The holidays are officially here! Today I’m sharing three ways to unwind during the busy holiday season. You also have a chance to win one of the things that keeps me calm: Old Factory Candles. This giveaway is perfect for this hectic time of year!
Holiday mayhem started this weekend in my house. I spent several hours getting the house ready for guests and the Thanksgiving dinner. I even set the fancy dining room table for the big dinner. I know that the more I get done ahead of time, the less stressed I will be on the actual holiday.
I have a confession though, I have done nothing to get ready for Christmas. Not. a. thing. I am usually all about Thanksgiving and then panic the day after when I realize the small number of days until Christmas. There should really be more time!
I know the holidays shouldn’t stress me out, but they do. So I’m making a plan now to manage that stress and hopefully have a more care-free holiday season.
3 Ways to Unwind This Holiday Season
1. Epson Salt and Lavender Baths
I swear by Epson Salt baths with several drops of lavender essential oils. I got in the habit of taking Epson salt baths during Chicago Marathon training and have never turned back. Buy lavender scented Epson salt or just add a few drops of lavender essential oil to really calm down after a long day of holiday cheer.
I'm planning on taking a nice long technology free bath once a week!
2. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is a favorite of mine year-round. At the holidays it feels especially festive and cheery. Peppermint tea is a natural stress reliever, natural decongestant and can calm your stomach. Bonus points: It’s a lot less calories than a peppermint mocha!
I'm going to brew a guilt-free mug every night.
3. Old Factory Candles
Candles are a tried and true way to unwind when you get home.
They make even the cluttered holiday house seem warm, friendly and inviting.
Old Factory Candles are a favorite of mine because they are a natural soy candle, hand poured, they are made in the USA and have self trimming cotton wicks.
All natural so you don’t have to STRESS out about what chemicals you are putting into your home environment.
The coolest thing about them is the really unique scents. Each package of candles comes with three smells in one box, that combine for a theme.
Some of these I have never seen before in a candle!
Fall Harvest -Pumpkin Spice, Cranberry, Autumn Leaves
Happy Holidays - Christmas Tree, Candy Cane, Gingerbread
Winter Wonderland -Hot Cocoa, Roasted Chestnut, First Snow
Romance - Rose Petals, Champagne, Dark Chocolate
Fresh & Clean – Lemongrass, Olive Blossom, Fresh Linen
Spa Day – Cucumber, Lemongrass, Green Tea
Vacation - Sea Breeze, Hawaiian Lei, Awapuhi
Coffee Shop - Coffee Bean, Hazelnut, Chai Tea
Man Cave - Straight Razor, Leather, Mahogany
New Born Baby - Baby Powder, Baby Shampoo, First Blanket
50 Shades – Leather, Vanilla Sex, Jasmine Bubbles
Since I am all about Hawaii and my anniversary is next week (I got married in Hawaii,) my favorite scent right now is the Vacation blend.
These scents take me back to my favorite vacation spot on the planet, and there is nothing more calming than that! I think Hawaii and I simply unwind.
I can’t wait to try the Romance, Fresh & Clean, Spa Day and Winter Wonderland! Actually, I’d like to try them all.
Old Factory Candles blend well with any decor (even holiday) and produce the most beautiful smell almost instantly. They burn for 20 plus hours. The candles are a small jar (2 ounces) size.
It may sound simple, but candles are such a great way to unwind during the holidays. I’m even thinking about giving some as gifts!
I'm going to burn these and the holiday scents each night through December!
Now for the giveaway!
You can win your own three pack of Old Factory Candles. If you win you can choose which theme you like most. Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below.
The giveaway is only open to the the continental US. It will close midnight December 3rd, 2014 and I will announce the winner on Running in a Skirt December 5th (my anniversary!!!)
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
toni mahaffey says
THINK I WOULD LIKE THE HAPPY HOLIDAYS OR WINTER WONDERLAND
lori reimer (@sassyrunnergurl) says
they have some amazing scents
Carolsue says
I would like the Coffee Shop
Tina H says
I think the Happy Holidays would be great! I have to use an artificial tree due to allergies and asthma so I would like to at least have a "tree" scent around the house.
KathleenS says
I love the smells of cinnamon, pepperment,, and spices, this tikme of the year. also spring flowers
Penny Briggs says
I love the Fall Harvest scents. Thank you for being so upbeat on your posts, I look forward to reading them!
natalie yeoman says
i would like the happy holidays scent
sharon says
i think i would like the spa set
MaryLu Ringwood says
I love outdoor scents like fresh cut grass or fresh flowers.
Lisa says
I think I would like the Fresh and Clean scent. However, all of them sound wonderful.
Lisa says
I unwind by cooking. I love to be the hostess for Thanksgiving. The best part is that I get to smell all those wonderful smells all day even before the guests arrive. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Paulette B says
I love the fall and Christmas candles
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
I want Happy Holidays for sure! I love peppermint for candles. So relaxing!
Jenn says
I enjoy sitting outside drinking hot cocoa. I would enjoy any of the scents but hit cocoa is probably my favorite!!
Jaime says
Reading helps me unwind...if I'll just take the time. And I have candles all over the house. Would love to try their Winter Wonderland combination!
Lori Hawkins says
Run run run is how I relax.
Cinnamon or banana bread scents.
Lori Brown says
I'd like to try the Happy Holidays set.
Marilyn says
Winter wonderland!
Shannon says
I would love to try the Happy Holidays one.
Cindy says
I would love either the Fall Harvest, Happy Holidays or
Winter Wonderland. I am definitely a fall/winter person!
ashley says
first snow! these look great!
Madeline St Onge says
I would love the winter wonderland, sound yummy
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I'd love any of the ones that are holiday related, but on a weird note the man cave sounds completely up my alley too. Yes, I love the smell of leather. A candle is cheaper than a Celine bag right?
JulieWunder says
Yes it is! haha!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
There is an ingredient called Vanilla Sex. NEED THAT.
You will have an amazing Thanksgiving. There is no other option!
JulieWunder says
I think that is pretty funny.... 🙂
Colan says
I think I would like Winter wonderland, or vacation. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
Love all the candles!!!
Blane Sherer says
It's very helpful to be focused and on point when needed but also to have quiet relaxing downtime too because that is also needed.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Always love a good epsom salt bath!
JulieWunder says
It is my go-to stress relief.
Mary says
I love candles and would love to try the Vacation selection. I really enjoy your blog and hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving.
sheila austin says
Happy Thanksgiving! I love to burn candles...I think Fall Harvest would be my favorite.
Rose W says
Harvest collection would be my choice...great give away
Laurel C says
Fall Harvest sounds amazing!! I think I would love the scents of Pumpkin Spice, Cranberry, and Autumn Leaves 🙂
Paula Brewer says
I think Coffee Shop would be my choice....I need all the pick me up you can get! The year has gone by so fast and these holidays so close together make it go by even more so.
Vicki says
(Oops...I forgot to say that I'd love to try the Spa Day scent collection!)
Vicki says
Happy Thanksgiving! These candles sound awesome (and my hubby thinks I spend too much on candles...hee hee)!
millie says
i walk, today is my birthday so i will do nothing, i love your
posts and recipes, have a great day
Paula says
Absolutely LOVE these candles! Happy Thanksgiving Julie!
Cheryl says
Listen to music and sing along!
debbie says
I would love the fall harvest selection. Thank you for all of your posts, so informative and interesting. I will definitely try the Epsom salt and lavender oil bath.
Deanna says
Ohmygoodness! Those candles all sound marvelous! I think Happy Holidays would be just the thing for the season!
wendy says
I love all natural candles! But, I have not heard of "Old Factory". Thanks for sharing!
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
Yes! It's so important to unwind during the holidays. I want these candles; they look absolutely scrumptious.
Lynn says
Oh, I think the coffee blend scent would be nice!
Lynn says
I read the Bible... It really does work!! Then I pray... Face the day with a positive attitude.. 🙂
TJ says
I Like your attitude!:)
Jenny says
You've got this, Julie! All of your planning will help Thursday go off without a hitch, I'm certain! 😉 Wacky as it sounds, cooking for my family de-stresses me. I'm so grateful to have such amazing people in my life and being able to do something for them is restorative and such a blessing. Now, there is sure to be Christmas music playing (too loudly) and a festive candle burning while I'm cooking, too... AND I think I need the Fall Harvest and Happy Holidays scents from Old Factory. NEED.
JulieWunder says
I hope that cooking for a crowd become second nature to me one of these days! I'm a lot better than I used to be, but not there yet. Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Debbie Bowen says
I love your posts and recipess. I would like the Winter Wonderlaand candles. My husbaand and I burn candles a lot.