The year 2016 has flown by so fast. I can’t imagine December is already here with us. Soon everyone will be hitting the malls in search for the perfect gift for a loved one. I can just imagine how many hours will be invested before one reaps the rewards; when they find not only what they have been looking for, but at a bargain price. The jackpot is hit by both the buyer and the seller, as they conclude the transaction, each parting with a sense of satisfaction.
Here are 5 tips to bring sanity and joy to the holiday season as a family.
- Planning
This is key to enjoying your holiday season. From your gift budget, where and with whom you will celebrate this holiday to what you will need for groceries. You will be amazed how the little details can easily add up if you don’t factor them in. Plan in advance to avoid the unnecessary stress of hitting the stores last minute.
2. Manage expectations
Every parent knows how discouraging it can be when you give a gift and your child is not excited about it or flat out says they wanted something else. Discuss with your children way in advance the importance of being grateful when they receive a gift. Explain that a gift is a privilege and not an entitlement, and that time, effort, love and money was spent for them to unwrap their gift. So it is not more about the gift itself as much as the gesture and thought of love from the giver. Christmas started with giving. From God himself giving us the perfect gift; his son Jesus, to the three wise men who came to see him, bearing gifts. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Explain to the children that there is more joy to the giver than to the receiver. This will encourage them to prefer being on the giving end than receiving end. They can give different things such as their time, service, kindness etc.. It will also help children appreciate more of what they receive.
3. Create a family tradition
One way of getting out of the materialistic mind set is creating a family tradition of giving as a family. You can choose a charity that closely represents your values or a family in need and decide as a family to give to them. Each member of your family could donate a little amount even out of the kids’ piggy banks and together you could either buy groceries or make a monetary donation to the less privileged. You could also decide to volunteer your time as a family to charitable organisation.
4. Enjoy the holidays as a family
The holiday season can be very stressful and very busy in that you might not get to enjoy it as a family. With receiving and being received parties and the hustle and bustle of it all. Book a day or two for you to spend quality time as a family. It could be having a brunch as a family or doing something special together. Take this opportunity to do an inventory of the year that is winding down and discuss the New Year approaching. What worked or didn’t work in this year and what each family member plans for next year and how can you support each other. It’s a time to dream out loud as a family.
5. The core of it all is love
Christmas started with Love. ‘‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son’’….John 3:16. Without love, everything we do becomes empty and just a ritual. Take time this holiday season and cultivate love in your family. A family that is bound by love can face anything and come out victorious.
Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
