Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: December 2025

Tis the season...

...to be stressed?

...to run ragged?

...to add worries to our already staggering pile of things to do?

Nope... but it can seem that way... and today's featured title reminds us to celebrate the coming together as much as the big day itself! So join me as I welcome The Children's Book Review as I host a stop on their AWARENESS TOUR that's perfectly for for the season, AND check out a special GUEST POST with a few tips that might just help you see the prep work on a whole new light! Oh! And did I mention the tour wide giveaway?! Yeah, so let's get reading!

12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas

Written by Tanya Harvey

Illustrated by Chelsea Peters

Ages: 4-6 | 24 Pages

Newtown Station Press (2024)

9781069140333

About the book...

Celebrate the joyful chaos of the holiday season! No pear trees here! This modern twist on a classic countdown reminds us that Christmas is not just about the Big Day, but how we cherish preparing for it together. From decorating the tree to last-minute shopping, each day presents a new challenge — and plenty of laughter — as the family works together to ensure everything is ready for their holiday celebration. This charming story captures the love and dedication that go into making the season special, reminding us how quickly it passes by — and how the journey is where the memories are made. Filled with delightful illustrations that bring heartwarming moments to life, The 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas is a whirlwind of festive fun, perfect for readers of all ages — especially Moms who make Christmas magical.

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GUEST POST

The Mom’s Guide to Actually Enjoying December (Not Just Surviving It)

By Tanya Harvey

If you’re a mom, December can feel less like a “festive season” and more like a holiday obstacle course with tinsel. The world keeps telling us it’s “the most magical time of the year,” but for many moms, it can feel like back-to-back performances where we’re responsible for creating magic, managing emotions, making memories, cooking meals, wrapping gifts, hosting happy relatives, entertaining overtired children… all while carrying the weight of everyone’s expectations.

It’s a lot.

In those early years of motherhood, I remember believing that if I just planned harder, organized more, and smiled bigger, I could finally “enjoy myself” — you know, once the kids were asleep and the house was sparkling. (Cue hollow laugh.)

One Christmas, I travelled with a newborn, a toddler, a slumber pod, sound machine, sleep sacks, backup sleep sacks, enough snacks to feed a Girl Guide troop, and a mental load that deserved its own carry-on luggage. I spent most of that visit trying to maintain order, keep sleep schedules, smile politely, and look “together” while a boogery toddler wiped their face on my only clean sweater. I was overstimulated, overtired, and over-responsible for everyone’s joy.

And somewhere between trying to get the “perfect holiday photos” and anxiously monitoring sugar intake… I realized my kids were having a blast. Messy hair, stained outfits, faces sticky with who-knows-what — they were living their best little holiday lives. I was the only one missing it.

The following year, I let go.

I embraced the sticky, the messy, the imperfect, and the joy within the chaos. And guess what? It was so much better.

So this year, if you want December to feel less like a survival mission and more like something you actually get to enjoy, here are some gentle, real-mom strategies to help you take the pressure off and let the joy back in.

1. You Don’t Need More Traditions — You Already Have Them

Moms often feel pressured to add more: more activities, more crafts, more outings, more “magic.” But hear this with love:

You don’t need to create new traditions. You just need to notice the ones already happening.

A tradition is anything that repeats and feels special to your family — even if it lasts 2 minutes.

For us, one of our most cherished family traditions is the wrapping paper sword fight. After the gifts are unwrapped, we save the cardboard tubes and ambush the kids when they least expect it. It’s chaotic, loud, and lasts a hot minute — but it wouldn’t be “getting ready for Christmas” without it. For years I brushed it off as nothing. Now I see: that IS the magic.

Ask yourself:

What do your kids talk about afterward?

What do they look forward to without you planning it?

Those are your traditions.

Instead of adding more, look at what you’re already doing and embrace the joy that’s already there.

2. Manage Expectations Before the Merry Mayhem Begins

If December stress had a root cause, this is it: unspoken expectations.

Kids assume everything will happen. Parents assume we must deliver it all. Extended family assumes traditions will stay the same. And moms? We quietly carry the emotional labour of making it all magical.

This year, try this simple reset:

“What’s the one thing you’re most looking forward to this Christmas?”

Ask each family member this — then share yours.

(Mine is baking with my mom. We skipped it last year and I won’t skip it again.)

When everyone knows what matters most, they can all help make those moments special. Then the joy doesn’t fall on Mom’s shoulders alone.

You may be surprised by their answers.

This year, my oldest said “gingerbread houses” — and I nearly choked because I had built it up as a whole thing in my mind… and then realized she had done it with her grandparents. It didn’t need to be my magic to be meaningful. Kids make memories with other family members too — and that’s a gift. It was also an easy checkmark!

3. Moms Deserve Traditions Too

Somewhere along the motherhood way, we started believing December was about manufacturing memories for our children — not actually participating in them ourselves.

Not this year.

You get one holiday ritual that is just for you. Not for photos. Not for Instagram. Not to “make it magical for the kids.”

For YOU.

Mine?

Besides buying myself something nice while I’m shopping (that’s a given), it’s my outdoor holiday urns.

It’s a ritual for me. I pour a big glass of wine, crank the Christmas tunes, and assemble them in the garage. No one interrupts me. No one “helps.” It’s my creative time. And every time I pull into the driveway, I get a spark of joy — because I made something for me.

Maybe for you it’s:

A festive latte alone in your car before grocery shopping (ahhh, the peaceful parking lot)

Buying yourself something while Christmas shopping (wrap it or wear it the next day — both count)

Watching your favourite Christmas movie (without sharing the blanket or snacks)

A holiday bath after bedtime with candy cane chocolate and zero guilt

If the kids get memories, Mom gets joy too.

4. Let Go of the “Perfect Holiday” Pressure (Even When It’s Hard)

Pinterest, Instagram, and nostalgic Hallmark memories can trick us into believing there’s one “right” way to do December.

But real magic doesn’t come from themed napkins or monogrammed stockings — unless those things truly bring you joy.

Let go of at least one thing this year.

Some ideas moms have released (with zero regret):

Christmas cards (you can revive them another year)

Elaborate holiday teacher gifts (a sincere note + gift card works wonders)

Perfectly curated wrapping aesthetics

Homemade everything

And here’s my personal proof that imperfect Decembers still become core memories:

Last year, I made a jeweled maple-glazed ham. The crackling needed a few more minutes to crisp up — so I served the ham and popped the skin back in. We… forgot about it. Hours later: smoke. I hid the dish in the BBQ to cool. And… forgot about it again until spring. We soaked that dish for months. It did not survive.

Was dinner ruined? No.

Did the kids care? Absolutely not.

Did we laugh about it for an entire year? You bet.

Perfection isn’t where the memories live.

The memories live in the stories we laugh about later.

5. Give Yourself Permission to Relax on the “Rules”

Holiday gatherings with cousins and grandparents?

No one needs food monitoring, sugar policing, or hydration charts.

I have zero clue what my kids eat at family events — and honestly, it’s freeing. If they’ve eaten seven shortbread cookies and one carrot stick? Great.

Cousin-time is precious.

It’s free-range parenting season, and it’s temporary.

Also: stale marshmallows in hot chocolate taste better. I don’t know why — they just do.

In our house, after tobogganing or playing in the snow, there is always hot chocolate with sprinkles and… yes… stale marshmallows. It’s expected. Therefore: it’s a tradition.

Enjoy the Season You’re In

Some years are full and social.

Some are quiet and tender.

Some are messy and sticky and loud.

Not every December will look the same — and that’s okay.

You don’t have to make every year magical.

You just have to be present enough to notice it when it is magical.

And if you want a sweet way to make the “getting ready” part feel extra fun with your kids, 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas is a lovely, low-pressure way to do just that.

Before You Go… Tell Me This:

What’s one thing you’re letting go of this year — and what’s one small thing you’re looking forward to?

Drop your answers in the comments so other moms can exhale with you.

We’re in this together. 💛

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Finding the courage to create:

Tanya Harvey has always loved art, storytelling, and creativity — but for years she pushed those dreams aside. A traditional career, a busy life, a comfortable path… until one day she realized it was now or never. She didn’t want her ideas, her stories, or her love for creating to be left behind.

All in on herself:

With the support of her family, Tanya followed her heart and became a children’s author and entrepreneur. She’s still a student in this role — learning, adapting, and exploring new things like animation and sound production. The best part? She has discovered how much fun it is to be fully herself.

Tanya creates because she can’t not. She loves solving problems, cracking the code, and bending the rules when the status quo is just that. Each story begins as a need — a better potty book, or a way to capture the magic of Christmas. She follows the sparks of joy, and that’s where the magic happens. Sometimes those sparks help others find connection, too.

For more information, visit tanyaharvey.ca.

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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Accomplished Canadian illustrator and graphic designer with over a decade of experience, Chelsea Peters, has been honing her craft since childhood. Her distinctive style, characterized by her playful use of linework and watercolour, has captured the attention of notable clients such as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, The Globe & Mail, and Canadian Geographic. She brought her unique touch to children’s literature with the publication of two illustrated children’s books, Poppy & Pa, written by Kristyn Jewell & 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas. Chelsea’s passion for combining traditional media with digital techniques gives her work a fresh, whimsical look bringing her clients’ ideas to life.

In 2013, Chelsea graduated with high honours from Sheridan College with a Bachelor’s of Illustration Degree, while winning the prestigious Silver Medalist’s Award for highest overall grade point average in her program. She also earned an Art Fundamentals Certificate with high honours in 2008.

When she’s not creating, Chelsea can be found spending time with her family and rescue dog, indulging in a tea latte, soaking up nature, or getting lost in a good book. Her creativity and passion for her craft are matched only by her love for the simple pleasures in life.

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GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a festive prize package that includes a copy of 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas, a $100 gift card to your favorite bookstore, and a charming star treehopper to add some holiday sparkle to your home.

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for sharing a bit of themselves with the guest post. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Tanya Harvey. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, November 3, 2025

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

@PagesforPaige

Instagram Post about 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas

Friday, November 7, 2025

Deliciously Savvy

Book Review of 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas

Monday, November 10, 2025

The Starlit Path