For many, the Christmas season is a month to look forward to, but for others, "holiday overload" is real. Between the stress and exhaustion of social commitments, shopping, decorating, and cooking, and the sensory overload that comes with large crowds, sometimes you need to do something fun, relaxing, and non-Christmas related. Here are five upcoming events to soothe the soul.

Gardens Aglow, Boothbay

Ongoing until December 31

With more than 750,000 light displays illuminating the night sky, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens turns into a quiet winter wonderland under the stars. Trees, grasses, ponds, the children's garden, herb gardens, and outbuildings are lit up as you walk the garden paths.

The enchanting outdoor scenes feature trees and bushes shaped like mushrooms, birds, reptiles, and other animals glowing from within, and many come for the popular giant recycled-wood sculpture trolls, Roskva and her baby sister, Lilja. First-time visitors have called it "spectacular and breathtaking" on review sites like TripAdvisor. FMI: Gardens Aglow

Pagan Coffee Talk and Yuletide Craft Circle, Waterville

Sunday, December 15 at 12 p.m.

Waterville Creates is hosting a chill afternoon for people who like to work with their hands or who just want to meet some new friends. Located inside the Paul J Schupf Art Center in downtown Waterville, the event is free and invites guests to take a craft to work on or make and decorate your own mini Yule Log candle holder with donated supplies.

Organizer Alexis Burbank said the coffee talk will revolve around an open convesation around favorite traditions around the winter solstice, seasonal folklore, and what the Yule log's symbolic meaning for the return of the sun. FMI: Pagan Coffee Talk

Full Moon Hike -Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson

Sunday, December 15, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

If you really want to clear your senses, register for this hike soon, as space is limited. Start at the Welcome Center at HVNC with good hiking shoes or boots, a snack, drink, flashlight or headlamp.

This upcoming full moon on Sunday, December 15, is known as the Cold Moon, as your guide takes you through the moderate two-to-three mile hike.

Listen for the sound of owls and other nocturnal animals or just forest bathe under the illuminated night sky. FMI: Midcoast Conservancy Hike

Candle and Charcuterie Class, Brewer

December 19 at 5:30 p.m

Perfect for the creative person who loves the scent of candles and charcuterie. Downtown Charcuterie has partnered with another business, Blooming Tree Studio, to offer an after-work event.

First, you'll be able to make a natural wax candle with the scent of your choice to take home with you. While that's curing, Downtown Charcuterie will teach you how to make a delicious charcuterie spread for one person that you can either nibble on while you're there or have wrapped up and take home with you.

Register early; this limited class only holds 24 people. FMI: Candle & Charcutierie

Winter Solstice By The Sea, Searsport

Saturday, December 21 at 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Hundreds of luminaries will be lit along a pathway for a winter solstice celebration of light on Sears Island courtesy of Friends of Sears Island (FOSI).

At 5 p.m., FOSI members and Carver Librarian Ronda Nichols will present "The Shortest Day" shadow puppet theater, as well as some solstice poems. There will be a fire pit, an evergreen spiral path to walk, and a table with free hot cocoa and cookies.

The Portable Pie Place food truck will be offering soups, savory hand pies, desserts, coffee, and cider drinks. FMI: Winter Solstice By The Sea.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com