It’s the most wonderful time of the year—unless you happen to be stuck inside for yet another round of quarantine. Then it’s… well, let’s just say less wonderful. If last December felt unusual, this one is déjà vu with a side of hand sanitizer. In cities like New York, many of us are bundled back in our apartments, channeling those March 2020 vibes, except this time with a little more hope (and a lot more rapid tests).

So here we are again: plans delayed, travel reimagined, and most of our festive season happening indoors. If you’re lucky enough to be quarantining with family or a friend, wonderful. If not, it’s still possible to make this season feel cozy, indulgent, and maybe even a little glamorous. After all, if life hands you quarantine during the holidays, why not turn your living room into a personal spa-slash-holiday retreat?

Here’s how to get through it—beautifully.

Step One: Set the Mood

If you’re going to be indoors, make it feel intentional. Scent is one of the fastest ways to shift your environment. A pine-scented candle is basically Christmas tree magic in wax form—fresh, crisp, and instantly nostalgic. If pine isn’t your vibe, try something more adventurous: Diptyque candles, for example, are the gold standard in mood-setting, and with scents ranging from woodsy to floral to mysteriously smoky, you can transform your space into whatever holiday fantasy you want.

Pro tip: light one candle near the door and another in your living space. That way, every time you re-enter, it feels like a boutique hotel instead of just… your apartment.

Step Two: Try Something New

Quarantine gives you one rare gift: time. So why not experiment with beauty rituals you’ve been too busy to try? Already have a moisturizer you love? Elevate it by layering on an overnight mask. Have a facial device gathering dust in the bathroom drawer? Now’s the perfect moment to finally plug it in and see what all the hype is about.

Take Ziip, for example—the microcurrent tool that’s become a cult favorite for its ability to lift, tighten, and generally make your skin look like you didn’t just binge three straight episodes of Selling Sunset. If you’ve been curious, now’s your chance to test-drive it in peace.

Step Three: Give Your Hair Some Love

Normally, the complaint is: “I don’t have time for hair masks.” Well, guess what? You have the time. Quarantine is the perfect excuse to indulge in the long, elaborate hair routine you always scroll past on YouTube but never actually attempt.

Deep conditioners, scalp scrubs, leave-in treatments—bring them all out. This is also your chance to finally answer the age-old question of which hair product is really right for your texture. With zero social commitments on the calendar, even a less-than-perfect experiment won’t matter. By the time you’re out and about again, you’ll have the healthiest hair of your life.

Step Four: DIY Manicure Time

Holiday cheer doesn’t have to stop at your fingertips. Pull out your nail polish collection, turn on a comfort show, and give yourself the manicure you’ve been putting off. Whether you’re into minimalist nude shades or full-on glitter bombs, a polished hand does wonders for morale.

Want to take it up a notch? Try an at-home gel kit or experiment with nail art stickers—no salon required. Not only does it kill time, but it’s also oddly therapeutic. By the time you’re done, you’ll have festive nails ready to wave at your laptop camera on Zoom.

Step Five: Don’t Forget Your Feet

Your feet have carried you through grocery runs, socially distanced walks, and maybe even some living-room dance breaks. They deserve some TLC. Grab a pumice stone, soak in warm water, and slather on a rich foot cream. Slip into cozy socks and let the moisture work its magic. It’s like a pedicure, minus the tiny whirlpool chair.

Step Six: Sparkle Anyway

Just because you’re quarantining doesn’t mean you can’t dress up. In fact, swiping on a bit of holiday makeup might be the easiest way to lift your mood. A shimmery shadow, a bold lip, or even a dusting of glitter can make your reflection feel party-ready, even if your “party” is just FaceTiming your aunt.

The holidays are built for sparkle. Why not indulge in it?

Step Seven: Treat Yourself, Every Day

The truth is, quarantine is exhausting—not just physically but mentally. Which means treating yourself isn’t optional, it’s survival. Turn an ordinary day into a mini-staycation: sleep in, make pasta from scratch, wear a face mask while it boils, and then watch a movie with dessert.

Better yet, create a ritual out of it. Maybe you dedicate Sundays to spa days—bath, candles, exfoliating masks, the works. Or maybe every evening you end with a small ritual, like tea and journaling, or ten minutes of yoga. Little luxuries add up, and they transform quarantine from something to “get through” into something (almost) enjoyable.

The Bottom Line

The holiday season may not look the way we hoped, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still feel special. Between cozy candles, experimental beauty treatments, and glittery makeup moments, you can carve out joy right where you are. Think of it less as a missed holiday and more as a reimagined one—a chance to slow down, reset, and pamper yourself in ways you might normally skip.

So light that candle, slip on those fuzzy socks, and remember: pasta and face masks might not be the holiday duo you envisioned, but they’re not a bad consolation prize either.