Comfortable Clothes for Your Canceled Post-Holiday Plans

Having plans after the hustle and bustle of the holidays can feel overwhelming, especially if you hosted friends and family. Maybe you committed to the plan without considering how tired you would be post-holiday, or maybe you felt like you couldn’t say no at the time. We’re here to tell you it’s okay to cancel your plans and stay home in comfortable clothes!

Discover the art of canceling plans you’ve made with friends, family, and loved ones, including when not to cancel those plans. Plus, some of the most comfortable finds on the market to keep you cozy, as well as snacks to satisfy your cravings for when you do decide to stay home.

Canceling plans can be a form of self-care

If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s how to be flexible. “During the pandemic, society experienced events of all sizes being frequently canceled and rescheduled, sometimes even several times,” Courtney Opalko, an etiquette expert and coach tells Parade. “We all had to learn to be flexible, but it also made it easier and more acceptable to cancel at the last minute due to illness, crowds or unfavorable logistics.” 

While canceling plans last minute isn’t ideal, it’s not unheard of. And in some cases, those last-minute cancellations can be just what our minds and bodies need when it comes to self-care.

“One benefit of the new normal with last-minute canceling is that in the best case, it can be the result of a personal focus on self-care and balance,” etiquette expert Jennifer Porter adds. While occasionally acceptable, Porter says canceling plans last minute shouldn’t become a habit. “It can have adverse effects on relationships if done too often with the same person or group of friends or family.”

How to cancel plans with good etiquette: cancel ASAP

Generally speaking, you should cancel plans the minute you know you’re not going to be able to make them (short of emergencies, of course). If it’s an event that required a formal RSVP, change your response to “no” as soon as possible or let the planning party responsible know.

“If the cancellation is due to feeling overwhelmed, over-scheduled or simply no longer being interested in the event, it’s important to give two to three days’ notice, if not more,” LaPointe says. Less formal gatherings like get-togethers with friends require less notice because there are less formalities involved, but you should still communicate your intentions as soon as possible.

When is canceling plans last minute acceptable?

Canceling plans for your own sake is one thing, but there are bound to be times when you have to cancel them last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. For example, when you have physical or mental health emergencies, a crisis with a child, or illness, hospitalization, or a death in the family, or you have legal obligations, last minute cancellations are acceptable (and even expected!).

Similarly, when there are natural disasters or other things out of your control like canceled flights or car accidents, last-minute cancelations are totally acceptable.

Must-Have Clothing for Canceled Plans

Must-Have Snacks & Accessories for Canceled Plans

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