With Thanksgiving now behind us, the flurry of the Christmas season has arrived with gusto.
Every TV station you turn on is full of commercials advertising “must-have” items for Christmas.
Every store you walk into has the unmistakable Christmas songs playing, not so subtly, in the background.
Talk with almost any child and they will be filled with excitement as they recount what they are looking forward to this Christmas season.
Talk with almost every adult and they relate all the Christmastime duties that they must accomplish.
For so many parents, the Christmas season can actually seem overwhelming.
There are gifts to purchase, cookies to bake, a house to clean, declutter and decorate, as well as trying to stay on top of regular day to day parenting duties.
I will admit that, for many years, the Christmas season repulsed me.
However, with losing my mom and my youngest brother last year, something in me has shifted.
I realize just how short and unpredictable life really is.
I have two children that just adore Christmas.
As we stroll through the aisles in local department stores together, they sing and dance along to the Christmas music.
As we drive down the busy city streets, they point excitedly to all the different Christmas light displays.
I used to inwardly cringe at their Christmastime enthusiasm.
With a house full of teenagers and young adults now, I am realizing I need to approach this Christmas season differently.
It is not guaranteed that we will all spend another Christmas season together(although I sure hope we do).
I have decided to relax the expectations that I set upon myself each Christmas time.
I am going to embrace and welcome this Christmas season.
I have spent a large amount of time this last weekend planning out some unique Christmas activities that I think my family will enjoy.
I’ve decided to structure our homeschool assignments and activities to revolve around the Christmas season.
I have removed all activities from our calendar this month that overwhelm me.
Although we have not purchased our Christmas tree yet, I did succumb and buy a few Christmas CDs. I spent 2 days watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music with my family.
This year is going to be different. How am I so sure?
Because my attitude is different.
As the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season surround and threaten to smother you, I challenge you to slow down and try to imagine this season through your children’s eyes.
Take an hour or 2 and plan out what activities you’d like to introduce to your family this year. I don’t mean the events you MUST do. I mean events that are meaningful to you or one of your children.
Allow the spirit of Christmas to envelope you and it just may wind up being one of the best seasons you’ve ever EXPERIENCED.
EXPERIENCE it with your family.
Don’t just make a list of what you need to do. A list of what your children need to do. A list of responsibilities.
Instead, slow down and EXPERIENCE this Christmas season with your family.
Try a new recipe, design a new table centerpiece, design some unique ornaments for the tree, partake in a fun photoshoot, the possibilities are endless.
I’d love to hear your ideas for unique Christmas season experiences!
Please share them, they may just encourage someone else.
For some fun Christmas recipes, check out this blog post:
https://learningisawayoflife.com/christmas-kitchen-fun/
Great advice!
I found that the only one that was putting pressure on for everything to be perfect, was me! Once I stopped thinking I had to do everything, Christmas was so much more enjoyable. I love it, but I used to want to do too much.
I agree!
Sometimes, as parents, we are definitely our own worst enemy.