Hilary Duff on Handling the Holiday Stress That Hits Moms Hardest

The holidays are brimming with magic and joy—most of it made possible by hardworking moms behind the scenes. But as the final days of December creep up, the pressure to finish shopping, decorating, hosting, and maintaining traditions can leave moms feeling more frazzled than festive. If your to-do list feels endless, take comfort: mom of four and 2000s icon Hilary Duff totally gets it—and she’s sharing her advice for surviving the holiday crunch.

“Christmas is a big deal in our house,” the beloved Lizzie McGuire star shared with Well & Good. For Duff and many moms though, however, the responsibility for this magical time of the year falls “one hundred percent all on mom.” The pressure to balance holiday magic with daily responsibilities creates what Duff calls “a very long, drawn-out process that can steal joy from you during that time of year.”

“No matter how you slice it, the holidays are going to be hard for a mom,” Duff says. “But isn’t everything hard for us?”

So, what can moms do? For Duff, staving off stress starts with carving out small moments of calm amidst the chaos. Her day often begins with a quiet morning routine spent with her baby, which helps set a more peaceful tone. She also prioritizes an afternoon workout to release tension and refocus her energy.

Perhaps most importantly, Duff reminds moms to challenge the idea that they’re solely responsible for the holiday magic. While it may feel like it “everyone’s happiness does not depend on you,” she explains. “Try to take some of that burden away from yourself.”

In true mom fashion, Duff proves that a little perspective—and a lot of grace—can go a long way toward rediscovering the joy of the season. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a page from Hilary Duff’s book: find your moments of calm, share the load and remember—it doesn’t all have to be perfect to be magical.