When my children were younger Christmas was such fun because they were always excited. They would write Santa Claus letters and talk about all the things they wanted. We would take them to different places where Santa would be and their little faces would light up. It seemed like everything they saw on TV they wanted so Santa received plenty of letters, including some asking for gifts the day before Christmas.
One of our favorite things to do is a tradition my mom started with me and my siblings. Every year during the Christmas holiday I take my children to see the lights at the park. It’s not the same park my mom took us to, but it provides the same nostalgia. Every year my children look forward to going. It’s one of my favorite things to do with them and I hope it continues well into their forties.
Especially since they have outgrown Santa.
Now my children now tell me what they want each year with high expectations of getting it. Why? Because basically they did the same thing when they were smaller and believed it was Santa getting the gifts.
Just recently I asked my daughter what she wanted this year. After she told me I said, “Well, what makes you think I’m getting it?” Her response was because she always got what she wanted for Christmas.
We’re at the point now where on Christmas Day when they open gifts they sometimes have no kind of excitement and give me a dry thank you. They’re older so they really don’t want to hang around us parents either. Therefore, after opening gifts they’re usually back in their room doing what they do best…playing a video game or texting on their phone.
Last year we started a new tradition…one to help bring back some excitement back into Christmas. While on break we take them out of town. My children look forward to knowing where we’re going and what they will be able to do. Usually, our trips are somewhere they can get in some water because our son with special needs loves the water.
Spending Christmas with them has become exciting again for all of us. The most important part about Christmas, spending time with family, has become the moments we will always remember.
