Stress Less, Joy More! Empty-Nester Holiday Hacks Just for You

Christmas and the New Year are right around the corner, and today, I’m sharing my best empty-nester holiday hacks with you! If you’re like me, you’re busy right now! I’m shopping, wrapping, baking, hosting, and planning up a storm. I’ve got family here for Christmas and New Year’s. It’s a busy season, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Oh, and I plan to mostly live in loungewear and comfy PJs for the next few days! We like to keep it casual at our house! I’m sharing some of my favorite looks and sets with you in this post, starting with the cute faith-based sweatshirt above!

Amazon “A Thrill of Hope” Sweatshirt (other color options HERE)

This will be my last post before Christmas, but you can always watch my Instagram and Facebook Stories to keep up with my day-to-day life! Haven’t seen my posts pop up on your feed recently? The algorithms think they’re smarter than we are, and they know what we want! 🤣 You can let them know you want to see my content by engaging with it (liking/commenting). To show the algorithm who’s boss 😄, just go back to my last few posts and like and comment on them.

Cozy Earth Long Sleeve Bamboo Pajama Set (Oprah’s favorite and mine too!)
Use code CE-EMPTYNEST for 40% off! That’s better than any discount they ever offer on their website.)

I’ve worked hard to prioritize my faith and family this season, so I’ve been a lot less stressed than usual! I started shopping and wrapping earlier, and it paid off! In my Advent quiet times, I’ve been focusing on the Carols of Christmas and the truths of this joyous season! This playlist has been such a blessing too. As Christmas and New Year’s Eve approach, I want to help you focus on the Reason for the Season. I’m all about peace and joy here at ENB!

Amazon “True Story” Sweatshirt

Empty Nester Holiday Hacks

From our favorite family games to some great holiday photo-posing tips (and lots) more, I’ve got some helpful tips to share with you!

Last Minute Gift Ideas

At this point, ordering from Amazon (or anywhere, for that matter) is getting a little dicey. Your best bet? Either ordering online for curbside/in-store pickup or giving a unique gift that doesn’t have to be delivered by a mail carrier.

Ordering Online for Curbside Pickup

When you shop, be sure to toggle on the button (usually at the top of the page on the left sidebar) to filter for items that are in stock at your local store.

• Walmart – You can still order their top 100 gifts with same-day pickup and delivery up through Dec. 24!
• Target – You can still order select gifts through noon CST on 12/23 to get them at your door before Christmas.
• Soma – Take up to 50% off their yummy Cool Nights sleepwear and loungewear. (We’re talking $29 and up!) PLUS, get 10% off your order when you order online and pick up in-store!
• Nordstrom – They’ve got a wide variety of items ON MAJOR SALE for everyone on your list, and they’re great for in-store or curbside pickup!
• Kendra Scott – Jewelry makes a great gift because you don’t have to worry about sizes! Kendra Scott has lots of great last-minute gifts, and you can get 15% off if you sign up for their mailing/text list. Order with next-day Shipping for just $15.95 (normally $24.95). Ends 12/22 at noon PT.  Browse HERE.
• Ulta – Try breaking up their beauty sets for stocking stuffers! Order online and pick up in-store to save time (orders are usually ready in 2 hours or less!). Even on Christmas Eve! Order by 3:00 pm local time for same-day pickup. Step-by-step instructions HERE!
• Sephora – Check out their stocking stuffers! They’re offering FREE same-day delivery up through 3 pm Christmas Eve! Details HERE.

Dudley Stephens Cobble Hill Turtleneck Tunic | Spanx Seamless Leggings | Similar Red Sneakers (Use ENB20 for 20% off) | Similar Black Sneakers (Use ENB20 for 20% off.) | Green & White Gola Sneakers

Unique Last-Minute Gifts

• Babbel – Got a loved one who’s been wanting to learn a foreign language in preparation for an awesome trip? For a really creative last-minute gift, take 60% off this award-winning comprehensive language-learning system. It combines effective education methods with state-of-the-art technology to make learning fast and fun!
• BarkBox – Got a pet lover on your list? Consider this monthly dog toy subscription service!
• Audible – Sometimes it’s easier or more convenient to listen to books rather than read them! An Audible membership can be a thoughtful gift! Details HERE.
• Plant of the Month Club – I gifted this to my senior adult parents one year, and it brought them such joy! Every month, they’d send me a photo of the themed plant that came right to their doorstep! Details HERE.
• Imagination Box – Three age-appropriate books, a seasonal creative craft, and an interactive box—delivered straight to their door each month! Pick your age range from ages 0-13. Free shipping is included!

Haven Organic Cotton Blend Cable Sweater (limited size availability) Consider THIS Haven Cable Cocoon Cardigan as an alternative. | Haven Organic Cotton Blend Ribbed Joggers | Haven Sherpa Mules

Holiday Movies to Stream

I love to watch holiday movies while I wrap gifts! Most of them are pretty predictable, but this year I found four unique movies that I especially loved and 100% recommend!

• Christmas on Mistletoe Farm (Netflix) – In this delightful British family Christmas comedy, a widowed father makes a bumpy adjustment to village life — while his five kids (with help from the villagers!) hatch a plan to stay there forever. ADORABLE!
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Still in some theaters & for rent on Amazon Prime) – Based on Barbara Robinson’s beloved 1972 children’s book and directed by Dallas Jenkins, the mastermind behind The Chosen, this updated heartwarming (and hilarious!) film follows the wild and unruly Herdman kids as they unexpectedly take over the local church’s Christmas pageant. Poor Grace (played by the fabulous Judy Greer) is tasked with directing the pageant for the first time and has her hands full trying to wrangle the chaos. Will she pull it off? You’ll laugh, cry, and love this sweet holiday story! I totally did.
• Our Little Secret (Netflix) – Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding star as exes who, in a crazy rom-com twist, learn that their new partners are actually siblings. Stuck spending the holidays together under one roof, the two grapple with the shocking revelation while hiding their romantic past from everyone else—including their significant others’ judgmental mother, who is hilariously played by Kristin Chenoweth.
• The Family Switch (Netflix) – If Freaky Friday had a family-sized twist, this would be it! Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms star in this comedy where parents and teens swap bodies after a wacky pre-Christmas astrological event. This heartwarming (and totally chaotic!) movie shows what happens when a family is forced to literally walk in each other’s shoes. I watched this while I was on a plane and I kept busting out laughing! This one’s from 2023, but if you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it!

Natural Life Comfy Pocket Sweatshirt | Lysse Denim Leggings (Such a good wardrobe staple! I’ve had these for years!) | Brooks Sneakers

Holiday Hostess Hacks

News flash! I’m not a natural hostess. Like, I don’t get super-excited about things like tablescapes and all that! 🤣 Don’t get me wrong — I love being the conduit for getting people together, but planning and executing the hostessing duties — stresses me out! I even wrote a post around Thanksgiving this year full of helpful tips and hacks for those of us who are “bad” hostesses! Here are two of my favorites:

1. Centerpiece

I’ve shared this often because it is the most effortless centerpiece for any gathering or special event! Yep! This simple but pretty 24″ acrylic floral centerpiece below was a fantastic bad hostess find for me! I bring it out every single time I host. All it takes is a trip to the grocery store’s floral department for seasonal flowers, and boom, I’ve got myself a centerpiece!

24″ Acrylic Floral Centerpiece

2. Hard Salami Flower

On Christmas Day, we always open presents in the morning, have a deli sandwich lunch, and then head to my mother-in-law’s house for dinner. Whether you’re doing a fabulous charcuterie board or a simple deli lunch as we do, I’m all about a gimmicky trick that is super simple but looks pretty!

Fun Family Game

Every year on Christmas Eve with my sister’s family, we play LCR (LCR stands for “left, center, right.”)! Then we play it again with Bob’s side of the family on Christmas Day! Yes, it’s that much fun! The best thing about this game is that it’s a game of chance. (That means there’s no arguing. YAY! 🎉)

Each player starts the game with three poker chips and takes turns rolling the three dice. For each “L” rolled, they give a chip to the player on their left. For each “R” rolled, they give a chip to the player on their right. For each “C” rolled, they put a chip in the middle of the table. For each dot rolled, nothing occurs. The dice are then passed to the next player. When one player has all the chips, that player wins the game.

However, when we play it, Bob and I give everyone three one-dollar bills instead of poker chips. Everyone gets so into it; you’d think we were playing for hundreds of dollars! It’s such a hit; one year, I bought a set of four LCR games, which I broke up and put into each of my kids’ stockings. (If you’re interested, there’s still time to get LCR before Christmas with Amazon Prime.

Photo Posing Tips

Let’s face it! Many photos will inevitably be taken and viewed in the next few weeks! Here are some posing tips and tricks to help you feel more confident when someone whips out their phone and starts snapping away!

• Good Lighting – Lighting is the number one secret to taking flattering photos. Even if the view behind you is fabulous, you want the light coming in on your face. Prioritize that.
• Stand up straight with your shoulders down, chin low, and neck elongated and thrust slightly forward. (This minimizes a double chin or the loose skin you may have on your neck.)
• To look slimmer, angle your body about a quarter turn from the camera and tighten your core muscles.
• Place one foot slightly in front of the other with a bent knee, keeping your weight on your straight leg. Bevel your bent knee slightly toward your other knee. To define your shape, create space at the waist with your hand in a pocket or by slightly bending your elbow with your hand at your side. (Note: The hand-on-the-hip thing is pretty much dead. It looks a little too contrived!)
• Relax your face, neck, and shoulders, and smile. It’s an instant facelift!
• Always show your teeth. (Covering your teeth with tight lips makes you look creepy.) If you’re embarrassed about the color of your teeth, try THESE non-toxic, no-sensitivity whitening strips.
• When you’re taking a photo in a group, try to stand at the end so that you can use the techniques I just shared. The absolute worst position to be in is facing forward in the middle of a line of people with your arms around the people on either side of you. It’s not flattering to anyone! If you do get stuck in the middle of the group, be sure to angle your body to the side.

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Ultra Lite Knit Set (nearly sold out) | Similar sets HERE or HERE. | Ugg Slippers | Bubble Initial Necklace (on sale!)

Holiday Beauty Hacks

These simple beauty tools and tricks will help you feel pretty and confident!

• To make your eyes look bigger, you need to angle your lashes upward. But traditional eyelash curlers kink your lashes like spider’s legs 🕷😂, and they can pull out your lashes. THIS heated lash curler is one of my favorite beauty tools!
• Try a festive red lip like my favorite, Laura Geller’s long-wearing but non-drying Chromatic Lip Tint in Berry! If you already have a red you like, but it bleeds into the lines around your lips, try Laura Geller’s Invisible Color Locking Lip Liner to help it stay put. Everyone can wear red; you just need to know whether your skin has warm or cool undertones. Warm undertones should wear a brownish red like “Chili.” Cool undertones should wear true blue-reds, like MAC’s best-selling Ruby Woo (also known as Taylor Swift’s favorite red shade).
• Whiten your teeth for a gorgeous smile! As I told you above, I like THESE non-toxic, no-sensitivity whitening strips. If you can’t get those in time, pick up some Crest Whitestrips.

Natural Life Heart On Your Sleeve Embroidered Sweatshirt (Was $59, now $29.95.)

Harmony Hack for Adult Kids

Having positive, encouraging conversations with my adult kids is always at the forefront of my mind and heart when we get together. If you have grandkids, consider hugging their parents first before you hug them! Remember, no matter how old your kids are—or how good your relationship is—your adult kids crave your encouragement and praise! Check out my posts on 6 Ways to Strengthen Relationships When Your Empty Nest Fills up for the Holidays AND How to Have Meaningful Conversations With Your Adult Kids for my best advice.

Holiday Health Hacks

Sticking with my fitness routine has been key to staying joyful and feeling physically strong this holiday season! If you’re thinking about making your physical health and fitness a priority starting either now or in the New Year, here are my best suggestions.

• Check out the FREE fitness videos by Denise Austin at AARP.com/fitness. You’ll find everything from easy stretches to relieve back pain to expert tips on walking for fitness.
• New sneakers for the New Year? Experts recommend replacing them every 300 to 500 miles or every six to eight months, whichever comes first. Wearing sneakers past their prime can cause strain on your joints, ligaments, and muscles of the feet and ankles! Shoes need to provide arch support and shock absorption. Achy or sore feet can indicate that your sneakers need to be replaced. I’ve been wearing the ultra-flexible Limited Edition Maxine EMOVE Walking Shoes from Easy Spirit and loving them! (Did you see the Instagram REEL where I shared them?) They come in extended widths, are orthotic-friendly, and provide extra arch support. They were originally $99, but they’re a whopping 70% off right now (making them $29.70!), PLUS, through the end of the year, you can stack an additional 20% off with code ENB20 (making them $23.76)!😲

Limited Edition Maxine EMOVE Walking Shoes (Were $99, now just $23.76 with discounts + code ENB20)

Merry Christmas, my sweet friends! May your hearts and homes be full of peace and joy this holiday season. Thank you for shopping the ENB Holiday Gift Guide and my Amazon Gift Guides this season! I’m so grateful for your kindness, love, and faithfulness! I hope they made your shopping easier and more fun!

We’ll be back after Christmas with a guide to the best after-Christmas sales! We want to help you save money and time by putting all of the sales in one convenient spot for you. Be sure you’re subscribed to the ENB newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!