The holiday seasons is a time of year filled with special family times. Some of my most special memories growing up include our family’s Christmas traditions. Our family always seemed to find a way to make the holidays special without spending a lot of money. We loved playing Christmas music as we decorated the Christmas tree. And don’t get me started about how special our church’s annual Christmas pageant was. These really are the types of memories that stay with you for the rest of your life.
Why not take the time to start some fun holiday traditions with your own family this year. There are many different things you can do to mark the Christmas season. Choose activities that you and the kids will enjoy and make them a part of your annual holiday festivities. Repeat the activities each year, and before you know it you’ll have your own family traditions.
Some ideas to get you started on the trail to creating your own family traditions include:
Have a Christmas movie night. You can serve hot chocolate and enjoy a holiday-themed movie to mark the beginning of the holiday season. Children’s classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Charlie Brown’s Christmas are good choices. More modern selections might include The Santa Clause or A Christmas Story.
Enjoy a favorite Christmas tale. Much like the Christmas movie night, you can serve holiday cookies and hot chocolate to really make the evening special. Then, let each of the kids select a story to be read with the whole family. What child wouldn’t love hearing wonderful tales like The Polar Express or The Night Before Christmas.
Check out area light displays. Many communities’ parks and recreation departments create elaborate displays of Christmas lights. If you don’t have community displays, however, you don’t have to give up checking out Christmas lights. You can load the little ones up in the car and drive around your neighborhood.
Volunteer together to help someone else. If you can afford it, adopting a family for Christmas is a wonderful way to share the Christmas spirit with someone else. However, you can always choose to donate your time rather than money. Maybe your elderly neighbor needs help putting up her Christmas decorations. You and the kids can go over to her house and help her. Gather your kids and decide together who you will help this year.
Spend an afternoon doing your holiday baking. Nothing is more fun than an afternoon in the kitchen making sweets with your kids. Sure, you’ll make a mess, but imagine what a good time you’ll have. You can share the fruits of your fun day with family and friends by making and delivering goodie baskets to spread the fun beyond your own family.
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