Honest review of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Comfort and Joy

by Beth Kempton (Author)

Updated at: 17/02/2025

Feeling overwhelmed by the holiday rush? Beth Kempton's Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year offers a refreshing alternative to the pressure-cooker festive season. This charming guide encourages a mindful approach to Christmas and New Year, prioritizing self-care and meaningful connections over frantic activity. Discover how to cultivate calm amidst the celebrations, savour cherished traditions, and use the winter hush for reflection and goal-setting. Through personal stories and practical tips, Kempton helps you create a truly joyful holiday season, leaving you feeling rested, rejuvenated, and ready to embrace the new year with renewed purpose, rather than exhaustion and regret. Find your peace and discover the magic of a truly calm Christmas.

Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Comfort and Joy

4.6 / 530 ratings

Review Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year

"Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year" by Beth Kempton isn't just a book; it's a warm hug wrapped in pages. It's the kind of book you curl up with on a snowy afternoon, a mug of something comforting nearby, and let the gentle words wash over you. The author's approach is incredibly inviting—she speaks to you like a wise, understanding friend, offering guidance without judgment. Forget the frantic, stressed-out holiday season often portrayed in media; Kempton paints a picture of a different kind of Christmas, one filled with intention, mindfulness, and genuine joy.

What struck me most is the book's practicality. It's not just filled with fluffy sentiments; it provides concrete suggestions and thoughtful prompts to help you examine your own holiday traditions and expectations. It gently encourages you to identify what truly brings you peace and happiness during this time of year, and to let go of the pressures of societal expectations or the relentless pursuit of perfection. This self-reflection is woven seamlessly into the narrative, making it feel like a personal journey of discovery rather than a chore. The personal anecdotes shared by Kempton add a layer of warmth and authenticity, making her advice feel relatable and approachable.

I particularly appreciated the book's structure, which divides the holiday season into distinct phases: anticipation, celebration, and reflection. This framework provides a helpful roadmap for navigating the entire period, offering specific suggestions for each stage. Whether it's finding creative ways to decorate your home, engaging in mindful activities, or setting intentions for the New Year, the book offers a wealth of inspiration to make the holidays more meaningful and less stressful.

The writing itself is beautifully calming. It's simple yet elegant, and the tone is consistently reassuring and supportive. It's the kind of book you can reread year after year, discovering new insights and inspiration each time, as the reader's own life and perspectives evolve. The book's physical format also contributes to its overall charm – its size is perfectly manageable, making it easy to carry around or to tuck away on a bedside table for moments of quiet contemplation.

"Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year" is a truly unique gift, not just for others but for yourself. It’s a reminder that the holidays are about connection, reflection, and creating cherished memories, not about external pressures or an exhausting to-do list. This book is a treasure to be savored, a guiding light to navigate the season with more peace, joy, and a renewed appreciation for the simple things. It’s a book I will undoubtedly return to year after year, always finding something new to cherish within its pages. It’s a testament to the power of mindful living, and a beacon of calm in the often-chaotic holiday season.