Inspired by Cleo Eulau | December 18, 2025

Reshape the Holidays to Support Your Well-Being

The holiday season is often a time that comes with a long list of traditions - ones we cherish, ones we have simply inherited, and others that no longer resonate with who we are. While traditions can offer comfort and connection, they can also create pressure, negative feelings, or a sense of obligation that diminishes joy. Research conducted by the American Psychiatric Association found that 41% of American adults reported an increase in stress during the holidays (Wilde, 2023).This year, consider giving yourself permission to redefine the holiday season in ways that support your mental and emotional well-being.

Decide What Truly Matters to You
Before the flurry of invitations, countdowns, and shopping lists take over, take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you when it comes to the holidays. Ask yourself these three questions:

1. Which traditions energize me?

2. Which traditions drain me?

3. What feelings do I want more of this season? Peace? Connection? Rest? Fun?

Be honest with yourself so you can start being more intentional about how you spend your time and energy this December.

Let Go of Traditions That No Longer Serve You
Just because you have been doing something every year does not mean you have to keep doing it. If a tradition is exhausting, a financial burden or makes you unhappy, it may be time to let it go. Examples of letting go of traditions can include:

Opting out of certain gatherings
Scaling back on gift-giving
Choosing more low-key holiday decor
Limiting how often you bake or cook for holiday events

Remember that letting go of certain traditions actually creates space for new traditions that better align with the person you are today.

Build New Traditions That Support Your Well-Being
After identifying what you value in traditions, you can create new ones that support those values. Your new traditions can be personal, family-oriented, or include good friends:

Going on winter nature walks
Having a weekly cozy “night in”
Keeping a gratitude journal through the holiday season
Focusing on experiences or DIY presents for gift exchanges
Volunteering or donating to causes you are passionate about

Set Healthy Boundaries

Some people may equate setting boundaries with creating conflict or distance from others, but boundaries are actually a great way to ensure the holidays are enjoyable for everyone. Setting, communicating and maintaining healthy boundaries can strengthen your relationships and lead to fewer misunderstandings (Martin, 2021) Examples of ways you can communicate boundaries include:

“I will be at the dinner, but I need to leave early.”
“I’m keeping gifts simple this year.”
“I would be happy to celebrate, but I need something low-key this year.”

References:

Martin, Sharon. (2021, December 16). Healthy Holiday Boundaries. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/conquering-codependency/202112/healthy-holiday-boundaries

Wilde, Sadie. (2023, November 10). Ask an Expert — Four Ways Gratitude Can Keep Your Holidays Happy. Retrieved from https://www.usu.edu/today/story/ask-an-expert--four-ways-gratitude-can-keep-your-holidays-happy

Honoring Loss, Nurturing Hope: How We Help Schools Heal

“This school year, one of my coworkers passed away in a sudden and tragic way, which has impacted our whole community, but especially those with whom we had a personal relationship outside of work. Coming to work was extremely challenging because it has been a daily reminder of that tragic loss, and we all grieve in different ways. Having a grief circle and a space where our feelings are validated and where we could see that we were not alone in this journey and that other people were also mourning her loss helped me acknowledge what I was feeling and not just suppress it like I tend to do.”

Grief support is a deeply human but often unseen component of Acknowledge Alliance’s work with educators and students. As we all come together in the spirit of generosity and giving, we're proud to highlight the meaningful work our resilience counselors are doing to help people find connection and healing after loss. Take a look at the full article here.

An 8th Grader's Story of Belonging - You Can Create the Next One

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"One particular day stands out in my memory, where the topic of discussion was Feelings, a subject that often feels daunting yet necessary. As we settled into our seats, our teacher gently encouraged us to express our emotions freely… One by one, we began to speak, sharing stories of joy, sadness, anger, and vulnerability. It felt safe; the circle created a sense of camaraderie, fostering an environment where no one would be judged for their feelings. By the end of the class, we had not only discussed feelings but had also created a bond that felt unbreakable. That day taught me the power of vulnerability and the importance of expressing and validating emotions. The Circle classroom experience was not just about sharing; it was about understanding each other on a deeper level, emphasizing that feelings, no matter how difficult, are a universal part of being human. It remains one of the most meaningful moments of my educational journey." - 8th Grade Project Resilience Student

This is what belonging looks like in a classroom.

Last year, Acknowledge Alliance supported over 1,500 students and educators in 27 K-8 schools across Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Our Resilience Consultants work directly on campuses to create inclusive environments where every person feels seen, heard, and valued. In a world increasingly marked by conflict, injustice, and social division, students and teachers are facing unprecedented challenges. Classrooms must become more than places of academic learning. They must also be spaces of trust, empathy, and healing. Your support makes that possible.

Through strengths-based coaching, support groups, social-emotional learning, counseling, and crisis intervention, we empower educators with tools to manage stress, nurture relationships, and guide students with compassion and confidence. Teachers consistently share how transformative this support is:

“Our Resilience Consultant helped me grow in so many ways. I really wanted to build each class as a community, and she… encouraged me to lean into ideas that resonated with who I am. I don’t think I would have been as successful as a teacher this year without her help and support.” - Educator, Partner School

When you give to Acknowledge Alliance, your generosity helps to:

Support the mental health and well-being of educators
Strengthen collaboration and trust within school teams
Guide young people through their emotional challenges with resilience and self-awareness

Empowered educators empower students. Donate today to strengthen the hearts behind our classrooms - help ensure that Acknowledge Alliance can continue cultivating thriving school communities. Thank you for building brighter futures with us, one classroom at a time.

Your donation, no matter the size, makes a direct and lasting impact on the lives of students and educators in our community. To see this impact firsthand, watch Principal Steve Hamm share how Saratoga's Redwood Middle School is partnering with Acknowledge Alliance to provide Social Emotional Learning on campus.

Principal Steve Hamm shares how Saratoga's Redwood Middle School is partnering
with Acknowledge Alliance to provide Social Emotional Learning on campus.

Donor Spotlight

We greatly appreciate the continued partnership and support from El Camino Healthcare District. Through their community grants program, the Resilience Consultation Program (RCP) is able to provide consultation and counseling services to schools in the Mountain View Whisman and Sunnyvale School districts. Thank you to El Camino for their commitment in supporting our community, especially those who are most vulnerable, in promoting health and disease prevention.

Cleo's Corner

Highlights & Tips Inspired by Our Founder, Cleo Eulau

As we enter this season of celebration and togetherness, we are filled with gratitude for you - our dedicated supporters. Your belief in the power of uplifting students and teachers inspires our work every day. When students and educators are supported to thrive, they help build school communities that are safe, caring, and full of possibility. From all of us at Acknowledge Alliance, we extend our warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with health and happiness.

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