Finding Calm and Joy This Holiday Season

By Angela Rosen

A Season That Shines Brighter Than the Headlines

Sometimes the world feels noisier than we’d like. Grown-ups whisper about the news, headlines flash across phones, and friends talk about things that sound confusing or even scary. And during Christmas break, when school is closed and the days feel quieter, you might notice those worries a little more.

But here’s the truth:
Even if the world outside feels busy or uncertain, you can still find calm, courage, and joy inside your home and your heart.
The holidays are filled with traditions and moments that matter much more than anything on a screen. 

The Power of Small Joys

Think about the things that made you happiest at Christmas. 

Decorating the tree and making handmade Christmas decorations.

Baking cookies

Playing in the snow

Watching holiday movies

Listening to music with your family

These small joys are powerful reminders that your world is safe, warm, and filled with love.

Talking About Worries

If worries creep in, don’t hide them.
Talk to someone you trust a parent, grandparent, guardian, or older sibling.
Fears grow bigger when they stay inside your head.
But when you speak them out loud, they shrink.

The people who love you can help you understand what’s happening and remind you that you’re cared for and protected.

Easy Calm-Down Tools for Kids

Flower & Candle Breathing

• Pretend you’re smelling a flower, slow breath in.

• Pretend you’re blowing out a candle, slow breath.
  Repeat a few times and feel your body soften.

Move Your Body

• Dance to holiday music

• Build a snow fort and snowball fight.

• Stretch like a superhero
  Movement replaces worry with strength.

“Love is always stronger than fear.”
Families, friends, and communities work hard to keep one another safe.
Even when the world seems confusing, helpers are always out there bringing hope.

 Holiday Feature: The Joy Jar Challenge

A fun, simple activity to bring happiness to your holiday break.

Step One: Create Your Joy Jar

Use an empty jar, decorated box, or festive bag.
Each day, write down one thing that made you smile—
Hot chocolate, a snowball fight, a bedtime story, a warm hug.

Slip the note inside.

Step Two: Share the Joy

On New Year’s Eve, open the jar with your family.
Read each note together and look back on all the good moments you created.

Extra Festive Tip:
Cut small slips of paper shaped like stars, snowflakes, or ornaments.

Creative Corner: Mini Story Exercise

Turning Fear Into Courage

Choose one of the prompts below or create your own and write a short story about discovering your inner light and bravery.

Story Starters:
• One snowy night, I discovered a glowing star in my window. It whispered courage to me…
• The Christmas tree lights flickered, and suddenly they became a magical shield that kept my family safe.
• I opened a snow globe and inside was a tiny world where helpers were always ready to protect us…
• The laughter of my family filled the room, and I realized it was the strongest light of all…

Let your imagination guide you.

“I know the world can be noisy, but our home is quiet and safe. Christmas is still about joy.”