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hands holding a wrapped present surrounded by lights and gifts
hands holding a wrapped present surrounded by lights and gifts
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Stony Brook | Wellness > Mental Health

Advice From The Mom Friend – Holiday Edition

Julia Heming Student Contributor, Stony Brook University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Stony Brook chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Happy holidays Seawolves! It’s your resident mom friend here, sharing advice on the holidays. They can be a crazy time, and a little help never hurts. So if you need some help, I’m here with 25 tips to make the holiday season more fun and more relaxed.

  1. Schedule in time for peace, even on the holidays. Protecting your peace is key so schedule in time for a workout, a walk around the block or a phone call with your bestie. 
  2. Going to meet your partner’s family? Avoid showing up empty handed and bring a dessert, because it’s Christmas and everyone loves cookies. 
  3. Buy gift bags and tissue paper at the dollar store. 
  4. Don’t know what to wear to a holiday party? Go with a pair of straight leg trousers and a sweater in white, red or green with a pair of boots for an easy and comfortable look. 
  5. Can’t figure out how to spoil your partner? Get them an elevated version of a go to product – think silk pillowcase, new carry on luggage, a new jacket, a wireless charger. 
  6. Don’t love those ideas? Check out my article on gifting based on your partner’s love language. 
  7. If you are at Christmas dinner and don’t celebrate the holiday, use prayer time for a mini manifestation session! Close your eyes and affirm yourself – you are so strong. 
  8. Baking soda expires, check that date before you make cookies. 
  9. Want sprinkles on your sugar cookies without the sprinkles melting? Brush the baked cookies with a layer of egg wash and then cover them in sanding sugar. Pop the cookies into an oven at 350*F for 2 minutes to set. 
  10. Use a balsam candle to create a pine tree smell if you have a fake tree. 
  11. Never burn candles for more than four hours or while sleeping. 
  12. Cheap ornaments and decorations can be found at thrift stores. 
  13. Ask for things you want but don’t want to pay for as holiday gifts. Then save for the cute shoes you want. 
  14. Take advantage of holiday sales to stock up on products you always use. 
  15. Cookies always make a good gift, always. 
  16. Making cookies with box mix doesn’t matter. 
  17. Turn a grazing board holiday themed by using red and green snacks and white cheeses. Pomegranate seeds, bell peppers and berries are some of my fav with goat cheese and caprese bites with mini mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.    
  18. Use scraps of wrapping paper to make gift tags.
  19. For the person who “doesn’t want anything” gift them an experience like a massage or manicure. 
  20. Remember you are allowed to enjoy every aspect of the holiday, protect your peace.
Julia Heming

Stony Brook '23

Julia is a national writer for Her Campus. While she writes for all verticals, her focus is the wellness section, bringing you everything you need to know about relationships, astrology, and the best ways to get down and dirty.

Julia is a grad student at Syracuse University where she studies communications. She is a graduate of Stony Brook University, where she studied journalism with a minor in women's studies. During her time at SBU, she was a VS PINK campus rep, and an active member of Her Campus @ SBU.

When she isn't writing, you can find Julia reading a smutty romance novel, hitting up her local crystal shop, or thrifting with an iced oat milk latte in hand. She's a Capricorn (but you probably already knew that) and a practicing yogi.