Savoring the Christmas Spirit
Can I hear “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” playing in the background? I live in Florida, so it may not look very much like the Christmas you’re used to seeing. No snow, no mistletoe, just a temperature drop of like 10 degrees. What does Christmas look like where you live? Let me know in the comments!
This time of year is hectic for all of us. It can be so easy to get caught up in the busyness of travel, buying gifts, going to family events… the list goes on and on. On top of all that we have to make sure our kids are caught up on their schoolwork before the holidays!! In what is supposed to be a relaxing time of year it can easily become hectic and stressful. This year I encourage you to take a step back, relax, and just enjoy time with family. It’s amazing how just a little family time draws you closer together spiritually. I’d like to share some ideas for taking a break from the stress and and spending some family time together this holiday season.
Read Christmas Stories Together
Find some books on your shelves or at your local library with a Christmas theme and enjoy some family time reading them aloud together. Let older kids help with the reading (hey, you have to sneak in some reading practice!). These can be short books read in one day or chapter books read over several days.
Act Out the Christmas Story
Read the Christmas story together from the Bible, then let the kids (and parents!) act it out together. Be creative and even get pets involved. Use sheets and towels for clothing.
Enjoy Some Festive Foods and Drinks
Does your family have some favorite foods or drinks you like to have during the Christmas season? Enjoy preparing them together and then of course eating and drinking them as a family.
Drive Around and Look at Lights
This is a favorite pastime for our family. We take at least one evening every year driving around to some neighborhoods and finding interesting light displays. Take along some hot cocoa or apple cider to enjoy as you drive (in a thermos to avoid spills!).
Your kids will look back at some of these times when you didn’t even spend much money as some of their best memories! I know it sometimes feels like you have to spend a lot to have fun, but I’ve found that the simple things are what mean the most. And you can’t put a price tag on love.
I hope you have a very merry Christmas. May your days be cheery and bright, and whether your Christmas is white or not, I hope you are able to spend some quality time with family!