Is the Christmas baking already gone? Same. The shortbread didn’t stand a chance.

So… how did it go? Are you staring at garbage bags of wrapping paper, boxes, and toy parts? Or are you one of those magical humans who has every gift displayed so the kids remember to send thank-yous? Either way—you’re doing great.

Promise: today we keep the joy, clear the piles (a little), and laugh at the chaos. At least you’re not in a barn surrounded by animals giving birth. Perspective, friends.

You’re part of Thrive Momma—a community to reduce overwhelm. We share simple tools, humor, and evidence-based ideas. Visit www.thrivemommacoaching.com  anytime.

A True Story

A blended family I know woke to The Pile. Wrapping drifted like snow. Batteries were missing. A mysterious pink accessory had no known owner.
Mom set a 10-minute timer. Everyone grabbed what they could: toys to a “display shelf,” boxes to a “returns bin,” ribbons to a “reuse bag.” The timer beeped. They cheered like Everest climbers. Then they ate leftover cinnamon rolls—no guilt.
They texted photos with three dictated “thank-you” lines. The house wasn’t perfect. It was peaceful-enough.

What Helps on Days Like This (Why it matters)

• Plan tiny and connect. The Canadian Mental Health Association (NS)  encourages small plans, self-care, and reaching out for support during the holidays. (Tiny plans lower decision fatigue.)

• Keep anchors (sleep, food, movement). Canada.ca  reminds us to steady routines after big days—protect sleep, add something nourishing, and move a little. (Routines calm the post-party wobble.)

• Kids need calm cues. Kids Help Phone  shares simple coping skills and family supports. (Predictability helps nervous systems settle.)

• Help exists in many languages. 211 Canada  is a navigation line available 24/7 in many regions with interpretation. (You don’t have to do it alone.)

• Sort once, sort right. Holiday waste rules vary. Check your city’s page; the Halifax Solid Waste  site is a good example. (Reuse first; many ribbons/foils aren’t recyclable.)

• Add, don’t subtract. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)  summarizes evidence linking balanced eating patterns to mood. (Pair treats with colour + protein.)

A Gentle 30–40 Minute Reset

(Or do two quick 10-minute rounds. Boxing Day is flexible.)

1. Two-bag magic (6–8 min). One bin for recycling/reuse. One for donations/returns. Work one room. Put return boxes by the door.

2. Display, then play (5–8 min). Create a small “display shelf” so kids admire gifts and remember who to thank. One toy out at a time. When it goes back, pick another.

3. Thank-you photos (5 min). Snap a picture of each gift with the child holding it. Dictate one sentence to the giver; send later.

4. The Pink Mystery Object (2 min). Label a “who does this belong to?” bowl. If unclaimed by New Year’s, it joins the parts bin.

5. Fuel + water (3 min). Add colour + protein to the cookie plate (apple + cheese, hummus + crackers).

6. Movement break (3–5 min). Walk the block, dance to one song, or stretch while the kettle boils. Habits beat heroics.

7. Plan a tiny joy (1–2 min). Today’s anchor: board game at 3 p.m., or solo tea by a sunny window.

8. Visitors window (1 min). If folks drop by, set a friendly boundary: “Open house 2–4,” or “today we’re resting—see you tomorrow.”

Real-Life Scripts

With kids:
“Today is display and play. We’ll put everything where we can see it. Pick one toy to play with. When it goes back on display, choose another. Want to be Photo Captain for thank-yous?”

With a co-parent, grandparent, or other caregiver:
“Let’s run a 10-minute timer. You take boxes and recycling. I’ll set up the display shelf and thank-you photos. Then tea. We will ignore dust we can’t see.”

Solo-parent version:
“I’m setting a 10-minute timer. After that, we all rest. Toys can wait until tomorrow.”

With early visitors at 8 a.m.:
“We love you! Today’s a slow morning here. Can we see you after 2 p.m.? We’ll put the kettle on. The kid will even perform the Two-Note Recorder Solo you requested.”

Pitfalls → Better Swaps

• “We must deep-clean the whole house.” → One room, one timer.

• “We should eat only salad to undo yesterday.” → Add, don’t subtract. Pair treats with colour + protein.

• “Toys everywhere forever.” → Display shelf + one-out-at-a-time.

• “I’ll do it all myself.” → Ask for help; call 211 for community supports.

Micro-Practice (5 Minutes)

Set a five-minute timer. Nest gift bags into one big bag. Flatten boxes. Toss ribbons into a reuse container. Fill your water bottle. Sit for one quiet minute. Done is done.

Free Printable

Grab the Boxing Day Reset — You Can Do It! checklist (plain-language, high-contrast, large-print friendly).
➡️ Download the PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U7MzDUGMW24c9akUUFc1pH1i0tM6vutc/view?usp=sharing 

Inclusion & Access Notes

• Families celebrate many ways—Boxing Day might be visiting aunties, prayer, the sales, or sleeping like a champion. Choose what fits your culture and energy.

• If English or French isn’t your first language, label bins with pictures or emoji as well as words. Use your home language on signs.

• Neurodivergent-friendly ideas: Use a visual timer for 5–10 minute cleanups. Offer two choices only (“display or play,” “photo now or later”). Try a simple first/then board (“first photo, then play”).

• Municipal rules vary; check your local page before sorting. The Halifax Solid Waste  site shows the idea.

Kind Wrap-Up

You kept little humans alive through concerts, turkeys, travel, and late-night assembly with 47 identical screws. You are a marvel. Today is for gentle resets and honest rest. Remember the reason for the season—kindness, gratitude, faith, service, or simply breathing in a quiet room with a cookie.

If the day wobbles? At least you’re not in a barn surrounded by animals giving birth. You’ve got this.

One Clear Action (CTA)

Tell us how the community can support mothers—take the 2-minute Thrive Momma survey: https://forms.gle/4CAw1BJmP2CCxLMMA