How to Spend the Holidays Productively

Co-authored by Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: December 25, 2022 References

While the holidays can be a fun time to relax and enjoy seeing family and friends, you can end up with a lot of downtime if you don’t plan ahead. If you want to get the most out of your holidays, make a calendar of the things you need to do, and schedule in time for a mixture of fun activities and productive tasks. However, keep in mind that it’s also important to spend some time relaxing over your holiday break!^{[1]
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Expert Source

Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.}

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Planning Ahead

1
Create a calendar of everything you want to do over the holidays. If you want to keep yourself on a regular schedule over your holiday break, making a calendar can help you stay organized. Start by filling in the most important things you need to do, like any trips, family gatherings, or parties you’re expected to attend. Then, work everything else around those events.^{[2]
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- You can make one big schedule to cover your whole holiday, or you can do a weekly or daily list if you prefer.
- Try using a calendar app or a planner to help keep your schedule organized, or you can draw your own calendar by hand if you’d like.
2
Set aside time for any work or schoolwork you need to get done. If you have any assignments that will be due after your holiday, schedule them in time to get them done. You might need to schedule a block of time every morning or evening if you have a big paper or project due, or you might just need a few hours on a Saturday if you only have a few smaller assignments.
- By having a set time for work or schoolwork, you'll be more likely to get it done on time, but you'll still have plenty of time for enjoying your holiday.
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3
Allow for time for holiday shopping and running errands. Holiday-related tasks can take up a lot of your time, so be sure to give yourself plenty of room for getting things done. You might need several afternoons for shopping, for instance, but you’ll also need to schedule time for tasks like wrapping gifts, addressing holiday cards, and going to the post office.^{[3]
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- Online shopping and delivery services can help you make the most of your time, but you'll often have to pay an extra fee.
4
Include some downtime. Remember, this is your holiday break, and it's important to take time to relax.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.} If you can, include a little time each day to unwind and enjoy your time with family and friends, especially if you're going to be really busy during the break. For instance, you might avoid planning anything after 6:00 p.m. each day so you’ll have time to eat dinner and unwind before bed.^{[5]
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- It can be really hard, but sometimes you might have to say no when people want you to go places or do things with them. Try to avoid overscheduling yourself, or you might spend your whole break feeling stressed out. Always ask yourself if you're going to be happy doing each activity before deciding what you want to do.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD
  Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making the Most of Your Free Time

1
Wake up early to get each day off to a good start. It can be tempting to sleep in during the holidays, but you'll get more out of your time off if you wake up a little earlier than normal each day. Even setting your alarm 30 minutes early can help keep you from getting off-schedule, and you'll have more time during the day to get things done.^{[7]
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- Of course, this means you’ll have to try to get to bed at about the same time you normally do, too. If you do end up staying up late one night, try to get up as early as you can the next morning, then get to bed extra-early the next night to help you stay on schedule.
2
Spend time learning or improving a skill, craft, or hobby. If you think you’re going to have a lot of free time over the holidays, try using that time to learn something new. You might practice a new drawing technique if you love art, for instance, or you might try learning to play a new song if you play the guitar. You can also try something totally new, like cross-stitching, building a model car, or brewing beer.^{[8]
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- The holidays are also a great time to learn to cook a new dish or dessert. For instance, you might bake a cake or cookies that you can bring along to a holiday celebration.
3
Read a book for a relaxing way to engage your mind. Reading is a great way to stimulate your imagination, but it’s also a relaxing way to pass the time. It’s your holiday, though, so don’t push yourself to read anything too dry or boring. Find a spy novel, a romance story, or an epic adventure that will keep you interested and excited, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’re turning the pages!^{[9]
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- If you have any assigned reading you’re supposed to do over the break, try reading that material for about 10-15 minutes before you switch to the book you’re reading for fun.
4
Visit a museum to learn about art, culture, or history. Do a search online for a list of museums near you and pick one that’s relatively close, and preferably that you’ve never been to before. Then, plan a day to stop by and browse the exhibits. If you go with an open mind and a spirit of adventure, you’re sure to learn something new!^{[10]
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- Look up cafes and restaurants near the museum so you can grab lunch on your trip, or pack a sandwich and a cold drink if you’re watching your budget!
5
Exercise each day to stay healthy and relieve stress. The hustle of the holidays can sometimes be stressful, and there are usually a lot of tasty treats to tempt you into eating unhealthy. Luckily, you can help counteract both of these things by spending about 30 minutes a day exercising.^{[11]
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- For instance, you might go for a jog on a track or treadmill, try some light aerobic exercise, or do weight training.
- You can also combine exercise with family time by engaging in activities like skiing, ice skating, sledding, or swimming.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding Productive Ways to Stay Busy

1
Volunteer to help out in your community. Look online or reach out to nonprofits in your area to find out how you can help. Most communities have a year-round need for volunteers, although you may find that there are more opportunities around the holiday season, when many organizations run extra clothing and food drives.^{[12]
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- For instance, you might help sort toy donations for a non-profit that helps children, you could visit the elderly at a retirement home, or you might help serve food at a soup kitchen.
2
Work part-time to earn extra money. If you want to help boost your holiday funds, try looking for part-time or seasonal jobs in your area. Many retail stores, for instance, hire help during this busy season, then let the extra workers go after the holidays end.^{[13]
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- If you don’t want to spend your holidays working, you can work on your resume or apply for a summer internship instead.
3
Attend networking events in your area. Spend your holiday break building contacts for the future by looking up networking events near you. For instance, you might find a meetup for high-school students who are getting ready to attend college, an event that caters to college students nearing graduation, or a seminar for young professionals who are hoping to advance their careers.^{[14]
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- To make the best impression possible, dress professionally, be social, and have a clear goal in mind before you go. For instance, if you’re in college, your goal might be to meet and impress potential future employers. If you work in sales, you might hope to reach a new market.
4
Create a plan for the year ahead. As the year draws to a close, take a little time to think about your year ahead. By setting clear, achievable goals to accomplish, you’ll be more likely to stay focused throughout the year.
- For instance, you might create a year-long business plan for how to grow your business, or you might set goals for the upcoming spring semester if you’re still in school.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can students utilize the vacation productively?

Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Florida. She specializes in working with adults on anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout. She is also the Chief Wellness Adviser for global esports organization Misfits Gaming Group. Dr. Rubenstein holds a BA in Psychology from Duke University, an MA in Psychology from Harvard University, and a PhD in Counseling Psychology from The University of Miami. She also has a Certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing through the EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association).

Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

You don't really need to be productive if you don't want to. Try being more connected to yourself and how you're feeling so you don't just float through time. Ask yourself if you're truly happy doing what you're doing to help you feel fulfilled.