✨ 5 Steps to Making Holiday Magic (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Glue Gun)

Erica Soto
Nov 12
6 min read

Because sometimes the real holiday magic starts with paint, cafecito, and a whole lot of laughter.

If your holiday to-do list is growing faster than your patience, take a deep breath, here’s your guide to making the season magical without losing your mind (or your glue gun).

It’s November 11th and the mom mode in me is officially activated. The calendar says there’s still time, but my brain says panic now because somehow the holiday countdown has already begun.

As a mom, I feel deeply responsible for the magic that happens in my household. And before you say, “Magic? You mean exhaustion with a side of when did I turn into the head elf?”,

hear me out.

Yes, I do make magic.

At the flip of a switch (and maybe a strong cup of espresso), my home transforms. The stockings are hung, cookies bake, the twinkle lights glow, and suddenly it feels like I run a small branch of the North Pole.

But here’s the thing we feel that pressure to make magic happen. Because deep down, many of us carry a little bit of guilt. We want our kids to have the kind of joy we dreamed about. We want our families to feel special, even if we can’t give them everything we see online or what other families seem to have.

The truth is, the magic doesn’t just appear. It’s something we build through small, intentional choices, through connection, kindness, and creativity, not just consumer chaos.

Start with my favorite sanity saver, a good old-fashioned mind dump! Grab a paper and pen and write it all out. Every expectation, every worry, every “I still need to…” goes on the list. Santa’s not the only one who needs to check it twice.

Because even if you bought everything on your list, it still might not feel right. That’s because real holiday magic doesn’t come from stuff. It comes from the moments that make you laugh, the people who make you feel seen, and the love that makes everything glow.

So after we let go of all our holiday anxieties, we make a plan to move forward, with hope, intention, and a little sparkle. ✨

Here are my five steps to making holiday magic that lasts longer than the seven days and seven nights.

🪄 Step 1 · Create Your Holiday Circle of Joy

Boundaries, yes, what every great holiday needs! Holidays are like paint; they spread, they mix, and who you blend them with? That’s where the real color comes in.

Surround yourself with the right people. Spend time with those who fill your cup, not drain it.

Let go of perfection. You can’t always choose who shows up at your holiday table, but you can choose how YOU show up. Stay rooted in your values, lead with kindness, and let your warmth color the room.

Be the soft place to land. Whether it’s a friend who needs cheering up or a loved one missing someone, your kindness can be the magic they need. The magic begins when you choose joy and act from your heart, no matter what’s happening around you.

🎁 Step 2 · Shop at Home First

Before you add another item to your cart, shop your home first. You might already have everything you need to make something meaningful. You might even find those hidden treasures from last year.

Try These Ideas:

Empty baskets? Turn them into cozy gift sets
Dust off that craft bin and let your glue gun shine! You know you bought all that stuff for a reason, USE IT!
Take a quick trip down memory lane and Print some physical copies of the precious moments! Check out the FREE PRINTS app.
Check your pantry for baking supplies or spices you need for the holiday prep before you add to that cinnamon collection. (I currently have 4 and the STICKS)

🎨 Step 3: Make Something

Nothing brings people together like creativity. Whether it’s paint, glitter, or glue, the joy is in the making.

Creative Holiday Ideas:

Print coloring pages and have a coloring session. Frame the best ones and use them to decorate around the house.
Use old mail and magazines to papercraft to make a holiday mosaic.
Go on a trip to the park to find and paint pinecones.
Join one of my FREE virtual paint nights with Yonkers Public Library (Check Tuesdays at 4 pm on the calendar on www.ypl.org)
Whip up a batch of your family's favorite seasoning blend, like a dry BBQ Rub, or we make a Famous Homemade adobo or dry sofrito, or bake something simple and heartfelt. Wrap it in ribbon, add a handwritten note, and you’ve got a gift that smells like love.
Create homemade ornaments. Try my Salt Dough Ornament Recipe below.

🧂 Salt Dough Ornament Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup flour
½ cup salt
½ cup warm water

Instructions

Mix flour and salt.
Stir in water until dough forms.
Roll to ¼-inch thick.
Cut shapes (stars, hearts, angels). Place shapes on Parchment Paper.
Poke hole with straw or skewer.
Bake at 250°F for 2 hours or until dry.
Cool, then paint, and when dry, seal with Mod Podge or clear spray.

Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm holiday scent. Don't have cookie cutters? Find a printable online for characters and cut them out to use as tracers.

Add a little magic with a holiday playlist. 🎧 My Pandora Playlist Recommendations: Puerto Rican Christmas Station, Nat King Cole Station, and Mariah Carey Christmas Station on repeat!

🌟 Step 4 · Make a Holiday Bucket List

The holidays are about doing what makes you feel magical! Skip the stress of standing in line for Santa just to watch a meltdown in real time. Instead, sit down with your family and dream up what your version of joyful holiday traditions looks like.

A Few Favorites:

Drive around to find the best Christmas lights display!
Dress Cute and Take the Metro North to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and take photos (and maybe grab a pretzel! My Sophi's favorite)
Make hot cocoa and watch a holiday classic like Elf or Rudolph or The ORIGINAL Grinch.
Host a YouTube Karaoke Holiday Sing-a-long, level up with a Five Below Microphone.
Visit your local library for free events (Westchester County has 40+ libraries, and I’ll be teaching at a few.)
Find influencers on IG or TikTok that have places they recommend to visit, some even for free!

💌 Step 5: The Power of a Surprise

When all the shopping, baking, and wrapping are finally done, what people remember most isn’t the gifts, it’s those little moments of unexpected joy.

And no, that doesn’t mean popping in unannounced like your overly enthusiastic bestie! Instead, find small ways to sprinkle in a bit of holiday magic through surprise and kindness.

Be of service to someone who could use an extra dose of warmth this season, offer a ride, drop off groceries, or send holiday cards to a senior center or children’s hospital.

Call someone just to say, “I’m so glad you’re in my life.” Write a heartfelt note to a teacher or mentor who made a difference. Leave a small surprise for a neighbor who always greets you with a smile.

Because the greatest joy often comes from the smallest gestures, a kind word, a helping hand, or a reminder that someone matters. That’s the heart of the holidays: love, gratitude, and connection.

✉️ A five-minute phone call or a card can be the real gift someone needs this year.

✨ This Season, Let’s Create Magic Together

You can catch me doing just that... slowing down, painting, and savoring every artful moment. Whether I’m creating with my family, hosting a cozy paint night, or stirring a pot of rice while Christmas music fills the air, I’m focusing on what really matters: joy, laughter, and connection. Want to paint with me this season? Join one of my cozy holiday paint nights , perfect for families, friends, and anyone who needs a little creative joy. So grab your paintbrush, your glue gun, and maybe a cookie or three. Let’s make this season merry, messy, and full of meaning because that’s where the magic truly lives. 💫