How to Create Holiday Magic When You’re Living With Your In-Laws During a House Renovation
Living not in your house during a house renovation at the holidays is… a lot. Add kids, work, broken routines, and boxes everywhere — and suddenly the season that’s supposed to feel magical can feel heavy instead. If this is your reality right now, I just want to say: you’re not alone. And even in the chaos, there is still a way to create holiday magic — it just looks a little different this year. Here’s how I’m learning to hold space for both the mess and the magic.
12/1/2025
Redefine What “Holiday Magic” Really Means
When you’re not in your own space, perfection has to go. The magic doesn’t come from matching decor or hosting the perfect dinner — it comes from connection. A movie night on the couch together, hot chocolate before bed, or a single strand of lights in a bedroom window can be just as meaningful as a fully decorated home.
This season, presence over perfection is everything.
Create One Cozy Corner That’s Yours
Even if the rest of the house doesn’t feel fully like home, having one small space that feels like you makes a huge emotional difference. It might be:
A basket of holiday books in your room
A tiny tabletop tree
A tray with candles and family photos
This becomes your pause button when everything else feels overwhelming.
Keep a Few Simple Traditions (Not All of Them)
You don’t need to carry every tradition through this season. Choose 2–3 that really matter to your family:
Baking the same cookies every year
A nightly holiday story
A weekly movie night
Holiday tree lighting
Let the rest go — just for this year.
Get the Kids Involved in the “In-Between”
Kids don’t need finished houses to feel joy. Let them:
Make paper ornaments
Fill out a Letter to Santa
Create handmade decor for the shared space
They’ll remember the creativity, not the construction.
Set Gentle Boundaries With Shared Living
Living with family during a renovation adds emotional layers. Give yourself permission to:
Step away when overstimulated
Protect your routines when possible
Ask for quiet time
You’re navigating logistics and emotions — that deserves compassion.
Let This Holiday Be “Different,” Not Less
It’s okay if this isn’t the holiday you imagined. Different doesn’t mean ruined. It means you’re in the middle of a transition — and transitions are where some of the most meaningful memories are formed.
Just a few final thoughts...
You aren’t failing because this season looks different. You’re building something — a home, stability, and a future — often at great personal cost and emotional weight. That is magic, too.
The twinkle lights will come down one day. The renovation dust will settle. You’ll be back in your own space. And this season — messy, crowded, loud, and unfinished — will become one you look back on with gratitude for the adventure had and memories made forever with people you love.