How to Be Truly Present This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and gathering with loved ones. But too often, we get swept up in the rush—planning, shopping, decorating, and trying to make everything perfect. In the process, we sometimes lose sight of what truly matters: being fully and truly present with the people we love.
This year, what if we approached the holiday season a little differently? Instead of focusing on the hustle and material gifts, we can focus on the moments that matter—on connection, presence, and making memories.
Here are five simple ways to bring more presence into your holiday season and experience a deeper, more meaningful celebration.
1. Prioritize Connection Over Perfection
We often put pressure on ourselves to create the perfect holiday—perfect meals, perfect decorations, and perfect plans. But in striving for perfection, we can miss the opportunity to truly connect with our loved ones.
Let go of the need for everything to be flawless and focus on being present in the moment. Whether it’s sitting down for a meal, watching a movie together, or simply chatting by the fire, these moments of connection are what make the holidays truly special.
Start a new tradition that’s centered around spending time together—like baking cookies as a family, going on a holiday walk, or sharing stories from past celebrations.
2. Put Away Distractions
In our always-connected world, it’s easy to let our phones, laptops, and social media take up our attention. But these distractions can pull us away from the people who are right in front of us.
Make it a point to set aside your devices during holiday gatherings. Put your phone on silent, or better yet, leave it in another room. This simple act can free you to be fully engaged with your loved ones and create meaningful interactions.
Try a family “tech-free” night during the holidays—turn off devices and spend time playing games, reading together, or sharing a meal without distractions.
3. Practice Active Listening
Being present isn’t just about physically being in the same room—it’s about truly engaging with the people around you. One of the best ways to do this is by practicing active listening.
When someone is talking to you, focus fully on what they’re saying. Make eye contact, listen without interrupting, and show empathy through your responses. This kind of deep listening shows that you care and value their thoughts and feelings.
During holiday gatherings, ask open-ended questions that encourage conversation and storytelling. Instead of the usual “How have you been?”, try “What’s one thing you’ve been grateful for this year?” or “What’s your favorite holiday memory?”
4. Create Moments of Calm
The holidays can be hectic, but intentionally creating moments of calm can help you stay grounded and present. Whether it’s stepping outside for fresh air, sitting quietly with a cup of tea, or doing a short mindfulness exercise, taking time to slow down allows you to recharge and be more present when you rejoin the festivities.
Invite your loved ones to join you in a calming activity—like taking a holiday walk, meditating together, or even practicing gratitude by sharing things you’re thankful for from the past year.
Set aside a few minutes each day to check in with yourself. How are you feeling? What do you need in this moment? By prioritizing your own well-being, you’ll be better able to show up for others.
…intentionally creating moments of calm can help you stay grounded and present.
5. Give the Gift of Presence
Instead of focusing on material gifts this year, consider giving the gift of your time and attention. Whether it’s helping someone decorate their home, cooking a meal together, or simply spending quality time with a friend, these are the moments that create lasting memories and foster deeper relationships.
Write out “presence vouchers” as holiday gifts—little cards that offer your time or help. For example, you could give someone a “coupon” for an afternoon spent together, a home-cooked meal, or a fun outing of their choice.
Take it a step further by giving the gift of presence to your wider community. Volunteer at a local charity, visit someone who might be lonely during the holidays, or donate to an organization that helps those in need.
Our Present of Presence Campaign
At Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute, we believe that the most valuable gift we can offer—whether in our personal relationships or in therapy—is our presence. This holiday season, we invite you to help us bring that gift to more people in Houston by supporting our “Present of Presence” campaign.
Our goal is to raise $20,000 to provide therapy to individuals who may not otherwise have access to it. Through the power of therapeutic presence, we can offer healing and support to those in need. Your donation, no matter the size, will help us provide this life-changing gift to more Houstonians.
Join us in making this holiday season one of connection, compassion, and presence.
Donate now to help us reach our goal and make therapy accessible for all. Together, we can create a different kind of holiday—one that’s filled with presence, healing, and hope.
Ditch your to-do list for this “to-be” list
Clinical Director
Dr. Amy Fuller
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