Part 2 — Living Slowly in December: Simple Crafts, Slow Routines, Slow Cooking, and Home Rituals (The how)
We’re already halfway through December, and for many families this is the point where things start to feel full—work schedules stack up, school events multiply, evenings get busy, and weekends disappear faster than we expect.
If this season has been moving quicker than you hoped, take heart:
you haven’t missed your chance to slow down.
You can begin right here, in the middle of it all, with small choices that shift the atmosphere of your home.
This isn’t about having long stretches of free time—most families don’t.
It’s about creating pockets of slowness that fit into real life.
Simple Ways to Slow Down During the Week
Even with work, school, and obligations, small rituals can bring calm into ordinary evenings.
Try:
Ten minutes of quiet with the lights low
Reading one short story after dinner
Lighting a single candle while everyone winds down
A short walk after school or work, just around the block
Saying no to one extra thing so you can say yes to breathing room
Slowness isn’t measured in hours—it’s measured in presence.
Simple, Handmade Traditions for Busy Evenings or Weekends
Handmade doesn’t have to mean complicated.
These projects are doable in short windows—after school, after dinner, or on a free Saturday morning.
• Paper Stars
Quiet, calming to make, and beautiful taped to windows.
• Dried Citrus Garlands
Bake a sheet of oranges while you’re making dinner. String them another night.
• Gathered-Branch Wreaths
Pick up a few branches on a weekend walk and bend them into a circle.
• Salt Dough Ornaments
Mix, cut, and bake in under an hour. Paint on another day.
• Beeswax Candle Rolling
No melting, no mess—perfect for tired weeknights.
These crafts create moments of connection without requiring hours of time or planning.
Slow Cooking That Fits Into Work-Life Rhythms
Slow food doesn’t always mean long cooking times—it means creating warmth and connection around meals you’re already making.
Try:
Stews or soups you can start in the evening or toss into a slow cooker in the morning
Fresh bread on the weekend—or bakery bread warmed in the oven
Hot chocolate or tea after school/work
Cooking one thing “together”—even small tasks like stirring or sprinkling cheese
Family recipes that tell a story
It’s not about gourmet meals.
It’s about creating a table that feels like a pause in the day.
Daily Rituals for a Home That Feels Calmer (Even When Life Is Busy)
These rituals require almost no time, no prep, and no pressure—just intention.
Light a candle during dinner
Read one short Advent verse before bed
Turn off overhead lights and use lamps or twinkle lights
Choose one simple corner to decorate: greens, a candle, a nativity
End the day with gratitude, one sentence from each person
These small practices shift the whole tone of the home.
A December That Feels Like Home
Being halfway through the month doesn’t mean you’re behind.
It simply means now is the perfect moment to reset—to remember that the beauty of Christmas isn’t found in efficiency, productivity, or a packed calendar. It’s found in presence. In noticing. In a few unhurried moments shared with the people you love.
Even if you only have:
ten minutes in the evening
half an hour on the weekend
a single afternoon free
You can choose slowness.
You can choose peace.
You can choose a gentler Christmas, starting right now.
In Part 3, we’ll talk about how this slower, quieter way of living naturally overflows into kindness, generosity, and simple acts of service.
