Clitmas: The Holiday of Pleasure
by Dr. Denise Renye
The holidays are a time for joy, giving, and connection. This year, consider adding something extra to the celebration: pleasure. Welcome to Clitmas, a cheeky reminder that honoring your own sexual well-being is just as important as any festive tradition. Clitmas is for anyone with a clit and anyone who loves, celebrates, or wants to honor clits.
For many, the holiday season can be hectic, filled with obligations, travel, and endless to-do lists. In the middle of all that, it is easy to forget one very important person: you. Clitmas is about slowing down, checking in with your body, and remembering that pleasure is not just a luxury. It is a vital part of being fully alive.
Humor and wordplay can be surprisingly powerful tools for sexual empowerment. Using playful terms like Clitmas or remembering my former professor’s drag queen name, Clitty Umbridge, helps normalize conversations about sexuality and reduces shame. It reminds us that our bodies and our pleasure can be fun to talk about and celebrate.
Self-pleasure is often stigmatized or relegated to the shadows, but it is a practice that can deepen your connection to yourself. It teaches awareness, presence, and attunement to what feels good. During Clitmas, consider giving yourself the gift of exploration. Notice sensations, experiment with touch, or try a guided meditation to awaken your body’s sensitivity.
Clitmas is also about playfulness. You can approach pleasure like decorating a tree. Each moment and each touch is a little ornament of delight. It is not about doing it right or reaching a specific goal. It is about enjoying the experience, tuning into your body, and celebrating the joy that lives in your own skin.
Here is a simple Clitmas checklist to help you celebrate yourself this season:
Light a candle or diffuse a favorite scent to create a cozy atmosphere.
Take a few deep breaths and check in with how your body feels.
Explore self-touch in ways that feel good without any pressure to reach orgasm.
Try a guided meditation or mindfulness exercise focused on bodily sensations.
Notice small moments of pleasure throughout your day, like a warm shower or a comforting cup of tea.
Journal or reflect on what feels enjoyable and nourishing in your body and your life.
Clitmas is a reminder that pleasure is not just a holiday indulgence. It is a practice. Give yourself the gift that keeps on giving: your own attention, your own joy, and your own Clitmas.
For more ways to embrace slowing down and tuning in to yourself, check out The Healing Power of Slowing Down. You can also explore more guided practices and exercises in my Journey to the Center of You eBook. If you would like support integrating pleasure and self-care into your life, reach out to me anytime through my contact page.
Merry Clitmas to All and to All a Goodnight!
Clitmas Journal Prompts
What parts of my body bring me the most pleasure, and how can I honor them more this season?
If I could write a love letter to my clit, what would I say?
What playful ways can I give myself joy this week without pressure or expectations?
How can I bring more humor and fun into my sexual self-care practices?
What fantasies or desires have I been curious about but haven’t explored yet, and what small step could I take toward them?