The holidays are magical. The lights, Santa, elves, feasts, parties, shopping, the hustle and bustle are all great but what I really want my children to think of when they think “Christmas” is so much more than that. I want them to feel like they are part of something so much bigger. I want them to not think selfishly about what Christmas can bring them but what they can bring to the holiday season. I want them to sense the Holiday spirit through giving, music, kindness, art, love & gathering with loved ones.
So how do you help instill this idea of the holiday spirit in your child? How do you inspire them to think more about what the season means than what Santa will shimmy down the chimney? Here are a few ways to help those sweet little minds dig deeper into the holiday spirit and what the whole season is about.
1. Ask your children to make a list of what they think Santa would like for Christmas.
My son asked me the funniest thing shortly after Thanksgiving… “What is Santa getting for Christmas?” This got me thinking. I asked him what he thought Santa wants or needs and this led to a pretty hysterical conversation. This immediately gets the child thinking of what the Big Man himself might need and gets those wheels turning. I got a Santa mailbox and explained this was a direct line to the North Pole and that we should send Santa a present. The kids just loved this!
2. Keep Santa Claus subtle and emphasize giving between each other as a family.
Don’t get me wrong, Santa is magical and I am all for it but I try to take a little subtlety with the whole thing. One of our friends said something to my husband and I when we were new to parenthood that really resonated with us. He said “Santa only brings a few things to our household… the greatest gifts are always from us.” We love this idea. We want our children to look forward to Santa leaving gifts under the tree Christmas morning, but we also like them to feel excitement about the gifts we give each other as a family. Shopping for each other is a great way to build up the excitement.
3. Create family holiday traditions.
Every year we like to build a gingerbread house, bake cookies, decorate our home, and we do a fun holiday photoshoot. All these things we do together as a family and the children get so excited and proud about what they have accomplished. They love turning all the Christmas lights in the house every night, getting to eat their gingerbread creation, giving the cookies we bake to friends and family when they come over, picking out the perfect greeting card to send to all our loved ones. Creating is so inspiring for children.
4. Listen to holiday music. A LOT.
Most of us are inspired by music and it is the same for children. Some of my fondest memories of the holidays when I was a kid was singing “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “Little Drummer Boy” with my mom at the top of our lungs! Holiday music is more accessible than ever and it makes my heart happy to hear my almost 2-year-old son singing along with “Hallelujah” by Pentatonix.
5. Adopt a family, patient or participate in a charity organization.
Making a difference is a HUGE thing for the kids to learn during the holiday season. Adopting a family or patient is great way to teach them about giving and what it can mean for others. You cannot put a price tag on the profound effect of giving to those who are less fortunate. Children are more likely to carry these lessons into their adult lives by experiencing helping others at a young age. Here are a few local organizations… Christmas with Epworth, Families Helping Families, and check out WIS TV for more ways to help!
6. Engage in a daily activity encouraging kindness and giving.
Personally I do not have time nor the energy for Elf on the Shelf this year but the years that I do try to engage in this daily activity I use a slightly different story line. I change the story that the Elf instead reports your good deeds and acts of kindness to Santa. Behavior in my house depends on the hour so instead we encourage acts of kindness and helping others. There are also other alternatives to Elf on the Shelf like Reindeer in Here, North Pole Ninjas, and Shepard on the Search to name a few. Encouraging your children to be kind and practice acts of kindness is something we should do constantly and not just during the holiday season!
7. Gather Together.
This is my favorite. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because there is no gift anticipation whatsoever and the whole point is to spend time together with your loved ones. Whether you enjoy “Friendsgiving”, being with your family or helping feed the hungry, gathering together is the best blessing of all. I just love being with the people I love and I hope my children feel the same way this time of year. Don’t let excuses get in the way of spending time with your people. Obviously, you have to make a living but make sure you spend that time when you are able to. It is priceless.
8. Be Kind.
Your children see everything you do or don’t do. Take the extra time to give a hug, lend a hand, give a meaningful gift, smile, pay it forward, have a quiet moment, say a prayer for someone, shed a tear, or say I love you. From love and kindness comes peace, joy and the spirit of the holiday season.
