Hey Friends,

Welcome back to Wine After Bedtime, my cozy little corner of My Life As A Mom where we unwind, reflect, and find a little humor and solace in this chaotic yet beautiful world of parenting.

Tonight’s edition comes with twinkle lights.

Because let’s be honest: the holidays are magical, and the holidays are a lot. Somewhere between the shopping lists, the wrapping, the cooking, the school events, and trying to make everything feel special for everybody else, Mom can quietly run herself completely empty.

So tonight, we’re not adding one more thing to your list. We’re closing the list. The kids are settled, the house is getting quiet, and the to-do list is officially done for the night — even if it’s not finished.

Now it’s time to do something just for you.

Holiday tired is a different kind of tired

Regular tiredness is a long day. Holiday tiredness is a long day plus a running mental list that never turns off.

Did I order that gift? Where did I hide the other one? What am I bringing on Thursday? Did I move the well, you know. Your brain keeps working long after your body sits down.

That’s exactly why your wind-down matters more in November and December, not less. You don’t need a big spa night or a weekend away. You need a small, repeatable pause that tells your brain: we’re done for today. We’re safe to rest.

The goal isn’t the wine. The goal is the pause.

My holiday wind-down routine — 5 simple steps

This is the holiday version of my favorite ways to unwind. I kept it short on purpose, because a routine with ten steps is just another task. Five is enough.

1. Set the mood. Turn the lights down and light a candle. I still love warm scents like vanilla, lavender, sandalwood, and cashmere and this time of year, anything with a little cinnamon, pine, or warm amber makes the whole room feel like the holidays without me doing a thing.

2. Get comfortable. Change into your favorite pajamas, your coziest socks, and grab your softest blanket. Getting out of the day’s clothes is how I tell myself mom mode is off and me mode is on.

3. Pour something special. Wine, a mocktail, tea, or sparkling water more on my picks below. Use your favorite glass. It sounds small, and it makes an ordinary night feel intentional.

4. Pick one thing, and put the phone down. A book, a favorite show, or a quiet playlist and put your phone down for at least 30 minutes. No scrolling the sales, no checking the list, no answering one more message tonight.

5. Reflect, reset, and let the rest wait. Before bed, name one thing from today you’re grateful for, and one thing that can wait until tomorrow. Then let it wait.

My tip: Keep your candle, blanket, and current book in the same spot every night. When your wind-down is already set up, you’re far more likely to actually do it — especially on the busiest nights.

Pour something special

Sometimes I enjoy a glass of wine as part of my evening wind-down, and the holidays are one of those times when a quiet glass in a pretty chair, next to the tree lights, just feels right.

One of my favorite ways to make an ordinary evening feel special is exploring ONEHOPE Wine. I love that ONEHOPE combines wine with a charitable giving mission, making it a brand with a purpose beyond the bottle which feels especially fitting in a season that’s supposed to be about giving.

My picks for the holidays are dessert wine and the sparkling moscato because this time of year, I want something a little sweet and a little sparkly.

The dessert wine is my cozy, end-of-the-night pour, the kind that feels like a treat all on its own. And the sparkling moscato? That’s my bubbly one light, sweet, and just festive enough for a quiet celebration by the tree lights. I love having both on hand, so I can pour whichever one fits the night.

Whether you’re planning a quiet night at home or a girls’ night in, explore their selections and find something that fits your evening.

Shop ONEHOPE Wine: https://onehopewine.com/?ref=taquela-hudson

Enjoy responsibly. If you’re responsible for nighttime caregiving, driving, or responding to an emergency, choose a nonalcoholic option or wait until you’re finished with those responsibilities.

No wine tonight? Try this cranberry-orange sparkler

Wine is always optional in this series. A favorite mocktail can make the same ritual feel just as special and this one looks like the holidays in a glass.

• Pour over ice: cranberry juice

• sparkling water or ginger ale, to top

• a splash of orange juice

• Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary or an orange slice, if you have them

It’s tart, bubbly, and pretty enough that you won’t feel like you’re missing anything. Hot tea, hot cocoa, or sparkling water with lime work beautifully here, too.

A cozy read is the easiest holiday escape

You know I love a good book, and reading is still my favorite way to quiet a busy brain. You don’t have to finish a whole book or even a whole chapter. Even 15 or 20 minutes before bed can become a little ritual you look forward to, even in the busiest week of the year.

Not sure what to pick up? Go back to my Wine After Bedtime reading list, 10 Books for a Cozy Mom’s Night In the mysteries, thrillers, and romances there are perfect for curling up with right now.

Read the list: https://mylifehobbiesasamom.com/2026/10/10/wine-after-bedtime-10-books-for-a-cozy-moms-night-in/

And if you’re looking for your next great read and a group of ladies to talk books with, come join us:

Join Between the Wines Book Club — Fable Ladies with Taquela Hudson: https://fable.co/club/fable-ladies-with-taquela-hudson-498917921626

Because a little reading time is always a good idea holidays included.

What I’m letting go of this year

Can I be honest for a minute? The most restful thing I’m doing this holiday season isn’t something I’m adding. It’s what I’m giving myself permission to skip.

• Not every gift needs perfect wrapping. A gift bag is not a failure.

• Not every night needs a big, from-scratch dinner. Leftovers and a quiet table count.

• Not every invitation needs a yes. A kind no protects your peace.

• Clutter does not get to take up space in every corner. Clear a little at a time, and let the house breathe.

• The house does not have to look like a magazine to feel like Christmas to your family.

Mama, your kids will remember how the holidays felt at home far more than they’ll remember whether everything matched. A rested mom is part of that feeling. Let the extras go, and keep the moments.

For me, what I’m letting go of this year is clutter.

Not a whole-house overhaul just the piles that quietly pile up. The counter that collects everything, the corner that becomes a drop zone, the extra stuff taking up space and stealing my peace a little at a time. I’m clearing it out bit by bit, because a calmer space makes for a calmer wind-down and I want my cozy corner to actually feel cozy when I sit down at night.

My perfect holiday Wine After Bedtime night

If I could put together my ideal holiday evening, it would look something like this:

• Get everyone settled for the night.

• Put on my favorite pajamas and cozy socks.

• Light a beautiful scented candle and turn on the tree lights.

• Prepare a favorite drink dessert wine, sparkling moscato, tea, or my cranberry-orange sparkler.

• Enjoy a little skincare and a warm shower or bath.

• Curl up in my favorite chair with a soft blanket and a good book.

• Relax without worrying about tomorrow’s to-do list.

Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

A little reminder for every mom

Mama, you spend so much time showing up for everyone else making the lists, keeping the traditions, holding the whole season together. Don’t forget to show up for yourself, too.

You deserve rest. You deserve laughter. You deserve hobbies, quiet moments, and time to enjoy the little things that make you happy. You don’t have to wait until you’re completely exhausted to take a break, and you don’t have to earn it by finishing everything first.

So here’s to peaceful evenings, twinkle lights, good books, cozy pajamas, and finding little ways to enjoy life after bedtime even in the busiest season of the year.

Until next time, welcome to Wine After Bedtime!

With love,

My Life As A Mom

Now I want to hear from you! What does your holiday wind down look like? Are you a glass of wine and a book mom, a mocktail and a movie mom, or a hot tea and early bed mom this time of year? Tell me in the comments and tell me what you’re reading right now.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also earn commissions from other affiliate links, including ONEHOPE Wine, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting My Life As A Mom!

Wine note: Enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly, if you choose to drink. Alcohol is not necessary for a cozy night in; a favorite nonalcoholic drink works just as well.