Is savoring the holidays with kids possible!? Organizing, buying gifts, making meals, hosting, traveling, having house guests, etc. Plus, prepping for Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, can be a lot. (Not to mention National Sangria Day is on December 20th and sounds like a holiday I can get behind!)
As we all know, the busy-ness of the holiday season can get in the way of actually enjoying the true meaning of the holiday(s). This busy-ness can encompass everything from social events, performances at school, cooking, planning, prepping, gift-wrapping, decorating, baking, etc. By the time the holiday you choose to celebrate rolls around, it’s no wonder you’re exhausted.
For the past decade, my family has traveled to Germany for Christmas most years, which is magical and so special. But it means buying and wrapping gifts super early, decorating the house at least to a minimum, and trying to make magic happen at home and abroad. It can be daunting. Here are a few thoughts on how to enjoy the holiday season and keep some of the craziness to a minimum.
Savoring the Holidays with Kids
1. Get Into the Right Mindset
Prioritize what is most important to you. It’s easy to approach the holiday season wanting to do it all. All of a sudden you’re baking cookies while online shopping for gifts while stamping and licking holiday cards right before your partner’s work holiday party. Take some time to reflect on what is most important to you and prioritize those things. Your kids truly will not remember how many different types of cookies you had or if there were five or six or ten presents to unwrap. But throughout the years, they will remember and cherish a calm-ish parent who creates traditions. Presence over presents!
2. Set Boundaries
Raise your hand if you’re a people pleaser! We need to remind ourselves that we are not responsible for others’ happiness. You do you! The very few times we have hosted for a holiday at our house, I have not wanted to stand in the kitchen all day prepping food. Nor do I want anyone else to have to do this. I emphasize this in advance so that everyone knows. It’s okay to divide up the work load, purchase a prepared side dish or two, and call it good.
You don’t have to say yes to every holiday party or bring the cookies for your child’s school event or organize the teacher gift. It’s okay to let some things go. It’s okay to say no. For the people in the back, I’ll repeat: It’s okay to say no!
3. Delegate
Let other people help. It’s hard, I know. You think you know how to do it better, faster, cleaner, etc. Truly, I get it. But also, give clear instructions on how other people can help. My husband wants to help (most of the time), and with clear instructions for my vision, he does great. When I keep everything bottled up in inside and expect him to “just know”, things start to go downhill.
And kids can help too! (okay, sometimes that’s really less helpful than not involving them), but I think the premise of them knowing that in a family, everyone needs to help, is a good one. Have them help place stamps on cards, decorate the house or other small things. They’ll be happy to be involved!
4. Final Thoughts
Make sure that the holidays are enjoyable and magical for you too. What brings you joy? Do those things! For me, I love a warm holiday drink, curled up with a good book and a burning candle that crackles like a fireplace. Sometimes, it’s truly the small things that can make a big difference.
What ways have you been savoring the holidays with kids?
