Here are 25 Christmas activities for survivors of narcissistic abuse. We hope that each Christmas Activity can help you in your healing journey and prepare you for a new year and phase of your life.
December 1: Shortlist the people you want to buy gifts for as the first Christmas Activity.
Avoid wasting your time, energy, and money on narcissistic individuals. Cherish those who stood by you throughout the year. Make a list of your supportive friends, relatives or therapists.
Don’t forget to include yourself in the list. Treat yourself to something you’ve always wanted. If there’s nobody to cherish you, do it for yourself.
December 2: Decide on a christmas gift for each person you have shortlisted.
Gifts don’t have to be expensive; you can do something thoughtful for them. It could be your time or helping with a chore.
If you feel obligated to buy gifts for narcissistic people, consider purchasing something inexpensive and generic.
December 3: Declutter your space from things that remind you of narcissists.
Dispose of items associated with unpleasant memories. You may also repurpose them into a piece of art or Christmas decor.
In my case, there was a photograph gifted by a narcissist. Despite the negative association, it had a beautiful frame. I replaced the image with a new drawing while keeping the frame. This can be a powerful way to reclaim your life and space.
December 4: Declutter your online space
Clean your email inbox; unsubscribe from things you no longer use; delete pictures that evoke negative feelings; delete apps you no longer use; remove and delete files or folders you no longer use.
Block narcissists and their enablers on social media. Unfollow people on social media you no longer resonate with.
December 5: Online Detox as a Christmas Activity
Consider quitting social media, at least until the new year. Deactivate all social media accounts until the end of the holidays.
Use the free time to journal, read, meditate, or engage in something you never had time to do. Spend that time with people you truly cherish. Utilize this time to prepare for the new year and discover your core values.
December 6: Create Christmas decor from items that evoke bad memories.
Consider making decorative items from things associated with narcissists or that remind you of something very painful. This could involve repurposing old clothes, breaking things to create new ornaments, or replacing old pictures in frames with new ones.
You can read more about DIY christmas decorations here:
https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g907/craft-ideas-for-christmas-decorations-1209/
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/home-lifestyle/crafts-diy/g33549660/christmas-decoration-ideas/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/how-to/g2203/christmas-decoration-ideas/
https://www.housebeautiful.com/entertaining/holidays-celebrations/g3952/diy-christmas-decorations/
2December 7: Think of a new Christmas tradition you want to add.
Consider creating a new Christmas tradition for yourself or your family. Reclaim your holidays by establishing customs with the people you love and cherish.
This could involve baking or cooking a special recipe, going for a hike, watching a particular movie, playing a board game, or making a simple family ornament each year.
December 8: Watch a movie/TV show you were unable to finish/enjoy that stirs negative emotions associated with narcissists.
For me, it was the entire Harry Potter series, introduced to me by a narcissist. I had only watched the Harry Potter movies with narcissists, making it difficult to fully enjoy the series. This Christmas season, I plan to rewatch the entire series.
December 9: Bake/cook a new recipe or create your own new Christmas recipe.
Trying new things can boosts self confidence but also helps in creating new neural connections.
When we encounter new experiences, we engage our senses and forge fresh neural pathways to navigate these unfamiliar scenarios.
The brain responds to novel stimuli by releasing dopamine, triggering activation in the midbrain area. This activation, in turn, reinforces long-term memory and facilitates learning.
December 10: Visit a place that brought you joy before narcissists.
Consider taking a short trip to your favorite park, cafe, or beach. Revisit a location you once loved but had to stop going to because of narcissists.
December 11: Plan and host a Christmas party for yourself or for your fellow empaths.
Instead of traditional Christmas parties, consider creating a new gathering and inviting people you truly cherish. If they cannot make it, host a party for yourself, incorporating things you love and have always wanted to do.
The party doesn’t have to be expensive; it could involve the foods you love, decorating a space in your taste, or simply hosting a game night.
December 12: Consider donating to charities that support abuse survivors.
If donating is challenging, try engaging in community service in that realm. You might even explore starting a non-profit for these causes.
December 13: Consider doing your Christmas shopping at shops or stores that align with your values.
Support the local economy and farmers, and consider purchasing sustainable products that benefit the environment. You can also choose to shop from stores that support causes such as LGBTQI+ rights, women’s rights, or employ victims of abuse.
December 14: Volunteer
Spend time at a local shelter, soup kitchen, or another volunteer organization. You can find local opportunities through FoodPantries.org or FeedingAmerica.org.
December 15: Visit/talk to lonely people
Consider visiting an elder care home, a senior center, or another facility where individuals may experience loneliness during the holidays.
December 16:Reconnect with old friends / teachers / relatives
Take the time to reach out to people you’ve lost touch with but who have played a significant role in your journey. Express your gratitude and reconnect with those who have shown empathy and support. Use this Christmas season as an opportunity to rekindle connections and share meaningful moments.
December 17: Try to write down every compliments you have heard about yourself.
Narcissists only focus on what is negative about us, and in their company, we tend to focus on all things we are not. They project their insecurities onto us and tend to create new insecurities in us and bad beliefs about ourselves.
So it is important to remind ourselves of our good side—our strengths, what we are good at.
December 18: Write down all your achievements.
Make a list of things you are proud of. What were you like during that time? What do you think helped you achieve them? What were the kinds of people around you during those times?
Look at the patterns that helped you achieve your goals. Try to take lessons from your past.
December 19: Attempt to do things that narcissists told you not to attempt, if you are still interested in them.
Maybe they made fun of you for attempting your hand in something because you always wanted to try it. Try to pick that up as a hobby.
Try to do things they told you never can or actively discouraged.
December 20: Try Guided Meditations.
Meditation can aid in enhancing neuroplasticity and cognitive functions. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s capacity to adapt and create new pathways and connections in adulthood. about ourselves.
December 21: Create a vision board.
Being goal-oriented and driven will give you a sense of purpose and, in turn, can boost your self-esteem.
It can be an indicator of what you are capable of and why you wake up in the morning.
Put up images of what you want to achieve in a year, either on paper or online. Break them down into smaller goals and try to accomplish a small goal every day.
Achieving these small goals can boost your self-esteem every single day.
Resources on how to create vision boards can be found below:
https://artfulparent.com/make-vision-board-works-10-steps/
https://jackcanfield.com/blog/vision-board/
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-make-a-vision-board
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=592nFPbw49I
December 22: Consider starting a bullet journal.
Track your progress weekly or monthly. For example, monitor the number of hours you dedicate to work or study, track your sleep duration, and note any changes in your weight.
If you’re interested in creating a detailed bullet journal to track your progress, you can find more information in this article.
https://ungaslited.com/narcissistic-abuse-recovery-create-a-bullet-journal/
December 23: Plan your DREAM LIFE
Planning your dream life is so much fun. Don’t limit yourself here. We are not here to listen to the voices of narcissists and bullies in our heads.
Note down your dreams that you wish to fulfill in the next decade or the next 5 years. A step-by-step guide to designing your dream life is given here.
December 24: Gift yourself something special
It could be a book, skincare product, or a painting brush—anything that you’ve always wanted to buy for yourself but postponed. It could even be indulging in something you love to eat.
December 25: Your personal YES day
If you are single, prioritize yourself. Spend an entire day doing everything from morning till night that brings you absolute joy. Give yourself a personal ‘YES’ day to make the most of this year.