51 Days ’Til Christmas – Evening Habits That Make Tomorrow (and the Holidays) Easier

This post is part of the #100DaysTilChristmasChallenge – one small step every day to make the holidays more joyful and less stressful.

The sun’s setting before dinner, the kids are asking for snacks at 4:30, and honestly… I’m ready to call it a night before I’ve even cleaned up from lunch.

The dark evenings this time of year hit hard — your motivation dips, your energy fades, and suddenly everything feels like “a tomorrow problem.”

But here’s the truth: if we can do just a few evening habits, a few small things now — while life is still somewhat calm — we’ll thank ourselves when the real chaos of November and December rolls in.

Tonight’s challenge is simple: build a few evening habits that make tomorrow (and the holidays) easier.

And trust me, this isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing smarter.

We’re setting the foundation now for a calmer Thanksgiving week… and a Christmas season that doesn’t leave you curled up in the fetal position with an unreliable mental to-do list.

Why These Evening Habits Matter (Beyond Tomorrow Morning)

Here’s a little honesty: I used to wait until the last minute for everything. And a couple of years ago, my body decided to call me out on it.

I was so stressed the week of Thanksgiving that I broke out in shingles on Tuesday.
Yep, shingles. On Thanksgiving week.

I ended up spending the day before Thanksgiving at urgent care, filling a prescription, and trying not to cry in line at the pharmacy — because really, who has time for that?

Lesson learned: if you don’t slow down early, your body will eventually force you to.

These evening habits are my way of doing things differently now.
They’re small, realistic steps that prevent that level of burnout before it ever starts.

Think of them as tiny gifts to your future self — the one who’s juggling holiday events, shopping lists, and remembering which kid’s concert is on which night.

Habit #1: End Each Night With One Small Win

When it’s dark and you’d rather do absolutely nothing, choose just one thing that sets you up for success tomorrow.

It doesn’t need to be impressive. In fact, keep it easy:

• Load the dishwasher
• Lay out tomorrow’s outfit
• Write down your top 3 tasks for the next day
• Clear one counter or tidy one surface

You’ll wake up to a space (and a brain) that feels lighter.
And that momentum carries into the rest of your week.

You can jot your “one win” on a sticky note, your phone’s Notes app, or even your Thanksgiving grocery list — somewhere you’ll see it again tomorrow. Sometimes seeing it written down helps it stick.

Habit #2: Look Ahead to What’s Coming

Once tomorrow’s handled, zoom out just a bit.
What’s on the horizon that could use a little attention now?

Ask yourself:

• What’s happening later this week that I can prep for early?
• Do I need to start my Thanksgiving grocery list?
• Are there holiday tasks or events I need to note before they sneak up?

Spending even five minutes thinking ahead keeps you grounded in what’s next instead of what’s urgent.

No need for a full calendar — jot a few things down in your Thanksgiving Planner or a notebook to get them out of your head.

Habit #3: Do One Favor for Future You

Now that you’ve spotted what’s coming, pick one small thing to handle tonight.

It might be:

• Throwing in a load of laundry so you’re not buried this weekend.
• Writing a reminder to grab extra butter or flour before stores get hectic.
• Ordering a gift you already know you’ll need.
• Setting a reminder to thaw the turkey early next week.

Little favors like this keep the season manageable and prevent those last-minute scrambles that turn “festive” into “frazzled.”

Habit #4: Pair It With Comfort

Let’s be real: the reason we avoid doing anything after dark is because our brains are already in “sweatpants and couch” mode.

So instead of fighting it, work with it.

Make your nightly habits cozy:

• Pour a cup of tea or cocoa before you look through your lists.
• Light a candle or turn on soft music.
• Wrap up in your blanket while you jot down your thoughts or to-dos.

You can still have your cozy moment — just make it part of your prep time.

Keep It Simple (and Use the Tools You Have)

You don’t need a fancy system — just a spot to keep a running list of what’s on your mind.

Maybe it’s a notebook, a sticky note, or your phone’s Notes app — somewhere easy to grab when you think of something you’ll need later.

If you’re using the Thanksgiving Planner, you can use the brand-new To-Do List section to jot down small wins, reminders, or “future self favors.” It’s the perfect place to track those little things that don’t fit on your menu or grocery pages but still matter.

And if you don’t have your planner yet, you can grab it free when you join the newsletter — we’re using it all month long to make Thanksgiving smoother, calmer, and (dare I say) actually enjoyable.

Today’s To-Dos

✅ Pick one small win for tonight.
✅ Look ahead a few days — jot down 1–2 things you can get ahead on.
✅ Do one favor for your future self (even something tiny counts).
✅ Add a cozy cue to make it feel like your calm moment of the day.