10 tips for making your family Christmas special

Christmas is such a special time of year and a great opportunity for family togetherness. Making your family Christmas special is about keeping the best interest of your child or children in mind.

Following are some tips I’ve discovered over the years that have helped create fond Christmas memories and teach my children the value of giving to others.

Don’t Overwhelm With Presents

Although preschoolers are usually not old enough to demand long lists of gifts they can become overwhelmed by the sure volume of the gifts they receive. While it’s fun to watch kid’s expressions as they open their gifts, its always good to avoid giving the impression the holidays are a time of unrestrained excess.

Avoid Traps

Don’t fall into the trap of saying, “If you’re good, you’ll get this” or “If you misbehave, you won’t get that.” Avoid adding extra conditions just because it’s the holidays and there are more special things happening.

Open A Parent Store

Have your children shop at home using play money at the parent store. Pick up inexpensive gifts at yard sales e.g. 5 to 50 cent items. During the holiday season have your kids do special chores in exchange for play money. Days before Christmas set up a parent store, displaying gifts you have pre-selected for one child at a time. Kids enjoy earning and giving gifts to siblings and relatives.

Enjoy The Unwrapping

Instead of everyone ripping through their gifts in 15 minutes or less. Prolong the enjoyment by opening gifts one person at a time. You might also wish to play holiday music, take photos and enjoy some baked goods and beverages.

Give Some Gifts In Advance

When people come to visit before Christmas why not let your child open up her present right away? It is especially nice when the gift giver can delight in watching your child as she opens her gift.

Save One Last Gift

A good way of stretching things out is to save one last small gift to be opened on the evening of Christmas Day. This gives your child something else to look forward to once the main excitement of the day is over. Some gift suggestions would be a story, coloring or activity book. Or what about a puzzle or a movie to wind down the evening with.

Gift Expectations

When it comes to pre-adolescents and gifts, don’t expect mature behavior. They may open their first present and be elated but seconds later, they may be looking around to see what’s next. Be understanding. Christmas morning isn’t a time to lecture kids about gratitude.

Window Paint

Let kids paint decorations on windows using a little poster paint with a drop of liquid dishwashing detergent. Their masterpieces will easily come off after the holidays with a little window cleaner.

Snowflake Examination

Take a sheet of heavy dark construction paper or a brown bag and freeze it for a few minutes. Then when it’s snowing, run outside and let some flakes fall on the chilled paper. Once you have several, come indoors and view the flakes with a magnifying glass to see when a real snowflake looks like.

Giant Holiday Jigsaw

Start a giant jigsaw puzzle and keep it out so family members can add the odd piece or two when they have a few minutes.

Santa Footprints

On Christmas Eve, when the wee ones are sleeping, spray imitation snow around the house and make footprints to give the impression that Santa has just left.

For more holiday tips please see my recent Family Life posts.

Happy Holidays!