The holidays are a time for cheer, family, food, and—let’s be honest—a whole lot of social obligations. But for writers trying to hit their goals while also being present for loved ones, the season can feel like a juggling act. How do you balance family time, holiday commitments, and your ever-growing to-do list without losing your mind? With a little planning and a few strategic hacks, you can navigate the chaos of the season and still find time for your craft.
Here are 5 savvy holiday hacks for keeping your writing on track while enjoying family time:
1. Plot your week like a Hallmark movie
The holidays can throw all kinds of curveballs your way, but a solid plan will keep you on track all season long. Map out what and when you’ll write, factoring in family events, holiday parties, and must-do activities. Soon enough, all the festive frenzy will be as predictable as bumping into a plaid-clad farmer on a Christmas tree lot. Grab a planner and start mapping your week, so you won’t be thrown off by the plot twists of life.
2. Plan boundaries to prevent holiday chaos
Set a specific time each day or week for writing—whether it’s early mornings, lunch breaks, or late nights when everyone else is tucked in bed watching Home Alone for the hundredth time. Make sure your family knows when you’re in “writing mode” and not available for impromptu holiday gossip sessions or the annual “I want a pet llama for Christmas” pitch. A “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door, noise-canceling headphones, or even a timer for uninterrupted writing time can work wonders. Your family will get the hint when they see that extra chapter getting done!
3. Perfect your holiday hustle
Rigid schedules? Not during the holidays. Flexibility is your friend! Expect the unexpected: random family drop-ins, last-minute shopping trips, or impromptu holiday movie marathons (who can resist?). But here’s the hack—take advantage of those surprise pockets of free time. A quiet afternoon nap time? A sudden lull in the holiday hustle? Perfect! Grab your laptop or notebook and write during those spontaneous moments—even if it’s only for 20 minutes. They add up fast, and before you know it, you’ve made solid progress without derailing your festive fun.
4. Pioneer a merry writing tradition
The holidays are full of quirky family dynamics and hilarious moments that can fuel your writing. Why not turn family gatherings into creative gold mines? Observe the dynamics, the arguments over holiday movies (it’s always Elf), or the awkward conversations that could inspire characters or scenes in your story. Need more ideas? Start a writing tradition where everyone shares their holiday-themed stories after dinner. Or have a friendly competition to write the funniest holiday short story. You’ll bond with your family and get some writing done. Win-win!
5. Pass along the seasonal obligations
Let’s face it—holiday shopping, cooking, decorating, and all those other seasonal responsibilities are real time suckers. If you want to carve out more time for writing, delegate or share the load. Ask your partner or family members to handle a few tasks—whether it’s wrapping presents or picking up the holiday ham. You can even schedule a “task swap,” where everyone pitches in for a set amount of time, giving you a guilt-free window to write. Sharing the holiday workload means less stress for you, so you can enjoy your family time and make steady progress on your writing goals. It’s all about teamwork—and they’ll probably appreciate the break, too.
Conclusion
Be kind to yourself. The holidays are hectic, and there will be days when family and festivities take center stage. That’s okay! Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a writing session or don’t hit every word count target. The key is to give yourself grace, stay flexible, and get back to your writing when you can. Remember, it’s a season of balance, not perfection.