Candles with black background
Christmas is about traditions, creating special memories, the joy of giving, and faith. What if, by simplifying, you were able to rediscover a more meaningful holiday season?
Here are four ways to help you and your family find simple joy this Christmas.
Set limits on presents. Growing up, Amy Gilmore and her brother competed to see who would get the most Christmas presents each year. Now a mom of two, Gilmore uses a simple gift-giving rule at her house: each child gets “something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.” By limiting the presents under the tree, Gilmore hopes that her kids will appreciate the thought behind each gift. “I want my children to grow up grateful for every single thing they have,” she says.
Give experiences instead of toys. Instead of buying the latest must-have toys that your kids will forget about in a week, why not give experiences that will build memories instead? Give your child the karate lessons he’s been wanting. Buy the family a board game that everyone can enjoy all year long. These types of gifts keep on giving long after the chaos of Christmas morning.
Find ways to serve others. You may not have the time or resources to participate in a big event, but you can still teach your children about the joy of sharing with others. Give your child some money to put in the Salvation Army bell-ringer’s bucket on your way into the grocery store. Go shopping together for a local winter coat drive. Make a batch of Christmas cookies and deliver them to your local fire or police department to thank them for their service.
Say “no” to busy-ness and “yes” to making simple memories. Between your neighbor’s cookie exchange, your friend’s Ugly Christmas Sweater party, and all of the Santa photo ops around town, it’s easy to feel pressure to fit in too many holiday activities. Parenting instructor and speaker Marianne Miller recommends deciding ahead of time how many holiday events you will attend. Then, you can decline other invitations. Read Christmas books to your kids in front of the fire. Light a candle in your Advent wreath or decorate cookies for Santa. Pour hot chocolate into thermoses, put on your pajamas, and drive around looking at lights. Years down the road, these memories are what your children will remember.
If you find yourself stressing over your next Elf on a Shelf scenario or keeping up with your neighbor’s light display, try a less-is-more approach. “So many parents feel a weight to create a magical Christmas for their kids,” Miller says. “What they don’t realize is what makes the season memorable is its beautiful simplicity.” May you and your family discover a simpler, more meaningful Christmas this year.
Sandi Haustein is a freelance writer and mom of four.