10 Goals for December to Finish the Year Strong

Setting goals for December can be both exciting and overwhelming. As the year comes to a close, it’s easy to feel like we have to quickly do it all before the new year. We want to start the new year on a refreshed and solid foot, right?

Luckily, December goals don’t have to be as intense as you might make them out to be. Setting proper goals for December can actually be FUN.

These goals for December are a perfect mix of productive and relaxing, making them perfect for the holiday season. After all, December is one of the most magical and celebratory times of the year for many… you should enjoy it!

10 Monthly Goals for December

There are intentionally only 10 goals here. Feel free to add or take away goals as you please.

This is all about customizing to your own life and your own goals!

1. Get Holiday Shopping Done Early

When setting this goal for myself, I will make a specific goal date to complete my holiday shopping (the 10th!). But since this is meant to be customizable, I left it open for you to decide! That said, I do highly recommend setting a specific time for this goal… SMART goals are the best and they require specificity.

This goal is a big one for me (hence why it’s so early on the list).

To me, holiday shopping is fun… but also really stressful. I often struggle with gift ideas and feel the pressure of time ticking down. Over the last few years, I have started buying holiday gifts EARLY (like in the summer) so I feel way less stressed in December.

{RELATED POST: 20 Gifts for the Organization Lover}

By setting this timeline for myself, I allow myself to really enjoy December more and be present in the weeks leading up to the holiday. This gives me more time to partake in fun activities without the stress in the back of my mind!

2. Make a December Budget

Going along with the discussion of gift-buying, it can be SUPER helpful to have a budget set and planned out for the month of December.

That said, it’s not just gifts that drain the bank. Winter activities, coffees, holiday food, etc. All of it is amazing… but can get pretty costly.

{REALTED POST: 12 Simple Everyday Money-Saving Swaps}

Having a budget laid out at the start of the month helps you feel in control of your finances and allows you to enjoy December without the money struggle.

Buy or download a budget planner and figure this out at the start of December. You’ll thank yourself later.

3. Workout X Times Each Week

I really debated putting this one in… hear me out.

I fully believe that the holidays (or any time of the year, really) are a time to be 100% present in the moment, enjoying good food, and great company. If working out interferes with that, then skip the workout. Life is too short.

I spend too many years missing out on memories to get in a workout. If I could go back, I would do it all differently.

That said, consider making some kind of movement one of your goals for December. Even if it is just taking a 5 or 10-minute walk every day… Moving your body is a positive thing in moderation!

Also, with all the festive and delicious holiday food, it’s easy to start to FEEL a bit sluggish over the month of December. Moving can help combat that by giving you. a little energy boost!

4. Have One Phone-Free Day Every Week

This is one of my goals for December for a couple of reasons…

Moving into the new year, I want to start developing some better habits with my screen time. I want to spend less time on social media and more time out living my life. By making this one of my December goals, I am getting a jump start on that.

Additionally, I want to be really present during the holidays. For example, when I sit down to watch a holiday movie, I want to take time to enjoy the movie. Or when I am doing some holiday baking with my sister, I want to be present and enjoy the festivities.

Phones can distract us from what really matters. In making this one of my goals for December, I am hoping to minimize the time lost to a screen.

5. Try 5 New Recipes

Again, this number can be adjusted to whatever goal you want to set for yourself. Personally, I want to make 5 NEW recipes.

December is such a great month for FOOD. I am a huge foodie and love to test out new recipes… and December feels like the perfect time to do so.

These recipes can be a mix of baked goods, breakfasts, dinners, snacks, etc. Get creative here! Mix up new flavors in your kitchen and enjoy every bite! (… And then send me the recipe when you’re done )

Yum!

6. Make a List of Favorite Holiday Movies

This is actually one of my favorites on my list of goals for December this year.

Do you ever sit down super excited to watch a movie only to find out that it’s one you’ve seen before… and don’t really like? It’s so sad!

OR…

Do you ever REALLY want to watch a specific holiday movie and you just can’t remember the name of it? (I swear all the good Hallmark movies are titled the same thing.) So frustrating!

I made a list of all my favorite Hallmark holiday movies last year. This year I want to add to it, update it, and organize it. I envision a master list of all my favorite holiday movies. Hopefully, with that, I can always know just what December movie I want to watch.

7. Schedule Time Off

It might seem odd to have to actively schedule downtime… but do it! On your calendar, in your planner, wherever it may be, schedule time off from work and all things productivity.

There is nothing quite like some December downtime.

With so many fun, festive, and unique activities during this time of year, making time off one of your goals for December is a great option.

As someone who sometimes struggles to step away from work and productivity, actively setting a goal for rest helps with this. That way, I feel like I am still accomplishing something (my rest goal) by doing nothing (resting). Smart, right?

You deserve to spend some time enjoying the month of December and the holiday season. Ensure that you allow yourself to do that by setting this December goal!

8. Read a Book/Watch a TV Series

Speaking of taking time off, December is an amazing time to binge-watch a TV show or race through that book you’ve been wanting to read.

READ: My Reading Recap Posts

There is something about the cozy vibes in December that make it feel like the perfect time to hunker in and lose yourself in a good book or show.

For my own personal goal for December, I am wanting to make some progress on One Tree Hill. I am SO late to the party but I just started it about a month ago on Hulu and am OBSESSED. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to my (scheduled) downtime in the month of December to watch it like crazy!

9. Meet Up With 2+ Friends

During the month of December, I am always reminded of the great connections and relationships around me. I feel incredibly grateful for all these relationships, yet I am not the best at fostering them.

As an introvert with social anxiety, I tend to avoid social gatherings. Even just meeting a friend for coffee can seem like a lot to me. If you are similar, I totally feel you.

But I also know that I feel so much better after seeing friends and family.

Because of that, I’m making it my goal for December to see AT LEAST 2 friends. This means a real, arranged social gathering: lunch, coffee, shopping, etc.

{RELATED POST: 100 Fun Things to Do in December}

The holiday season is a perfect time to spend with loved ones. It’s my hope that this goal will push me towards that!

10. Enjoy the Month

Saving the most important December goal for last… to ENJOY THE MONTH!

Goals can be fun and all, but if you are not enjoying your life then what’s the point?

Finding a good balance between goals, productivity, work and fun, relationships, and enjoyment is crucial for a happy life. For too long, I focused only on goals. My days were all filled with trying to be the best, most productive, and most successful version of myself. While that can be great to an extent, I was missing out on small simple joys that come with resting and just being present in the moment.

With December likely comes memories and moments with friends and family. Allow yourself the grace to take a step back from your usual routine and ENJOY the month.

That is the #1 goal for me this December.

What’re YOUR Goals for December?

Do your December goals look different than mine? Did my goals for December offer you any inspiration? I’d love to know what goals you’re focusing on this December!