Nofred Journals: Special Christmas Edition

CHRISTMAS STORIES

Becoming a Parent Changed How Christmas Feels

For PR and branding consultant Sofie Holst Nyvold, Christmas has shifted away from full calendars and perfect plans toward slower days, familiarity and seeing the season anew through her son.

@sofieholstnyvold

This December, we spoke with Sofie Holst Nyvold, a Copenhagen-based PR and branding consultant, about how becoming a mother has changed how Christmas feels. After building her career within PR and branding — and later establishing her own consultancy — Sofie now approaches December with fewer plans and a clearer sense of what matters. Together with her partner Jonathan Gudmundsson and their son Vincent, Christmas is no longer about filling the calendar, but about creating space for calm and presence.

What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?

"I’m most looking forward to experiencing the magic of Christmas through my son’s eyes. Christmas has always felt special to me, but seeing it through him adds a new layer of meaning.
I try to slow down and be present. To choose quieter moments over busy days. Simple traditions, time at home, decorating, baking and being together. It doesn’t need to be more than that — and it’s enough."

How has your idea of Christmas changed since becoming a parent?

"My idea of Christmas has changed a lot since becoming a mother. Before, it was often about planning, creating experiences and ticking things off a list. Now, it’s much more about creating calm and presence.

Rather than focusing on everything we want to do, I focus on how we want December to feel. Being together matters more than getting everything done."

“Joy often lives in the simple things rather than the big plans.”

Are there any traditions you’ve carried on from your own childhood?

"I grew up with the feeling that Christmas should be calm and familiar. Lighting candles, playing the same music every year and creating a cozy home atmosphere are traditions I grew up with and now want to pass on. I remember Christmas as a time where time slowed down, and that feeling has stayed with me. Those sensory memories of scents, sounds and quiet moments are what I value most and try to recreate today."

How do you involve your children in the idea of gratitude and giving?

"At this age, it’s mostly about showing rather than explaining. We talk gently about kindness, sharing and being thankful. Simple actions, like choosing something together for someone else or talking about what makes us feel grateful, are enough for now. I believe gratitude grows naturally when children feel safe and loved."

“I’m excited about slowing down & being home without a packed schedule”

What do you hope your children will remember most about Christmas growing up?

"I hope Vincent will remember the feeling of warmth and togetherness. The sense of family and love in our home.

More than specific activities or traditions, I hope he remembers that Christmas was a time when we slowed down and were truly together."

What are your top three tips for creating a calm, child-friendly Christmas?

"1. Simplify.
Fewer plans, more presence.

2. Keep the rhythms you know.
Familiar routines help children feel safe, even during the holidays. Slow mornings, everyday habits — and yes, pyjamas all day if that’s what the day calls for.

3. Choose with intention.
Christmas isn’t about doing more. It’s about choosing what truly matters."

Kelsey’s favourite Christmas reads

Books are part of the family’s December rhythm — read again and again.

A LITTLE EXTRA CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION

Alongside her work in PR and branding, Sofie has recently launched out:SOURCE, a curated platform for objects to borrow or own. Rooted in a thoughtful approach to consumption and aesthetics, out:SOURCE invites visitors to experience design in a more intentional way. This winter, Sofie is hosting a pop-up at HAUS in Copenhagen, where the platform comes to life through carefully selected objects and upcoming events.

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