The holidays can be wonderful—but they’re not always easy. For many people, this season brings financial strain, complicated family dynamics, emotional reminders of loved ones who have passed, and the pressure of keeping up with events, travel, and traditions.
It’s understandable if you find yourself feeling extra stressed this time of year as you juggle work expectations, job searching, caregiving, school schedules, personal responsibilities, plus holiday shopping, parties, and additional obligations.
To help, we’ve created a practical checklist to help you stay organized, protect your mental health, and step into the new year with clarity … not burnout.
What Holiday Burnout Looks Like
Holiday burnout doesn’t always announce itself and it can creep up slowly before you even realize what’s happening. Watch for these signs:
- Fatigue, irritability, forgetfulness, and difficulty focusing
- Feeling behind on everything—work, school, home, and holiday prep
- Overspending or financial anxiety
- Emotional overwhelm or grief resurfacing during seasonal traditions
Acknowledging these feelings early can help you pivot where necessary by putting boundaries and routines in place to help you navigate the holidays with more confidence and less stress.
The Ultimate Holiday Checklist
Your brain deserves a holiday break, too, and while we know that’s almost impossible this time year, we can at least try to get as close as to a stress-free holiday as possible!
Use this to-do list to help keep you organized and ahead of the game.
Work Tasks
☐ Review deadlines between Thanksgiving and New Year’s so you can start working ahead if you need to.
☐ Set out-of-office dates early and notify your team so they can start working ahead as well.
☐ Identify your top 3 priorities each week/month and don’t deviate from your plan without vetting and delegating tasks to others.
☐ Prep recurring reports in advance so you have less to do when things really start to pick up.
☐ Block off focus time before meetings take over. Blocking fifteen minutes after meetings to finish notes and cross quick tasks off your list is a great way to stay productive while running from meeting to meeting.
☐ Schedule time on your calendar for end-of-year check-ins or required paperwork so you’re not doing them at the last minute or after hours.
School + After-School Activities
☐ Check school closures and early-dismissal days, add them to your personal and work calendar.
☐ Confirm winter concerts, plays, sporting events, and party dates, add them to your personal and work calendar.
☐ Add needed supplies (treats, donations, decorations) and teacher/coach gifts to your shopping list. Set a reminder in your phone to place online orders or to go to the store.
☐ Organize transportation or carpooling for your family on days when you are running on a tight schedule.
Holiday Prep
☐ Make a gift list with budgets to avoid overspending
☐ Plan holiday meals or potluck dishes in advance and add items to your shopping list.
☐ Order/ship gifts early when you can. Send out text messages today asking for gift ideas!
☐ Stock wrapping supplies and add them to your shopping list if you don’t have enough supplies right now.
☐ Schedule grocery pickup or delivery. Online shopping and grocery delivery can be such a mental health saver this time of year!
☐ Confirm travel, packing lists, and pet care by starting a shared note on your phone for the family. Everyone can add to the list, add dates, and take responsibility for tasks (you don’t have to do it all by yourself!).
☐ Choose holiday outfits now and stick with them when the time comes.
Self-Care + Stress Management
☐ Protect one “do nothing” night every week. Yes, this can be hard with sports events, holiday events, and everything else. If you can’t get a full night of “do nothing” then schedule a night where you go to bed early.
☐ Schedule medical, dental, and therapy appointments early or after the holidays.
☐ Add one fun or restorative activity for yourself and be stubborn about staying committed to it.
☐ Say “no” to extra commitments. Everyone needs volunteers and is asking for more of your time. Choose a cause or two that you’re most committed to and say “no” to the rest.
☐ Prioritize hydration, sleep, movement, and downtime to not only prevent burnout, but to also ensure you actually enjoy the holiday seasons, too.
Home & Family
☐ Declutter one small space each week and ask your family to help.
☐ Check winter gear by creating toss, donate, and keep piles for coats, boots, gloves. Move the donate pile to your vehicle, put away what you’re keeping, and toss the rest.
☐ Restock essentials. Now isn’t the time to run out of coffee, breakfast items, personal hygiene items, etc. so check to see what you need and add it to your shopping list.
☐ Add all upcoming events to a shared calendar with your family. Feel free to add in-laws and anyone else who is helping.
☐ Arrange childcare for winter break. If your children are old enough to stay home, then ask them to make a list of things they’ll need during winter break so you can order what you need now instead of them calling you while you’re back at work.
Staying Motivated While Job Hunting
Searching for a job during the holidays can feel discouraging. We totally understand! You’re wanting to move forward quickly with your job search during a time of year when HR managers and hiring managers are taking time off. Your resume might be sitting there for a while! The good news is that meaningful opportunities will still come your way. Use these tips to stay motivated.
- Spend a set time each week applying—don’t exhaust yourself
- Keep your resume and LinkedIn updated
- Network when opportunities arise (holiday events count!)
- Rest when you need to recharge
- Remember: Westphal Staffing can save you hours and open doors you may not find on your own
You Don’t Have to Navigate the Holidays Alone
Stress is a part of life—but burnout doesn’t have to be. With a plan, healthy boundaries, and the right support, you can move through the holidays with more ease and less overwhelm.
Let us know how we can help! Talk to us today about matching you with seasonal, part-time, or full-time roles that fit your needs. We can also provide guidance for resumes, interviews, and applications. Call or text us today at (715) 845-5569!