Christmas time is my favorite time of the year, the weather is cooler, the lights and decorations are out, people seem happier, holiday treats and parties are in full gear, comfy slippers and holiday socks are worn, family visits, Christmas carols can be heard on every station and hot chocolate is sipped.
As much as I love this season, I have to mentally “gear up” for the additional stress and chaos that comes along with it. Heavier traffic, snow birds, long lines, impatient people, crowds, no parking spots, crying children and overstimulation everywhere I look. All my senses are on heightened alert – I listen more and speak less, see clearer, smell new scents, feel the difference in the air and taste familiar and comforting foods. I become attuned to my surroundings and embrace the changes only this season can bring.
Having a little one during this season only makes it more magical. Everything will be different this year. Your family has grown and a new year of unknowns is just around the corner. Try and remember to enjoy it, every bit of it because before you know it, they will be grown up and some of the magic disappears.
Everyone and every family handles the holidays differently and there is no right or wrong way to handle this season. Here are some tips that have helped me keep the stress down during the holiday season as my girls have grown.
Once our children were born, we made the decision to stay at home on Christmas day. Family is always welcomed to come visit us, but until we, as a family, made the decision to mix it up, we will be home on Christmas morning (14+ years and counting).
Decorate together! The girls and I are responsible for the inside of the house. They pick the music and we sing and dance as we go from room to room and decorate. My husband likes to do the outside, however, anytime the roof is involved, the helpers quickly disappear outside to “help”. The girls trade off yearly who gets to place the star on top of the tree.
Simplify and prioritize, this one is hard! You can’t do it all, so don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Grab schedules and mark your calendars. There are work functions, school parties, home parties, shopping, baking and wrapping to be done. Set realistic goals for your family and stick with them!
Don’t be afraid to say no, having too much to do robs you of the joy of the season.
Make and uphold traditions. We celebrate Christmas Eve with my husband’s dad, attend church, come home and change into our jammies or comfy clothes and make donuts with friends. We have to set some aside for Santa otherwise they ALL get eaten. The kids all play together, watch a movie, read the night before Christmas, create fun concoctions with the dough and eat. We all go home happy with full tummies and a sugar high but we sleep well.
Take time together as just a family to connect, reflect on the year and dream about the upcoming year. Watch movies together, snuggle on the couch, look at old pictures, laugh, be thankful for and enjoy one another.
Write a Christmas letter and attach highlights and lowlights of your year, pictures, videos and anything else. Life is busy and I can’t keep everyone updated on everything, so I feel empowered when I hit send on our annual Christmas letter. No addressing envelopes or buying stamps. I love receiving cards and pictures in the mail and displaying the pictures on my walls for everyone to see and for us to enjoy all year long.
Adopt a family and give back. Fill stockings or shoe boxes for other children who are less fortunate. Pass out meals or blankets or go feed the homeless. Great life lessons are learned about the importance of giving rather than receiving.
Bake cookies or homemade treats and deliver them to police and fire stations to say THANK YOU.
Head to a retirement home or community and visit with the elderly. You will make their year!
Go caroling in your neighborhood and spread the holiday cheer.
Smile, open doors, throw your spare change in a Salvation Army bucket, be kind and patient.
We don’t know what battles anyone else may be facing and how important a small gesture may be to them. Smiling is contagious!
May your holiday season be full of cheer and your upcoming year full of blessings. Always remember…
“Your children need your presence, more than your presents”
-Jesse Jackson