Christmas Memories

Amidst the pomp and circumstance of the holiday season, it’s nice to ensure you really savor the meaning of Christmas and the opportunity to come together as family and friends in celebration.  Instead of rushing through, find ways to slow down and appreciate the little moments that make Christmas special.

If your Christmas tree is displaying sentimental ornaments that have a history, point them out and talk about them as a family.  Your kids might learn something new about their grandparents, you as a child, or enjoy showing off a school craft projects from the past.  Talk about the sentimental value of your Christmas dishes, China, or any recipes if they were passed down to your family.  If there is a funny story tied to a holiday memory, be sure to tell it again. 

If you don’t already have a “movie moment” tradition in your household, consider starting one.  I don’t think they’re cheesy; I think they can be sweet memories for adults and kids alike.  Drive around town Christmas Eve looking at Christmas lights and tote to-go coffee cups with hot chocolate while listening to Christmas music.  I can also remember lying on the living room floor in my pajamas as a child looking up at the Christmas tree lights.  From that angle, I just thought the tree looked so magical. 

We enjoy looking at the photos of friends and family on the Christmas cards we receive.  Take a little time Christmas Day to look them over all at once.  Being thankful for the people in your life is not relegated to Thanksgiving Day; use that moment to give thanks for the relationships that surround you all year long.  You can also punch holes in the side of each and string them together with a strand of ribbon off of a gift.  That way you have a flip book of sorts to put away with your decorations and look at again next year. 

Gather the kids together and tell the story of how Jesus was born and placed in a manger after Mary and Joseph made their way into Bethlehem.  Reflect on the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior, and make that an essential part of the Christmas history you pass down to the next generation. 

Whether you sit around with some hot apple cider and visit, start a fire in the fireplace if it happens to get cold or in the backyard for some toasted marshmallows if it doesn’t, purposefully create some Christmas moments that can carry traditions forward for your family.          

 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 23rd.