If you are like most parents I know, you are beginning realize that not only is December upon us, but the time is slipping away too quickly. Before we know it, Christmas will be here, and you will be wondering, “Where did the time go?” With work, practices, concerts, shopping, planning, parties, not to mention the millions of routine things that parents do on a daily basis, trying to fit in one or two little things like a new family tradition can be stressful as well as make parents think, “Is it really worth it?”
I’m here to tell you that yes, it really is worth it to make and keep up yearly special traditions. Traditions, of course, can be made at any time of the year, but there is something about the holiday time that lends itself to a special status. It is the perfect time to create new and meaningful traditions that your children will cherish and look forward to.
Most people naturally have at least one or two traditions that they do each year around the holidays, but some frazzled parents might wonder if continuing them are important or really mean that much. What some parents fail to realize is that to a child, these traditions mark important milestones in that child’s life. I’ve come to realize that with children, it’s really the little things that mean the most to them.
Gifts, of course, are wonderful, and every child looks forward to them, but don’t forget to give them another gift that will mean much, much more: your time. When you give your children traditions, you are actually giving them the gift of your time. No amount of presents or cash can make up for time with Mom or Dad. Traditions can be a good way to have more family time in an easy and fun way. Keep in mind that the traditions that you follow today can be a powerful focal point of memories for your child. These special family moments are the real things that they will remember and treasure forever, not that special gift that you picked out just for them.
It might seem strange or hard to hear that a child won’t remember the gift you gave them, especially if you are like most parents and try very hard to give a gift to your child that will love and cherish. It’s not that they won’t love what you spent hours searching for; it’s just that material things are temporary. Sorry to break the news to you, but it’s rarely the gifts that children will remember but the small and simple things you do that make this time of year special.
Like almost everyone I know, I remember special things about the holidays that my family did each year when I was growing up. I not only cherish those memories, but I have tried to continue to do many of them with my own children. Some of these include baking cookies and goodies for friends and neighbors, decorating the tree together, and hiding our special pickle ornament for Christmas morning. Carrying on these kinds of traditions from my childhood not only reminds me of my parents and siblings, but brings back fun memories that hopefully I can make with my own children. In addition, it’s an easy and simple way to connect one generation to another, especially if grandparents or other family members are visiting and have a chance to witness or participate in some way.
If you are feeling overwhelmed about starting or continuing a tradition, don’t. They do not have to be large or complex. The best traditions are simple things. The best part about it is that there is no certain way or method that you have to follow. You and your family decide what it should look like, feel like, how it should be shared, or even who to share it with. The most important thing is to make it something that you and your family can do together as a family.
Here are some ideas that you and your family can try this holiday season:
–Make an advent calendar tailored to the things your family likes. Some families like to have small service projects for family members.
–Go to a tree farm or nursery and pick out and cut down a tree together. My own kids loved this when they were young, and we always followed it up with a candy cane or cup of hot cocoa.
–Take pictures with Santa. Its fun to look at pictures from past Christmases and see how much the kids have grown and changed over the years.
–Make homemade cookies for friends and neighbors. Many families have a special cookie recipe that they make only at Christmas that has been handed down from family members. Having them help to make and decorate them builds family unity and fun memories.
–Make and paint a new ornament and record the date on the back. In my own family, I give a special ornament each year to my kids to keep special for when then they grow up. They love this tradition and look forward to finding out what their new ornament is that year. Every Christmas, they set them all out and fondly remember when they received them. After they get married, I give the entire set to them so that they will have ornaments for their own family tree. This is a great tradition to pass on generation to generation.
–Attend a religious meeting about Christmas or listen to spiritual music such as Handel’s Messiah.
–Pack up all the kids in their pajamas and drive around town looking at all the holiday lights. Many towns have certain neighborhoods that go all out and are fun to look at.
–Attend a play, concert, or other Christmas-themed entertainment. You can check out your local town or school calendar to find Christmas venues to increase your child’s cultural awareness.
–Sing carols to friends or neighbors, or even visit an elderly facility and spread some holiday cheer to those who are unable to be with family.
–Read a special Christmas-themed book each night to your kids before bed. There are many Christmas books to choose from beyond “The Night before Christmas.”
–Rent or watch a holiday movie together. Home Alone is one of our family’s favorites.
–Do other acts of service. This could be anything from making cookies or meals or collecting coats or toys for those less fortunate. This is a great time to help your children feel the joy of giving rather than just receiving. It also helps them see that they can make a difference in the world, even from small acts of kindness and service.
Besides the ones listed, there are literally hundreds, if not more, of things that parents can do with their children during the holiday season to make them special that your kids will beg to do every year. Find ones that make the holidays special in your own way. As the years go by, children may grow up, move away, and start a family of their own, but the memories you made together will be theirs forever. Why not make one today?
