As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The holidays are full of good things: lights, music, family and food. They’re also full of lists, shopping, cooking, travel and late nights. Somewhere between wrapping the last present and planning the big dinner, many of us forget to take a breath.
Coloring is one of the simplest ways to carve out a few quiet minutes for yourself. Here’s why adult coloring for stress relief works for so many people, how to build a cozy coloring ritual this Christmas, and a few festive books to get you started.
Why Coloring Feels So Relaxing
Coloring isn’t only for kids. In a Cleveland Clinic article on adult coloring, clinical psychologist Scott M. Bea, PsyD, explains three reasons it can be calming:
- Your attention moves away from yourself. Coloring shifts your focus from your worries to the present moment, “very much like a meditative exercise,” he says.
- It relaxes the brain. When your thoughts settle on a simple activity, you’re less caught up in your own thoughts and judgments.
- The stakes are low. As Dr. Bea puts it, “It is hard to screw up coloring, and, even if you do, there is no real consequence.”
That last point is especially welcome in December, when so much feels like it has to be perfect.
The same article is honest about the limits: research on adult coloring specifically is limited, and coloring doesn’t relax everyone. Think of it as one gentle tool for your holiday season, not a cure-all. If stress or anxiety feels heavy or lasts a long time, please reach out to a doctor or mental health professional.
How to Create a Cozy Christmas Coloring Ritual
Pick a time that’s just yours
Early morning with coffee, a quiet lunch break, or after the kids are in bed. Even 15 to 20 minutes counts.
Set the scene
Light a candle, turn on soft Christmas music or a crackling fire video, and wrap up in a blanket. Making the moment cozy is part of the point.
Choose pages that match your mood
Tired? Pick a simple design with big spaces. Feeling playful? Choose a funny page. Need to settle a racing mind? A detailed mandala or pattern can keep your attention gently busy.
Put the phone away
Silence notifications for your coloring time. It’s surprising how restful a few minutes without a screen can feel.
Try a simple 20-minute coloring break
- Make a warm drink and sit somewhere comfortable.
- Take three slow breaths before you start.
- Choose one small area of the page, like a single ornament or a window, and color only that.
- Notice the colors, the sound of the pencil and the feel of the paper.
- When your time is up, stop, even if the page isn’t finished. It will be waiting for you tomorrow.
Let go of perfect
Use whatever colors you like, leave a page half-finished, color outside the lines. This is the one Christmas job with no deadline.
Cozy Christmas Coloring Books for Adults
If you’d like a festive book to color this season, here are three Lily Grace Christmas titles for teens and adults, each with a different personality.
For laughs: Christmas Chaos
When the holidays feel a little out of control, a laugh helps. Christmas Chaos has 50 cozy Christmas coloring pages with witty, sarcastic captions and festive mishaps for holiday laughs and relaxation.
For “me time”: Christmas, Almost Perfect
Perfect for anyone whose Christmas is lovely but not quite picture-perfect. Christmas, Almost Perfect offers 50 cozy festive scenes with funny, lighthearted captions: a little Christmas time just for you.
For classic charm: Christmas Coloring Book
If you love a traditional Christmas, the Christmas Coloring Book features 50 traditional scenes: snowy cottages and villages, glowing fireplaces, decorated trees, winter animals and holiday treats.
Beyond Christmas: mandalas for mindful moments
If you prefer patterns to holiday scenes, Tao Mandalas pairs 50 mandalas with wisdom from the Tao Te Ching, and is senior and beginner friendly.
Simple Supplies for Adult Coloring
You don’t need anything fancy:
- Colored pencils are the easiest place to start and great for blending and shading.
- Fine-tip markers give bold, bright color. Slip a sheet of paper behind your page in case of bleed-through.
- Gel pens add sparkle to ornaments, lights and snow.
- A pencil sharpener and a pouch keep everything ready to go.
Coloring as a Gift
A Christmas coloring book with a small set of colored pencils makes a thoughtful, low-cost gift for a friend, coworker, grandparent or teen. Add a hot chocolate packet or a candle, and you have a ready-made “cozy night in” gift. A funny title can also be a fun white elephant or Secret Santa pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does coloring help with stress and anxiety?
Many people find coloring relaxing. A Cleveland Clinic psychologist explains that it shifts your attention to the present moment and is low-pressure, which can feel calming. Research on adult coloring is still limited, and it isn’t a replacement for professional help.
How long should I color to feel relaxed?
There’s no set rule. Many people enjoy a 15 to 20 minute session. Start small and see what feels good for you.
Are Christmas coloring books for adults suitable for teens?
The three Christmas titles above are made for teens and adults. Teens who enjoy cozy scenes or funny captions may especially like them.
What should I color with as a beginner?
Colored pencils are the easiest place to start. They’re forgiving, easy to blend and don’t bleed through the page.
Find Your Next Cozy Coloring Book
Lily Grace creates cozy coloring books for kids, teens and adults, from festive Christmas books to relaxing florals and mandalas. See them all on the Lily Grace books page.
Wishing you a calm, colorful and cozy Christmas.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.