4 ways I treat myself during the holidays—they’re all free

I admit it: I bought $7 oat milk cappuccinos and chocolate croissants before taking care of myself on Saturday. When my friends indulge in yoga classes and an afternoon of shopping, they call it “a Meg Day.”

December Meg is different. As well as most AmericansI can’t help but feel stressed around the holidays. I have to stretch my budget to make sure I can afford cranberry-flavored cocktails at holiday parties and the $80 Skims bodysuit on my sister’s wish list — or risk credit card debt.

But when it’s cold, it’s dark, and airports are full of people who act like they’ve never been through a TSA line before, I need extra energy to meet my year-end deadlines. So, I came up with a happy medium. I continue my self-care routine alone, but replace the activities that cost $0.

Here are four ways to make some extra me time this holiday season that aren’t work, and don’t cost a dime.

Free attractions

Every city I’ve lived in, big or small, is filled with twinkling lights and free or low-cost community events around the holidays.

In New York, where I currently live, museums often have designated free or discounted time slots. You can find other free events here – like tango lessons, silent discos or stargazing on The High Line – quite easily on social media.

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When I lived in Adrian, Michigan, I checked college, government, and local news websites—plus Eventbrite pages and Facebook groups—to find those events, from holiday concerts to lighting ceremonies. tree

This year, I’m attending a light show and going to a downtown Christmas market with my family in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My sister promises she’ll help me not buy hot chocolate in a boot-shaped mug.

Window shopping

Dreaming about next year’s wardrobe instead of buying it is a fairly obvious way to save money, if you have enough self-control. But window shopping is difficult for me. You’ll never be able to resist a pair of discounted Miista boots.

Instead, I take different routes home so I can see as many holiday-decorated streets as possible – a different form of window shopping with less financial consequences. Sometimes, someone would leave their living room lights on, and I would look at the evergreens adorned with lights, giant red reflective bulbs, and paper angels.

Some of my co-workers pursue similar activities that activate their senses, such as trying on fragrances, shopping for candles or patrolling the grocery aisle for free samples. It’s a smart tip: Activate your five senses it’s an easy way to relieve anxiety, studies find.

Turn my living room into a cafe – or my bathroom into a spa

I have two hobbies that I’m really good at – ice skating and writing – and at least 12 I’ve tried once and never picked up. I would like more time to master them all.

My editor had a great idea: grab a cozy blanket, put on your favorite playlist, make yourself an awesome hot drink and practice an activity of your choice for a couple of hours. [Editor’s note: That guy seems pretty smart!]

I changed the ceiling lighting for lamps, put on The Beatles and tried to complete a $25 crochet kit I impulsively bought online months ago. I sat under a blanket, drank ginger tea from my favorite mug and generally felt recharged after two hours – even though I only finished about three rows of my crocheted strawberries.

Between Christmas and New Years, I’ll be doing it again – this time as a DIY spa day, using the countless beauty products I’ve accumulated over the years that I rarely use.

My editor will be happy, and probably unsurprised, to know that his suggestion is backed by science: Practicing something creative can make you a better problem solverpsychologists say. And the simple act of play can relieve stress and build social skills and mental resilience, no matter how old you are, research shows.

Take it with an old friend – or not

The holidays can be celebratory, stressful, and comforting all at once, and everyone handles that tension differently. Some people, for example, benefit from scheduling a phone call with a friend before or after group events.

I’m actually the opposite: my social and family obligations tire me out, because I feel like I need to be “on” during most of my waking hours to meet everyone’s expectations. So, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, I planned in “stare-at-the-wall” time.

Being alone, and in peace, gives you time to reflectProcess difficult emotions and be more present when you are ready to meet the word, professor of religious studies of the University of Pennsylvania Justin McDaniel he told me in 2022. After a few minutes of sitting in proper silence, I scroll on my phone, watch Thanksgiving episodes of “Gossip Girl” or do laundry.

Downtime recharges me so I can argue with my family about which holiday movie to watch on Christmas Eve.

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