and I can sit peacefully in front of a 1,000-piece puzzle for hours. I’m not sure if puzzling technically counts as a hobby, but in my world, it absolutely does. If you have an unfinished knitting project (or have always wanted to start one), feel influenced by adult coloring books, or need to take a break from your family that doesn’t involve sitting in front of the TV, now’s the perfect time to try something new—or dust off an old hobby.
6. Move your body
Obviously, relaxation is the number one priority during this break, but I know that after a few days of sitting around, my body starts to crave exercise. I’m not suggesting you run a marathon, but getting out of the house for a workout—maybe a class you’ve been wanting to try but haven’t yet—is a great way to break up your day. If even driving to the gym or studio feels like too much effort, a walk around the block or a 20-minute yoga flow video on YouTube can have the same restorative effect.
7. Binge-watch a show
Who says that every moment of your time off needs to be productive? It certainly doesn’t—maybe all you want to do after a stressful year at work is simply kick back and veg out. So many great shows have come out with new seasons recently, and if you haven’t gotten a chance to stream the latest Stranger Things or Emily in Paris episodes yet… well, now you know what you’re doing for the rest of the week! If the weather outside is particularly dreary, even better! You officially have plenty to do while cooped up indoors.
8. Treat yourself
As holly jolly as the holidays are, they can also be incredibly stressful. You’ve made it through this year’s festivities, so it’s time to pat yourself on the back. Maybe treating yourself means stopping at a coffee shop instead of making it at home, or cashing in the gift certificate for a massage you received under the tree. Whatever it is, reward yourself without guilt. It will help you decompress from the holiday pressure, so by the time 2026 rolls around, you’ll be completely zen.
9. Tackle an organizing project
I always find that tackling an organizing project during my time off (even if it’s a small one) always makes me feel productive and ready to start the new year on the right foot. My hall closet, for example, always reverts to a danger zone no matter how much I try to stay on top of things, so I like to give it a big clean-out once a quarter. Determine one way you can streamline your life before January rolls around. Maybe that means finally sorting through your expansive collection of beauty products or taking unwanted clothing to a donation center. Trust me, you’ll feel much better after setting aside an hour or two to get organized ahead of the new year!
10. Shop post-holiday sales
Are those holiday gift cards burning a hole in your wallet already? I’m with you. I love shopping post-Christmas sales to stock up on items I’ve had my eye on all season long. The day after Christmas, for example, is a great time to head to Target and grab heavily discounted holiday decor to tuck away for next year (for years, my mom, sister, and I would do this all together, which was always a blast). Maybe online shopping is more your speed, which makes things even easier. Change into your comfiest clothes and spend a cozy morning scouring the internet for the best deals of the year. Keep an eye out for sales on items you’ll rely upon throughout the year: makeup and skincare products, bedding, travel gear, and more.
11. Try a new self-care ritual
Turn one of your slow evenings into a mini self-care ritual that breaks away from your typical routine. Light a candle while you shower or take a bath, try out a new body scrub or hair mask, or throw on a cozy robe for your nightly wind-down routine. The point is to give your body and mind a little pampering and a moment to exhale. Consider it a reset before the noise of the new year kicks back in.
12. Get closer to that yearly reading goal
Whether you aimed to finish 10 books this year or you’re well on your way to 100, there’s no time like the week between Christmas and New Year’s to finish your TBR list. Once you’re done with that last novel, make a list of your top titles of 2025 and share them with fellow book-loving friends. Then pre-order a few reads that you’re excited about for 2026! I love checking my mail to find a novel that I ordered months back; it’s the perfect mini-surprise.
13. Catch up with friends and loved ones
Given that many people are off work the week between Christmas and New Year’s, this can be a great time to schedule those long-overdue coffee dates, happy hours, and everything else you wish you had time for during the rest of the year. I love using this period as a chance to catch up with long-distance loved ones, too. Text your college crew and get some FaceTime dates on the calendar, or take some time to finally call your grandma as you take a leisurely afternoon stroll. As a bonus: If you’ll be spending this period of time alone, chatting with loved ones will help you feel a bit more connected to those who care about you.
14. Whip up a nutritious new recipe
After weeks of holiday treats, you might be craving something a little more nutritious. Why not use your free time to try out a new healthy recipe that you’ll be able to replicate throughout the year? I’m always looking for new workday lunches, and by perfecting a recipe now, I’ll be less likely to run to Sweetgreen every time I’m craving kale. One of my favorite places to source new recipes is Pinterest—I like to save a few meal ideas that look good and then pull them up while at the grocery store to ensure I gather all the necessary ingredients.
15. Play tourist in your own city
How often do you get to stroll around your city on a weekday? Take advantage of your time off work and book tickets to a theater matinee, check out that new museum, or simply admire all the holiday lights one more time before they come down. Even if traveling is off the table during your break from work, pretend to be a tourist in your own city by indulging in activities that you wouldn’t normally do on a weekday. Living in New York City, for example, I would love to spend a slow December morning at the Met followed by a delicious weekday brunch and a brisk stroll through Central Park.
16. Write a letter to your future self
If goals or vision boards aren’t your thing, but you want to embrace some form of forward-thinking ritual for yourself, try writing a letter to future you instead. Think about what her life might be like, what she’s working towards, and what might still be quietly holding her back. Remind her how far she’s come this year, and share some words of kindness or wisdom. When you open it again next year, even the smallest shifts can then feel like proof of how much you’ve accomplished and a reminder that you’re still progressing, even when it doesn’t always feel like it.
17. Test out a new bedtime routine
One of the best parts of the holidays? Finally getting to sleep in—or at the very least, catching up on all the sleep you missed during the chaos of Q4. This week’s slower pace is the perfect excuse to play around with a new bedtime routine you might actually stick with in 2026. Download a sleep app, mix up a sleepy girl mocktail, or try a calming ritual—like meditation or journaling—to help you wind down and get those extra Zs your body has been craving.
Sarah Lyon, Contributing Beauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and interior design enthusiast who currently lives in New York City. Her work focuses primarily on design and lifestyle topics ranging from decorating tips to beauty advice to travel guides.
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
Madigan Will, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Madigan writes and edits content for every topic under the digital media sun. As the oldest of four siblings, she enjoys utilizing her big sister persona to connect and inspire readers—helping them discover new ways to maximize their everyday.
The post 17 Ways to Make the Most of the Week Between Christmas and New Year’s appeared first on The Everygirl.
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