It’s surprising how often Christmas becomes a time of stress and negativity for many of us. With modern traditions often centred around overconsumption and materialism, it’s easy to slip back into patterns that leave us feeling unhappy. If the season feels more overwhelming than joyful, try these nine solo and group rituals that blend traditional folklore with mindful pleasure to help you reconnect with your own sense of Christmas spirit.
- Pre-Christmas Day 🌟
- 1️⃣. Intentional decorating & gifting
- 2️⃣. Krampus awakening ceremony
- 3️⃣. Midnight mass music evening
- Solstice & Yule (21st Dec-1st Jan) ❄️
- 4️⃣. The winter solstice meditation
- 5️⃣. Yule candle intention setting
- 6️⃣. 2024 memory box
- Full festivities 🎄
- 7️⃣. Festive folklore reading
- 8️⃣. A silent feast
- 9️⃣. A spiced bath
Pre-Christmas Day 🌟
1️⃣. Intentional decorating & gifting
Whilst decorating and gifting are mainstream Christmas traditions, doing them with sensual intention can bring back their ritualistic nature. In Celtic folklore, holly and ivy are often symbols of protection and fertility.
Decorate your home with these natural leaves that bring grounding earthy scents into your home. Hang mistletoe and don’t forget to have a mistletoe kiss/embrace, honouring thanks for the loved ones in your life (solo smooches are also welcome)!.
2️⃣. Krampus awakening ceremony
Christmas may be merry and bright, but it’s also a time to embrace the dark and embody transformation. Krampus, the wild spirit of Alpine folklore is still celebrated in many countries.
As a ceremony of release, you can light a fire, (adding pine branches if you have them), dance around its glow, and unleash untamed energy that may have built up through the year.
Let the flames symbolise transformation, connecting you to the primal balance of light and shadow. Do this outdoors if possible for an even more sensory experience. This also ties into old Yule celebrations, where dancing around a fire was meant to celebrate the sun’s return.
3️⃣. Midnight mass music evening
Christmas is a time for music and singing, and it can take forms beyond just a carol service. Singing is a proven way to reconnect with ourselves and ease stress, as it centres our minds on one thing.
Hold your own version of midnight mass (typically on Christmas Eve), for yourself or with loved ones, where the only light is candlelight.
You can sing together, write your own carols, or simply gather to celebrate the music you’ve heard throughout the year that has become meaningful to you.
Solstice & Yule (21st Dec-1st Jan) ❄️
4️⃣. The winter solstice meditation
The winter solstice marks a time of rebirth and renewal. Celebrate by spending the longest night of the year in quiet, sensual reflection.
Meditate on what you’d like to release from the past year and why these things no longer serve you.
5️⃣. Yule candle intention setting
In many cultures, candles are lit during Yule, the twelve days following the winter solstice (21st December), to honour the return of the sun.
Take this time to journal your wishes or intentions for the coming year, and then create a candlelit ritual where each candle represents one of these desires.
As you light each candle, take a deep breath and connect to your body’s sensual energy, allowing the light and warmth to remind you of your own radiance and power—you’ve got this!
6️⃣. 2024 memory box
Christmas is a time for gratitude, to slow down after the year has passed, and to reflect on the highlights, lowlights, and everything in between. A memory box can hold small items you’ve kept from the year, like receipts or tickets.
If you don’t have much to hand, write down your favourite memories from the year, fold each one, and place them in the box. And don’t throw away the key!
Full festivities 🎄
7️⃣. Festive folklore reading
Whether it’s the tale of the Yule Goat, the legend of the Snow Queen, or the wild adventures of Krampus, these stories are filled with enchantment, darkness, and the power of nature—making them a perfect way to connect with the spirit of the season.
Storytelling is one of the oldest traditions we have, passed down through generations to keep our connection with the past alive. It’s a wonderful alternative to the typical Christmas couch slouch, especially on a gloomy day.
8️⃣. A silent feast
What many people wish for on Christmas is simply a bit of peace. Prepare a meal that delights your senses. As you eat, focus on the flavours, textures, and aromas without distractions—no phone, no conversations.
Allow the act of eating to become a meditative ritual, that is satisfying your body’s needs and indulgence. This is a moment of nourishment, a gift to yourself that brings calm and presence amidst the festive rush.
9️⃣. A spiced bath
Christmas day is usually the most chaotic day of all, meaning we need to take a moment to chill on this day more than any other! It’s okay to grant yourself the gift of alone time on this day.
Take a slow bath with herbs like rosemary (for clarity) or frankincense (for grounding) or essential oils such as cinnamon, clove, and orange for a comforting, seasonal scent.
If there’s no bath to hand, shower salts are a nice alternative; the main thing is that you switch your expectations of this day and allow yourself one moment to relax (especially if you’re the person who normally is doing most of the work)!
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Read: A sex worker’s guide to the festive season.
Iso
Iso is a writer and filmmaker based in East London. She is passionate about all things erotic and leads a sexy, shame-free life in hope that she can inspire others to do the same. Originally from a Northern seaside town, she is naturally drawn to the best things in life: candyfloss, trashy karaoke bars and heart-shaped sunglasses.
