The days between Christmas and New Years is the perfect time to get in some much needed “me time.”

As much as I love the holiday season (and I love it A LOT), the end of the year can also be exhausting, especially after the crazy year we had.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from 2020, it is the importance of self-care and self-love. So, save some time for yourself in the next couple days and spoil yourself a bit. Below, you will find some therapeutic ideas to help you relax, recuperate, and regenerate. Let the pampering begin!

1. Take a Bubble Bath with Scented Candles

This one is a bit tricky for me, because you gotta wipe the bathtub down first, then wait for the water to fill (any other instant-gratificationers out there?). You also gotta make sure the water is at the perfect temperature, which takes some monitoring.

With that said, once I get over these understandably very easy steps, I loooove a nice bath. I always feel brand new after one.

As a wedding planner, I always have tons of votive candles laying around the house, so I like to line them up ALL around my bathtub like I’m about to get sacrificed by witches or something. Go big or go home, right?

Throw in some of your favorite bath salts (or bubbles), light a scented candle (this Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Candle is my favorite of all times), then put on your favorite playlist for some much needed “me time.” For me, it’s usually some epic Whitney Houston ballads that sings right into my soul.

2. Let Your Skin Drink-Up with a Sheet Mask

I use a hydrating sheet mask about twice a week.

My skin gets really dry and flakey, especially during the winter months, so being proactive about keeping it hydrated is a big priority for me.

Sometimes, I use it first thing in the morning to help me feel super refreshed and ready for the day. Other times, I use it after I’ve showered in the evening as part of my night-time skincare routine.

This MINON Amino Moist Face Mask is my favorite sheet mask in the world! I can’t rave about this product enough! I first discovered it in one of those magnificent “beauty drug stores” in Japan almost a decade ago and have been using it ever since. Lucky for us, it’s also listed on Amazon! The best thing about this product is that, unlike other sheet masks I’ve tried in the past, this one actually sticks to your face! I can walk around the house without fearing it’s going to slide down my face. Did I mention it’s super affordable, too?

Put one of these on and make some tea. So necessary. So satisfying.

3. Treat Your Body with an Exfoliating Scrub

A good body scrubbing is not only physically cleansing for me - it’s mentally cleansing. Whenever I pamper myself with a good scrub down… it’s like a new beginning. A new day! It’s like I just scrubbed off all the bad juju and bad decisions with the exfoliation, and it feels so damn good.

It’s also terribly fulfilling seeing all that dead skin scrubbed off, isn’t it? It’s like those pimple-popping Youtube videos that bring so much pleasure, in such a twisted way…

This L’Occitane Verbena Body Salt Scrub is what I’m currently using because IT’S ALSO THE ONE WONDER WOMAN USES! I bought this after reading that Gal Gadot (aka. Wonder Woman & the most gorgeous being in the world) uses this product. I mean, that’s all the convincing needed. No questions. End of story. Add to cart, thank you!

L’Occitane Verbena Body Salt Scrub, $28.00 (currently on sale, originally $39.00)

4. Have a Nice Glass (or Two) of Chianti

If this was a post about wellness or healthy living, I would probably be recommending my favorite green tea here. But, fortunately for us, it’s not.

This post is about pampering and treating yourself, so bye-bye tea, hello wine!

My husband and I got married in Florence Italy a couple of years ago, so I always have a soft spot for a good Chianti red wine from Tuscany. Of course, I will never say no to a Barolo, Burgandy, or Bordeaux, but this is my go-to wine on a day-to-day basis.

This is currently my favorite bottle of Chianti, the Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2016. According to James Suckling (rated 94), the wine is a medium body, fresh and bright red with sliced-orange and black-cherry aromas and long-lasting flavors. In other words, it’s yummy, and it’s perfect for an evening of rewinding.

5. Watch Happiest Season (2020)

I know Christmas is over for the year, but watching Christmas Rom-Coms is valid all year long. Some good “me time” just won’t be complete without a movie that makes you laugh out loud. I’m not sure the new Happiest Season will make it on my “Best Holiday Movies List,” but it’s definitely a must-watch this season.

Rated 83% by Rotten Tomatoes, the story goes that a young woman (Kristen Stewart) with a plan to propose to her girlfriend (Mackenzie Davis), while at her family's annual holiday party, discovers her partner hasn't yet come out to her conservative parents.

Did I mention the movie also has Dan Levy from Schitt's Creek playing the gay best friend? What more can you ask for from a movie these days!??

Kristen Stewart & Mackenzie Davis, Happiest Seasons

6. Dance & Sing It Out to Your Favorite Playlist

Of everything on this list, I believe there’s nothing more therapeutic and good for your soul than to dance it out. I love doing this with girlfriends, but it’s equally fun and energizing when I do it with me, myself, and I (yes, this is absolutely what I’m doing at home when the husband is having guys’ night).

It’s just so freeing and empowering, especially when you have the right song on!

Lastly, it is my opinion that his activity is best done in some comfy underwear, so you can fully extend your limbs without being restricted. Let me know if you agree!

If you’re needing some inspirational songs for this ultimate “me time” activity, here’s my “Dance It Out” Spotify Playlist:

So What (P!nk)
Lasting Lover (Sigala, James Arthur)
Shout Out to My Ex (Little Mix)
Born This Way (Lady Gaga)
Lovin’ On You (Luke Combs)
Shut Up and Dance (WALK THE MOON)
I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor Swift)
Stop (Spice Girls)
Wild Ones (Flo Rida feat. Sia)
Firework (Katy Perry)
Tik Tok (Kesha)
Invincible (Kelly Clarkson, Vicetone Mix)
Time of Our Lives (Pitbull, Ne-Yo)
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Whitney Houston)
Love On Top (Beyonce)
High Hopes (Panic! At The Disco)
Mamma Mia (ABBA)
Raise Your Glass (P!nk)
Party In The U.S.A. (Miley Cyrus)
CAN’T STOP THE FEELING! (Justin Timberlake)
Hot N Cold (Katy Perry)
Shake It Off (Taylor Swift)
The Edge of Glory (Lady Gaga)

6 Rejuvenating "Me Night" Ideas