Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Self-Care by Beth Kempton Summary
Overview of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year
Reclaim your holiday joy with Beth Kempton's mindful guide to escaping Christmas chaos. Endorsed by Vanity Fair and celebrated by author Jen Hatmaker, this little book helps you craft meaningful traditions beyond commercial pressure. What's your unique Christmas story waiting to be discovered?
- Define your ideal Christmas story to reduce stress and align traditions
- Create "The Hush" ritual between Christmas and New Year for mindful reflection
- Replace commercial obligations with hygge-inspired moments of cozy connection
- Design gift-giving around meaningful presence rather than perfect presents
- Audit holiday activities using "joy vs obligation" decision framework
- Host smaller gatherings focused on conversation over culinary perfection
- Establish December budget boundaries to prevent New Year financial regret
- Curate personalized winter playlists and scents to trigger calm nostalgia
- Schedule intentional solitude amid social commitments for energy renewal
- Craft a "Christmas legacy" document capturing core family values
- Use January planning to spread festive prep across entire year
- Transform post-holiday cleanup into gratitude practice through purposeful decluttering
About the Author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year
Beth Kempton, bestselling author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year, is a British Japanologist and self-help expert renowned for blending Eastern philosophy with practical lifestyle wisdom.
Her book, a heartfelt guide to mindful holiday celebrations, draws on her dual expertise in cultural coordination and life coaching, offering strategies to reframe festivities with intention—particularly for those navigating grief or loneliness.
A former UNICEF partnership manager and founder of the Do What You Love platform, Kempton has authored multiple celebrated works, including Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life (translated into 24 languages) and Freedom Seeker, which explore themes of resilience, simplicity, and creative living.
She hosts The Fearless Writer Podcast and leads the SoulCircle writing community on Substack, where she shares insights from her decades of cross-cultural experience.
Kempton’s holistic approach, shaped by years living in Japan and organizing global events like the 2012 London Olympics, continues to inspire over 100,000 students worldwide through her transformative courses.
FAQs About Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year
What is Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton about?
Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year is a mindfulness guide for reducing holiday stress and cultivating joy through intentional celebration. It divides the season into three phases: pre-Christmas preparations, Christmas Week festivities, and the reflective period between Christmas and New Year’s. The book blends personal stories, cultural traditions, and practical advice to help readers prioritize meaningful rituals over commercial pressures.
Who should read Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year?
This book is ideal for anyone feeling overwhelmed by holiday demands or seeking a more mindful, joy-centered approach to seasonal traditions. It’s especially valuable for those navigating grief, loneliness, or family complexities during festivities, offering strategies to reframe expectations and create nourishing experiences.
Is Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year worth reading?
Yes, particularly for readers wanting to reclaim the holidays’ magic without burnout. While some advice isn’t groundbreaking, its structured journaling prompts, reflective questions (e.g., “What kind of Christmas would nourish you most?”), and emphasis on self-care provide actionable tools to reduce stress and align celebrations with personal values.
What are the three phases of the holiday season in Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year?
Kempton organizes the season into:
- Pre-Christmas: Planning with intention, focusing on meaningful traditions.
- Christmas Week: Managing chaos through mindfulness and presence.
- The Hush: The post-Christmas period for reflection, rest, and setting mindful New Year’s goals.
How does Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year address loneliness during the holidays?
The book acknowledges emotional challenges and suggests creating “micro-moments of joy,” embracing solitude for reflection, and connecting with community through small, intentional acts. Kempton shares personal anecdotes about finding peace in quiet rituals, offering compassionate guidance for those without traditional social networks.
What unique cultural traditions are featured in Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year?
Kempton weaves in global winter customs, such as Scandinavian hygge, Japanese New Year rituals (oshōgatsu), and Welsh plygain singing services. These examples highlight diverse ways to celebrate stillness, connection, and renewal, enriching readers’ own holiday practices.
Does Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year include journaling prompts?
Yes, each chapter provides reflective questions like, “Given your year, what kind of Christmas would nourish you most?” and “What traditions no longer serve you?” These prompts help readers identify priorities, release unnecessary obligations, and design a personalized holiday experience.
How does Beth Kempton’s background influence Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year?
Kempton’s expertise in Japanese wellness philosophies (wabi-sabi, kokoro) informs the book’s emphasis on simplicity, imperfection, and heart-centered living. Her career as a life coach and cultural interpreter also shines through in cross-cultural insights and stress-management strategies.
What is “The Hush” in Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year?
“The Hush” refers to the week between Christmas and New Year’s, which Kempton frames as a time for restorative practices like nature walks, gratitude journaling, and setting gentle intentions. This period is presented as an antidote to post-holiday exhaustion, encouraging readers to recharge.
How does Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year approach gift-giving?
The book advocates mindful gifting with questions like, “Is this gift meaningful?” and “Does it align with my values?” It suggests alternatives like handmade items, experiences, or charitable donations to reduce commercial pressure and foster connection.
What are common critiques of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year?
Some readers note the advice leans toward those with scheduling flexibility and financial stability. However, many praise its adaptable frameworks for simplifying celebrations regardless of circumstances, making it a useful tool for reframing holiday stress.
How does Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year compare to other holiday wellness books?
Unlike generic self-help guides, Kempton’s book combines structured planning with poetic reflections on winter’s spiritual potential. Its focus on post-holiday renewal (The Hush) and cross-cultural wisdom offers a unique blend of practicality and introspection.
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Key Themes in Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year
Quotes from Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year
We're not all experiencing the same Christmas.
Tradition requires commitment.
Christmas has evolved into a $1 trillion global industry.
Holiday burnout has become normalized.
Characters in Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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