Christmas is a magical and exciting time for kids, and you can enhance this wonderful time of the year by establishing your own special family traditions... Christmas holiday traditions are important for families as they provide a sense of security, belonging and love, whilst building strong family bonds.
The lead up to Christmas can be an extremely hectic time with parents rushing around trying to find the perfect gift and stress levels are often at an all-time high. This Christmas why don’t you relax, take time out and make Christmas about being together, bonding, laughing and having fun. In years to come the kids won’t remember what gifts they received, but the wonderful memories and traditions you create will last forever...
Decorating the Christmas Tree
Make an occasion of decorating the Christmas tree each year by choosing a special day, then put on some Christmas music and let the fun begin. Let the kids help by sorting out the decorations, testing the lights, and hanging the decorations, where they can reach.
It’s great to have some home-made or personalised decorations to give your tree a family feel. You can make your own decorations from bread dough or buy large Christmas balls and write the kids names on them with glitter glue pens.
Watch some Christmas Movies
Have a Movie Night, grab some extra pillows and snuggle up with the kids on the couch. Pop some popcorn, or treat yourself to some ice-cream and watch a funny Christmas movie.
Great Family Christmas Movies:
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
Home Alone and Home Alone Lost in New York
Elf
The Grinch who Stole Christmas
Polar Express
The Christmas Star
Christmas Lights & Displays
Pile everyone into the car and drive around looking at the Christmas light displays. Many shops and business provide fantastic displays that the kids will love. Make a night of it, go out for dinner or pack a picnic to have at a local park, then run around or play while you wait for the lights to come on.
Get the kids involved
From painting wrapping paper, to choosing gifts for grandparents or baking biscuits let the kids get involved, it may take a little longer but it will be a whole lot of fun! Kids love to give, let them share their efforts with family and friends. Individually wrapped gingerbread men, or small packets of sweets and biscuits make great gifts for school friends, teachers or neighbours.
Family Photo
Take a photo of your family in a special place (maybe by the Christmas Tree) every Christmas Eve. Set up the Camera (or invite a friend over to take the shots), pop on some Christmas hats and include the family pets in the photos too. The kids will love to look back at the photos as they get older, to see how much they have changed from year to year.
Grandparents
Share your kids with their grandparents; they could have a special day at their grandparents house to help set up their Christmas tree or to bake some special treats. This is a great opportunity for you to get some last minute shopping done too.
Christmas Eve
Make a ritual of putting out milk and snacks for Santa and something special outside for the reindeers. Sit down and relax with a hot chocolate with marshmallows and enjoy some christmas cookies and explain to the kids what will happen the next day, before tucking them into bed.
When creating your family traditions, you may chose to do some of the things you did as a child or incorporate some cultural or religious ideas:- Carols by Candlelight, Church Services, Advent Calendars, Special Christmas Stories and Christmas Candles are more great ways to celebrate the fun of Christmas.
By creating your own family traditions, and repeating them each year you will create a strong family bond. The kids will have something to look forward to every year and they will experience a sense of belonging and know they have a special place in the family.
So, be sure to take the time this year to plan some new holiday traditions for you and your family and begin creating memories that will last forever!
This article is courtesy of Sandy Prosdocimo, Mum to 3 great kids and owner of http://www.smart-mums.com.au - everything Mums need....
