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

by Beth Kempton

A delightful guide to a stress-free holiday season filled with mindfulness, joy, self-care, and festive magic.

What if the month of December were soothing instead of stressful? Now you can celebrate a new kind of holiday season—one where you radiate calm and cultivate delight. Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year leads you out of the darkness of winter and back to the enchantment of an authentic and attainable Christmas season filled with merry gatherings, thoughtful gift-giving, and meaningful observations of annual traditions.

Covering the time period from late November to early January, this joyful guide embraces all the festive holiday build-up and then welcomes the new year in a holistic, nurturing way. Author Beth Kempton gently encourages you to prioritize your holiday hopes and take a slower, more mindful approach to your celebrations. Kempton also offers helpful suggestions for making the most of winter, and recommends using this quiet time to dream new dreams, set goals, and aspire toward a beautiful year ahead.

Filled with personal stories, tips, and advice for staying calm and connecting with others, Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year provides a cozy retreat from the pressure of striving for perfection. Instead of starting the New Year exhausted, in debt, and filled with regret, you will rejoice in the memories of the season feeling rested, rejuvenated, inspired, and calm.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Self Help, Holiday, Audiobook, Adult, Inspirational

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 20, 2020

About the author

日々是好日 - Every day is a good day (Zen proverb)

Beth Kempton is a Japanologist and a bestselling self-help author and writer mentor, whose books have been translated into 24 languages, who loves uncovering life lessons and philosophical ideas buried in Japanese culture, words and ritual.

Beth has two degrees in Japanese and has spent many years living and working in Japan, which she considers her second home. Over the years she has studied Japanese papermaking, flower arranging, pottery, noren-making, calligraphy, the tea ceremony, and weaving. Collectively these experiences have led to a deep love of the country and a rare understanding of Japanese cultural and linguistic nuances. She has been inhaling the magic and mystery of Japan - and been influenced by its philosophy and aesthetics - for over two decades.

A qualified yoga teacher and Reiki Master trained in Tokyo, she also has an incurable addiction to chocolate and Japanese stationery. Beth lives a slow-ish life near the sea in Devon, England, and is currently working on her fifth book, ‘Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well-lived’, a follow up her earlier bestseller ‘Wabi Sabi’

Beth is the mother of two small girls who fill her with joy every single day.

https://bethkempton.com
https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com
IG @bethkempton
Facebook/Twitter @dowhatyoulovexx

Reviews

[Lauren Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t normally write a review but I would say I found this book just when I needed it ❤️ I lost my Christmas magic three years ago when my mother died .she made Christmas for me in the smallest , beautiful and most thoughtful ways . She did this for me and my three children . We lost her with no warning in October so xmas was a blur the following one - I didn’t engage - I faked it and the one after I had a six week old baby she would never meet . I had no father or siblings to visit me as I grew up just me and her and I felt even further from Xmas than ever . This year I was determined to bring the magic back without overspending ( my mum always hated the commercialism of Xmas and now I see that ) this book helped me reconnect with what Christmas is about for me . How to bring more of that into the Xmas month and how to slow down and calve time for myself . Thank you Beth kempton . I finished the book and started it again straight away and have bought three copies for friends ! This book is officially my Xmas bible and I will treasure it forever . Merry Christmas everyone ...whatever that means to you ❤️ and I hope my mum can see ...I finally get it ❤️

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has written a handy “keep calm and have a Zen Christmas” guide, more mindful than faithful. She teaches how to de-stress during a hectic season via self-awareness, rejuvenation and connection. This message could be applied to any stressful time, with tips on how to cultivate joy no matter the circumstances. I love the idea of quietly enjoying Christmas, then entering the New Year fully rested and at peace. Happy holidays!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 20 Oct 2020

Thanks to the author, Scribner and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#CalmChristmasAndAHappyNewYear #NetGalley

[Ellery Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful book to have on hand during the holiday season. With tips on how to make gift-giving less expensive and more meaningful, decorating and feeding people a holiday feast without breaking the bank or fainting from exhaustion, and decorating using natural items like greens and lots of lights (think candles and lanterns). I appreciated how the author recognized that the holidays are a lonely time for many. For others, it's a time of grief. Not only does she make recommendations for people in these situations, but she also talks about ways of turning the January Blues into a time of reflection, refreshing, and planning.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Думаю, найідеальніший час для прочитання цієї книжки був би листопад, тому всім хто хоче увійти в новий рік зі спокійнішою і легшою головою, раджу зберегти її і прочитати восени.

Це ідеальне швидке і легке чтиво, якщо ви хочете трохи спокійнішого грудня і менше стресів через безкінечні списки подарунків, меню, ту-ду листи і всього far from wonderful, яке несе з собою груднево-січневий святковий сезон.

Авторка поділила книжку на три частини, де розповідає і дає поради як підготуватися до святкового сезону, пережити його і зберегти спокій у період опісля свят, коли ми поглинаємо у ще доволі затяжну зиму, але вже без різдвяних вогників. Вона пропонує призупитися і насолодотися часом між Різдвом і новим роком, який називає the period of hush. Ще одна з ідей книги, яка мені особливо запам'яталася - mindful giftgiving, та й взагалі mindful підхід до свят, бо чи справді нам потрібно щогрудня купувати нову різдвяну постіль, числений декор, светр, чи піжаму?

Наступного святкового сезону обов'язково пробіжусь оком по книжці ще раз, особливо по питаннях і вправах, які Бет пропонує в кінці кожного розділу.

[Jade Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was definitely something different than what I expected it to be. Considering the title says "a little book of festive joy" I expected it to be joyful and celebratory of the holiday season. However, while there was minimal talk of traditions, it was very brief and then the rest of the book was more about combatting anxious situations created by the holiday season.

This is not me trying to discredit anyone who suffers anxiety during the holiday season, as I know it can be a difficult time of year for some, all I am saying is that this is not exactly what was advertised to me; Therefore, I was expecting something a little more cheerful.

Had I known this was more of a self-help book rather than a fun celebratory book going in, I might have liked it more, but honestly that just isn't what I am looking to read right now. Which is why it took me so long to read. If you are someone who suffers from anxiety during the holiday season or from seasonal depression (maybe, I personally don't have this myself, I am guessing that this could help) you might benefit from reading this, while it gives you some very average tips to combat it.

I wish this is something different than it was... I was left disappointed.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started this book I was anticipating a lovely Christmas and a relaxing entry into the new year after a terrible year. Little did I know that the night I started the book my life would change forever and it would be the worst Christmas of my entire life, my father suddenly and without warning rushed into the ICU for life-saving critical care. I chose to finish this book, even though we did not end up celebrating Christmas and will not until he comes home month(s) from now. But, he will come home. He is beating the odds. It was not a calm Christmas, but I refuse to lose hope for a better new year.

The book has useful tips for focusing more on the people you love during the holidays and less on consumption or living up to social standards. I don’t know if all of the gift-giving tips are practical, but the parts on giving yourself a break and being more chill during New Years jive with my typical feelings about the holiday and end of the year.

[John’aLee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book to have read through this 2022 Christmas season!! It’s one of those books to pull out every Christmas to keep one’s mind calm and to remember to enjoy the season. I love how it goes into reviewing the past year, as well as looking forward to the New Year…. And gives questions to ask yourself. Great for journalists like myself!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely book!!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update 12/19/25:
I love this little book! It was nice to return to it for the third time, and I think I’ll make it an annual reread. My favorite part of the book is the final third, which is all about savoring the quiet period between Christmas and New Year’s. There are some great reflection prompts I plan to return to in a few weeks.

*******************

Update 12/2/23:
This is such a lovely book. I enjoyed rereading it as a way to center myself before holiday travel and beautiful chaos ensue. This time around, several things stood out that I’m carrying with me into the season:

-The five stories of Christmas and noticing which ones resonate most, then considering how to incorporate those ideas into my own celebrations
-Radical winter wellness
-Setting an overall intention for Christmas
-The snow globe practice
-Honoring the heightened feelings of sadness and loss that can also come up this time of year
-Matching our own rhythm with the rhythm of nature
-Using the time between Christmas and New Years to savor the “hush”
-Reflecting mindfully and giving ourselves the gift of a gentle January instead of giving in to the pressure to make radical declarations and changes

So much inspiration, wisdom, and comfort packed into a little book.

*******************

Such a fun and comforting book! I am going to read it again after Thanksgiving and work through the various prompts in earnest.

Update 1/4/23: after a quick read through in November, I returned to each section of this book throughout Christmas and New Years. While I didn’t do every single activity or reflection, I did a lot of them, and found immense value in the mix of action items, reflection questions, and inspiring ideas. I particularly love the third part of the book which is dedicated to making the most of the “hush” between Christmas and January 1. If you are drawn to the idea of making the holidays more meaningful, reconnecting to what truly matters vs getting distracted by everything else vying for our attention and money, I highly recommend this book. I’ll be returning to it each year to make use of the wonderful reflection tools and activities.

[Ely Gocce di Rugiada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purtroppo sabato scorso è mancato il mio adorato papà, dopo un' odissea di tre settimane causa un tumore fulminante.Questo saggio iniziato a leggere in tempi non sospetti, mi sta aiutando a sopravvivere all'avvicinarsi delle feste.E' un libro motivazionale per impostare l' anno venturo e i cambiamenti della vita.
Regalatelo a chi ha avuto un lutto in senso lato.E' un aiuto ad andare avanti.
Lo stra consiglio.

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilde deze eigenlijk nog in 2020 afstrepen maar dat lukte net niet 😋 Fijn boekje, als je geïnteresseerd bent in slow living dan is dit zeker een aanrader.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book to read at this time of year. Helped to put me in a slower state of mind in the Christmas season that can be so busy and crazy. Love the sections on pre-Christmas, during Christmas, and also gearing up for the new year with questions, reflections and prompts. I’m absolutely obsessed with her podcast Calm Christmas right now.

[Beth Kempton]

CALM CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR: A LITTLE BOOK OF FESTIVE JOY

I have loved Christmas ever since I was a little girl. My eldest daughter was born on Christmas Day, and it has always been a magical time for me. But in recent years I have felt the growing pressure to have the ‘perfect Christmas’, spending beyond our means, and exhausting ourselves to keep up with our assumptions about what Christmas ‘should’ be like. I am also increasingly uncomfortable with the extreme levels of waste generated by this annual festival,and the impact of constant comparison that arises from scrolling through other people’s Instagram feeds of their perfect holiday season. I am also all too aware of the difficult feelings that arise at this dark time of year for so many –loneliness, sadness and grief seem to hang more heavily when Christmas comes around.

As I tried to figure out what kind of Christmas I wanted my daughters to grow up remembering, I realized I needed to rethink what Christmas is and could be. In doing so, and researching others’ experiences of this famous festival, I came to understand that while Christmas means something different to everyone, there are five common stories of Christmas which we all connect with in some way. Understanding which of these are most important to us, and to those we love and/or will share the festivities with, can completely transform our experience of Christmas.Those five stories are shared in this book, as a tool for you to redesign Christmas–and your life–based on what really matters to you.

Although at first glance Calm Christmas seems a far cry from my other books, there is actually a common thread. All my books are about living well and making the most of this precious life. Christmas is a significant source of stress in many people’s lives, which can have a huge impact on our wellbeing and our wallets. Calm Christmas offers inspiration for a new kind of holiday season –one where you radiate calm and cultivate delight.

I wrote much of this book by a crackling winter fire. In reading it, I invite you to escape the frantic energy of the high street and come sit a while beside me, pausing to explore what a more mindful festive season could mean for you.

I was so thrilled when Scribner (Simon & Schuster) bought the rights to Calm Christmas for publication in the US the year after it came out in the UK, not least because they are based in The Rockefeller Centre, home to that iconic Christmas tree and ice rinkI have dreamt of since seeing it in Home Alone! In the midst of the pandemic Christmas 2020 was unlike any Christmas we have known. Although the majority of the content is the same as the UK version, the US version was tweaked to reflect the weight of the experience of the pandemic, and has a lovely alternative cover.



This is a book about Christmas. But it's also a book about belonging, connection, self-care, joy and ordinary magic.

Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year offers inspiration for a new kind of holiday season - one where you radiate calm and cultivate delight. Spanning late November to early January, Calm Christmas embraces the festive build-up, the celebrations and the turn of the year in a holistic, nurturing way. Beth Kempton will whisk you away from the frenetic energy of the high street and invite you to come sit awhile by the fire, pausing to explore what a more mindful festive season could mean for you.

Full of personal stories, tips and advice for slowing down, staying calm and connecting with others, it offers a welcome retreat from the pressure to create 'the perfect Christmas'.

At its heart Calm Christmas is about a book about wellbeing in winter, which will encourage you to use this time of natural hibernation to germinate new dreams and nurture a beautiful life in the year ahead. Instead of entering January exhausted, further in debt, and already regretting broken resolutions, you will begin the New Year with precious memories, feeling rested, rejuvenated and inspired.

This atmospheric book will lead you through the darkness of winter, back to the enchantment of an authentic and meaningful Christmas and New Year.

Find out more about Calm Christmas here

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a great self-care read! Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton encourages the reader to take a step back and examine how they approach the Christmas season. Subsequently, the reader can adjust their approach to the holidays and reduce the amount of stress they experience while truly relishing in the calm and joyous moments. This book focuses on the lead up to the holidays, Christmas celebrations, and then preparing for the New Year.

As someone who absolutely loves Christmas but also finds the holiday season more and more stressful each year, it felt like this book was written for me. This book really made me reflect on why the Christmas season is important to me and what aspects I value. I now have a clearer picture of how I want to approach the holidays in way that focuses on the simple and meaningful joys while letting go of unnecessary obligations and stressors.

I really appreciated that the author acknowledges that this time of year is often stressful and many people experience grief. It was refreshing for it to be normalized that everyone experiences Christmas differently and that there isn’t one correct way to approach the holiday. The tone of the writing was always inviting and warm. I was also happy to see that Kempton referenced studies and statistics to back up her claims throughout the book.

This is a book that I’ll be revisiting every year before the holiday season to recenter myself and reflect on what I value most throughout the holidays. I can honestly say this book will help me to have a Christmas that is more calm than years past. If you often feel overwhelmed by Christmas and are wanting to enjoy it more, I highly recommend reading this book!

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for those that want a fresh start and new approach to the holiday season. While this book does require a little work, as there are questions to reflect on, there's a lot of great information that helps you explore the why behind your holiday celebrations. I really enjoyed the way this book asked me to take time to reflect on past holidays before looking into how to change my approach to the next season.

I recommend this book to everyone that will be experiencing a different holiday season, perhaps this year, and anyone that would like to look forward to the holiday's season of cheer rather than stress.

An ARC copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most magical book I've ever held in my hands. Beth's writing immediately brought me back to my childhood memories about Christmas and inspired me to come back to the simplicity of this holiday. Every night when I open the book, I feel a sense of calm and excitement for the holiday ahead. I'm learning so much about the history of Christmas also that I didn't even know about. All of Beth's books inspire me to live more simply and joyfully. MUST READ before Christmas!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing earth shattering but a great reminder to so what you love. I've never really thought about which aspect of Christmas is most important to me. I now know it's the "Magic" of the season and funny thing, I am now more aware of what gives me true pleasure and why. Not everything in this book is a magical nugget, but there are enough gentle reminders that this works for me!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed re-listening in early December. Love the reflections on the five stories of Christmas, and how this book makes me look for ways to simplify and connect to what really matters to me this time of year. I love the reflections/guidance for “the hush” between Christmas and New Year’s.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick, cozy read about how to make the Christmas holiday season less stressful and more enjoyable. It's divided into three sections - Before Christmas, During Christmas, and After Christmas. Each chapter within each section focuses on some specific aspects of that season. Each chapter also has lots of questions to contemplate or journal about in order to work out what is most important to you and your family and how best to enjoy the holiday season. To me there wasn't anything ground-breaking in here, but it was a good reminder that we can manage the holidays instead of being controlled by the holidays or family members/traditions/etc. In the first section of the book about planning for Christmas I liked this question Kempton poses: "Given the kind of year you have had, what kind of Christmas would be most nourishing and appropriate? A loud, celebratory one? A quiet, restful one? A magical, surprise-filled one? A traditional one? An alternative one? A cozy one? A sunny one? Or something else?" (p. 67) I think that is definitely something most people don't think about. If it's been a hard year what would make the holidays better? Instead of just doing whatever your family traditionally does, think about what you NEED the holidays to be instead of just doing what you always do. Overall, if you're struggling to reign in Christmas or enjoy it more this would be a good book to check out.

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

My anchor feeling for this holiday season is calm and this book delivers on its promise of a calm, meaningful, joyful Christmas. Each section invites readers to consider what Christmas means to them, how we can bring the spirit of the season to our everyday activities and what matters most to each of us. It’s perfect to read a little bit each day or devour all at once. Either way, have a notebook close by because you’ll be inspired to write. And even though it’s not Christmas yet, I’m heading into the new year with the most meaningful intentions and resolutions. This. Book. Delivers.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read. You can use it as a self-help text to focus your Christmas celebration on the aspects of the holiday that are most meaningful to you. It can also help you better understand your loved ones' feelings surrounding the holiday. You can dip into the book to refresh yourself as you move through the holiday season.

[Amanda Zhang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a calm book. I listened, and felt peaceful while doing so. If the holiday season makes you feel frantic or overwhelmed, this is a good read. I probably would have got more out of it if I had done the worksheets the author talks about in the book, but I didn't download them.

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little book that has helped me frame the Christmas season in a big way. Highly recommend reading this book for anyone that celebrates the season in some capacity. The way we celebrate the season changes each year as life changes and it can be really challenging, overwhelming, joyful and sometimes sad.

Beth gives great perspective and tips on how to do a quick evaluation of your season and tailer what and how you do things year to year. Finding out what matters most and making the most of Christmas each year. To be able to savor and enjoy it in whatever way means the most to each person.

I also loved that she addresses the week in between Christmas and New Years in regards to ways to spend it to rest and recharge.

[Aoife Lennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely comforting book. I will reference it for my future Christmas times.

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh goodness, I loved this book. I love the podcast even more. I've listened to every episode of every season at least twice. It's wonderful!

[Emily Loomis Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have listened to (and loved) Beth Kempton’s “Calm Christmas Podcast” for years and this book is just as warm, cozy, and delightful. Just like the podcast, it’s far more a meditative, journaling guide than it is a book about Christmas. Beth Kempton beautifully addresses the harder things like loss, loneliness, and unmet expectations. I intend to buy it and spend each year journaling her many writing prompts.

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book when I was looking for something. I don't know if I can fully put into words what I was looking for, but something that was seasonal and heartwarming with ideas to really make this holiday special.

This is not a bad book, but it's not what I was looking for. I think I wanted something that gave me a lot of fresh ideas for bringing the wonder back to the Christmas season. This has a little of that, but nowhere near enough for me. Instead, it beats the anti-shopping message to death. I was definitely not looking for a book that told me what not to do, but this book spent a lot of words and pages doing just that. There was also a lot of attention paid to the extended family giving and visiting, none of which applies to me.

I did like the first chapter that gives readers a barometer for the elements you like best in the holidays - wonder, faith, magic, etc. I also liked the reflection questions for New Year's, although that wasn't what I was looking for in this particular book.

This is the right book for some folks, just not what I was looking for.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of this book was more enjoyable and calming to read. The second half was more mindfulness/goal reaching self-help which I did not enjoy. Throughout, the book was not relatable; The author comes across as someone with plenty of money and a large house, going into much advice about how to host or make houseguests feel comfortable while spending the holidays in your home. For readers in London, NYC or other such populous areas (who aren’t the 1%), this notion is almost comical - to have space for guests, perfect decor, and quiet areas around the house to let people relax. As if! It had me rolling my eyes throughout. It’s a daydream for most, not reality. Additionally, this kind of book could have been improved with some holiday recipe or the like.

[Serena Jane Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read, for making you ponder and think more about this sacred season. I discovered it on a social media post and so pleased I ordered it. The book was thought provoking at the same time as giving you that festive buzz and excitement. I loved doing the graphs to capture and work out what aspects of Christmas were important to me, as well as getting my husband and mother to do it. After discovering this gem, I learnt the author was doing a book signing near to me. It was a joy to meet such an inspiring and passionate author. Really can’t wait to read her other books now.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

2023 A re-read.

Beautiful little book. Really enjoyed this book I had already implemented a few of the things from this book into my Christmas previously. I loved the 5 stories of Christmas and seeing which was strongest for me. Now I will concentrate on that aspect and not worry about the others. I plan revisiting the book in during "the hush" to work through my previous year and plan the coming year.

If you are someone who finds Christmas overwhelming I highly recommend you give this book a read.