Early November Bucket List: 7 Simple Things to Do Before the Holidays Take Over
David Najar, All Sides of the Story
You know that weird time between Halloween and Thanksgiving, when your porch still has pumpkins, but Target has had shelves of Christmas stuff for two weeks?
That’s right now.
Before the holiday hamster wheel starts spinning, with all the parties, decorating, cooking, hosting, and remembering which relative doesn’t eat gluten, I want to pause for a second.
This little sliver of early November is the calm before the storm. It’s cozy sweater weather, not chaos. It’s cozy fires and warm beverages, not wrapping paper and deadlines. It’s our last chance to breathe before the marathon of togetherness begins.
So, here’s a simple, low-stress bucket list of choices - seven ways to enjoy this quiet stretch of November and stay grounded before the holiday whirlwind arrives.
1. Slow Morning Saturday
Pick one Saturday this month and take it easy. Let the day unfold gradually.
Make pancakes (yes, from a box is easiest!), stay in pajamas until noon, and maybe even have that second cup of coffee while it’s still warm.
If you’re feeling ambitious, invite the kids to help cook. But if that sounds like chaos, hand them a whisk and an empty bowl, and call it invisible batter.
The goal: Slow mornings remind you that rest isn’t wasted time, it’s recovery time.
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2. Take a Family Nature Walk
Nothing fancy. Just walk around your neighborhood or local park and actually notice things.
Have each person find:
One thing they love seeing
One thing they love hearing
One thing they love smelling
You’ll be amazed at what kids point out when we’re not rushing them along.
The goal: Get everyone grounded in the moment. No screens, no agenda, just presence.
3. Write a Gratitude Letter
Before we roll into the full “thankfulness season,” take time to write one note or card to someone who’s made your year a little brighter.
A teacher, neighbor, friend, family member, or even a delivery driver who waves every day. Pick one person and let them know they matter.
It’s a small act, but it carries a big energy. Kids can join in too - their letters might come with bonus glitter and backward letters, but that’s the best part.
The goal: Gratitude doesn’t need a special holiday. Practice it now, before it gets lost in the season.
4. Declutter One Tiny Space
Not your whole house. Just one tiny space.
A junk drawer. The bottom of your purse. Your glovebox.
Set a timer for ten minutes, toss what you don’t need, and let the sense of relief wash over you.
The little steps all add up.
The goal: A small clear space = a small mental reset.
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5. Hot Cocoa & Story Night
No special setup needed. Just mugs of cocoa, a few marshmallows, and everyone gathered together.
Each person can share a favorite memory, a made-up story, or something that made them laugh that week.
There’s something about a warm drink and an open ear slows everyone down. It feels calm, connected, and a little magical.
The goal: To continue storytelling as a family tradition.
6. Phone-Free Family Night
Pick one evening and make it a no-screen zone.
Play a board game, do a puzzle, bake cookies, or tell funny stories from your childhood. (Yes, they’ll roll their eyes, but they’ll also remember it.)
If you’re feeling brave, let the kids pick the activity. But maybe set a few boundaries before an indoor water balloon fight gets voted upon.
The goal: Replace doom scrolling time with actual smiles.
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7. Take a Mental Health Half-Day
Block off a few hours, and make it official. No errands, no chores, no guilt.
Do something that fills your cup: a walk, a nap, reading a book, or just sitting without multitasking.
If you can’t take a full afternoon, claim a few smaller pockets of peace. A 20 minute meditation in the waterfall position has the same rest value as a 2 hour nap.
The goal: Rest is not a reward; it’s a necessity.
Final Contemplations
This isn’t about doing more. It’s about noticing what already makes you feel good, and doing it on purpose.
The holiday season will come (and so will the chaos). But the more grounded you are now, the more joy you’ll carry into it.
So pick one or two things from this list - and actually do them.
Because early November is the calm before the magic.
You deserve time to enjoy every peaceful minute of it.
Mindful Moment Questions:
What’s one thing from this list you could do this week to slow down before the holiday whirlwind begins?
How will it help you feel more grounded when it arrives?
Until next time, enjoy the journey!
Copyright Me Time 4 Mom, LLC
