My son was all grins while we decorated the tree.
For many of us, we can’t wait for the holiday season to get here. Then it arrives and the the hustle and bustle begins – from Thanksgiving to New Years – and before we know it, the season is over. Last night we decorated the tree and it was the first year my son was really interested in the whole idea! It was magical to see him get so excited about each and every ornament. It was reminder to me that the little things about holidays can be the most meaningful.
My daughter decorates for the first time. Well tries to, those hooks are tricky – especially for chubby little fingers.Ā
Baking, decorating, family events – how to do you slow down, step back and truly find joy in the season? What’s your favorite part? I know I personally struggle with the busy days and long holiday to do lists, so this is something I’m always working on.
Here are a couple things we like to do, or will be doing this year:
- We like packing the kids up in the car in their pajamas, with their favorite snacks and driving around to look at Christmas lights. No TV, no internet, no distractions, just holiday music on the radio and lots of excitement from the back seat!
- My son is inviting his friends over for a cookie decorating play date next week. We’ll make sugar cookies ahead of time and then the kids will decorate their cookies and bring them home. (Winco had great prices on sprinkles! But I’m getting creative with toppings to save on costs.)
Now your turn? What are some of your favorite holiday traditions that encourage you to slow down and enjoy yourself?
p.s. I’m working on putting together the Holiday Favorites recipe download – full of reader’s recipes and traditions – hope to have it ready for you this weekend. Until then, if you need some recipe inspiration you can check out the featured recipes here.
Danielle says
I have my kiddos (girl-4 and boy-5) help me with all the baking. Did most of my shopping black Friday. I know that is whole lot of hustle and bustle but it’s only one day AND I save a ton of $$$. We make most other gifts for people during the year like canning jam and what not. Otherwise like one other poster said, we sip cocoa and listen to the Christmas music. We got our tree from a farm this year. Not to many people and we really get to take our time to choose the ‘perfect’ tree. The kiddos went nuts decorating it and it was a blast for all of us. We have been watching lots of seasonal movies and try to catch the Christmas specials on TV when they are on. It makes it special for the kids. Also hunting for fallen branches w/them to make wreaths and swag was especially fun. Love this time of year and the unseasonably nice weather we have had makes it fun too.
Sarah says
We have similar ways of having fun… the kids were crazy about decorating the tree this year (son 7 and daughter 2). We also did a few christmas crafts this last weekend that was enjoyable. Very simple things, but fun. Baking will be this weekend- a little more messy š We live in Albany OR where they do a free “Christmas Storybook Land” that we go to every year, and then drive around and look at lights afterward. The biggest thing I’ve done to cut out the hustle and bustle is just stay home. I’d say at least 90% of my gifts were shipped from Amazon, we choose not to attend the various Christmas parties we’re invited to (babysitters cost money, and family time is hard to come by!) and I try to do all of the planning and shopping outside the home I have to while my kids are sleeping (with dad at home) or while at least my son is at school. Playing games, doing crafts, and enjoying the seasonal music and movies while sipping cocoa is what we enjoy the most!