Every year, we look forward to winter break, especially the week after Christmas (a.k.a. Romjul). We often spend it at the beach with friends. After nearly 20 years, they are the kind of people who feel like family. And together, we have raised our kids.
On one of those trips, we stumbled over the term, Romjul. Romjul accurately describes our experience between Christmas and New Year’s Day. And now, we have a word for it.
Romjul is a Norwegian holiday that refers to the week as a tranquil time to spend at home with friends and family undisturbed by the outside world. And a great time to rest, recharge and reset for the new year. The British equivalent is Boxing Week and I love the Danish term, “Yule Vacation.”
According to several articles, Romjul is more than a week on the calendar, it’s a mindset, a time to cozy up with loved ones, take long restorative walks, slow down and reflect on the past year. It gives us a reason to snuggle up on the couch and watch Hallmark. Awesome! I’m in!
Our unofficial version includes movies, playing cards, eating all the leftovers, and walks on the beach. But here are nine ways to create your own Romjul week.
How to Romjul
1. Screen Fast – Your inbox out-of-office-replier is on, so take advantage of it and turn off your phone for a few hours. Better yet, park it in another room and be present with everyone who is home for the holidays.
2. Eat the Leftovers – I don’t know about you but we always end up with a lot of baked goods after Christmas. So, instead of running to the store, we eat our way through all the goodies and start the new year off with a clean slate and more vegetables.
3. Take Long Walks – This is a great way to walk off the leftovers and be present. Try pairing up with a family member and ask them open-ended questions, like “What was your favorite part of Christmas?” or “Are you making a New Year’s resolution?”
4. Watch Hallmark Movies and Read Books – I know. All Hallmark movies are the same but I’ve grown to love their predictability. Also, it’s easy to read or play a game with one running in the background. And it keeps Christmas around a little longer.
5. Play Games – My husband and I love to play cards but we need another couple for our favorite partner games, which are Pinochle and Spades. During the year, it’s also harder to find time for a long board game or a puzzle. But during Romjul, we enjoy all the games like Ticket to Ride, Yahtzee, and Monopoly Deal.
6. Make Festive Beverages – I am the designated mixologist in our family. And I recently purchased a silicone ice cube tray to make festive ice cubes. Garnished with rosemary and cranberries, just like Instagram. We’re known to cozy up with a cup of tea too.
7. Forget What Day It Is – This is a lovely feeling. At least 3 times a day, someone says, what day is today? There’s no schedule and nowhere we need to be.
8. Time with Family and Friends – My favorite part is the extra time with family and friends. Romjul is a great week for a mini-getaway with school and work on hiatus. In years past, we’ve gone skiing or spent time at the beach. Winter is a beautiful time for a long walk on the beach.
9. Small Decluttering Tasks – I use the 2-Minute Rule daily. If it takes 2 minutes to complete a task, do it immediately. Making the bed, hanging up your coat, throwing away the junk mail, and putting a dish in the dishwasher can all be accomplished in approximately 2 minutes or less. But when we allow these small tasks to accumulate, they take more time and create a bigger mess. Clutter attracts clutter, especially on flat surfaces. And one dirty dishes in the sink sends a message that more should join. While a small pile of papers will inevitably grow.
Use the week after Christmas to break down boxes, throw away wrapping paper, and put away gifts. Remove items from the packaging immediately and be sure the electronics work or return them promptly. Because the longer it stays in your house, the less likely you are to return even an unwanted gift. Use Romjul to reset the house for the New Year. And use the 2-Minute Rule to break it down into small projects and create a new habit.
Conclusion
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this is NOT a task list. Romjul is an excuse to be lazy. More than anything, enjoy the downtime. Snuggle up with a blanket and remember, these are just ideas, not a to-do list.
Happy Romjul!
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