3 Stylist staffers on the importance of being selfish during party season (and what they’re planning to do instead)

“This year, instead of saying yes to every festive invite, I’m going to be spending more time at home with the family.

Like everyone else on instagram, we’re renovating our home. We have a final push in to get the house more ‘finished’ before Christmas so this year, I plan to reap the rewards of all our months of hard work this year, by spending lots of time at home during the festive season.

We have two young kids, and they are the perfect ages for all the Christmas magic for this time of year. 

We’ll be having lots of ‘movie nights’ starting at 4pm, just as it starts to get dark, bringing in cushions and blankets to make it cosy on the floor, lighting candles over the fireplace and enjoying the sparkles of the decorations while we snack on popcorn and seasonal treats and watch classics like The Polar Express and Home Alone.

I love baking with my daughter, so we’ll be making some gingerbread biscuits and decorating them over the weekend. I love doing things that really force me to be present with my kids, without screens or phones and get as creative and messy as possible! We’ll then wrap them up as little gifts for her teacher and friends for the end of school.

It’s been a really busy year for us, with going back to work after mat leave, my oldest starting school, and trying to fit in all the renovations around work and life. So even more than most years, I’m really craving some downtime and more days spent resting and enjoying simple things like walks in park, cooking and long baths. 

But most importantly spending quality time as a family, when we’re not rushing around for the school and nursery run or popping to B&Q for more tools and materials! 

I’m not sure if that’s selfish but definitely a reason to say no to those extra invites and just enjoy the slower pace of life at home.”

Anna, art director

“No joke. By the start of November (November?), my December is always guaranteed to be el rammo.

Between the festive drinks, meals, roasts, catch-ups, dog walks, baby walks, mates walks, brunches, bowling, burgers and everything else in between, by the time Christmas Day happens, I’m usually too exhausted to even pull a cracker, let alone engage with my family like a normal human being.

Yes, its fun: but this kind of festive chaos simply isn’t sustainable, and this year, I’m dialling it right back – for both my finances, and my emotional wellbeing.

My plan for Christmas 2025 is to partake in a few well-placed social soirées (i.e. the ones that have a hard 10pm finish) alongside something I like to call the ‘SCL’ – or, the Self-care Christmas List. 

This list involves setting aside specific times in which to just wallow in the luxury of not doing much, and not succumbing to the FOMO that often occurs after declining a few festive invites. Burning the candle at both ends really doesn’t make for a Merry Christmas, and finally, I’m prioritising myself rather than everyone else.

My most luxurious SCL usually involves an absurdly long shower, using my favourite method® body and hair products, before slathering myself in magnesium body butter and getting into sweats (the slouchier the better). My particular fave at this time of year is the wind down body wash, which is infused with chamomile, starflower and blue lavender for ultimate snoozy vibes.

Then (*nerd alert*) a Lord of the Rings marathon. Candles on. Snacks? A cheeseboard (because it’s Christmas). There will probably be some kind of red wine involved too, because I like to feel a bit fancy.

To be honest, even writing about this makes me feel like I’m already winning at party season when we’ve barely even started. Get on the SCL – I promise, you won’t be disappointed!”

AJ, commercial editor

“There’s a particular joy in declining a party invite with the confidence of someone who has already pulled on their favourite cosy jumper and fleece-lined joggers. 

Once those are on, it’s over for everyone else - I’m immovable. Party season has a way of swallowing every spare evening, so this year I’m embracing the radical act of self-prioritising.

My guilt-free selfish weekend looks like this: a morning mocha with my little cat snuggled sweetly beside me. From there, it’s a strict schedule of soft-life rituals. Gentle Pilates stretching followed by me stuffing myself inside my sauna blanket like a human lasagne, emerging only for snacks and herbal tea. 

I then lie dramatically across the sofa as though I’ve climbed a mountain and watch romcoms where absolutely nothing stressful happens. At some point, I’ll order a takeaway - something comforting, ideally in a container I can eat directly from to minimise both effort and dignity. Finally, a quick skincare moment and early to bed with my feline white-noise machine.

Honestly, who needs a dance floor when my cat and I have perfected the art of mutual loafing?”

Georgina, senior manager - digital delivery