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Mindful Holiday Traditions Simple Ways to Add Meaning and Family-Centered Fun


by Barbara Amrhein T


oo many winter holidays whiz by in a blur of presents, parties and rich foods, muting the season’s true messages of love, hope and peace. By slowing down and refocusing on what makes this time of year so special, we can help our children—and our- selves—create fresh, meaningful tradi- tions and experience genuine joy. “If the spirit of the season at your home is more ‘Gimme, take me, buy me,’ instead of ‘Deck the halls,’ don’t despair,” advises internationally re- nowned educator and child expert Michele Borba, Ph.D., author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions:101 An- swers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries. “There are more subtle ways to encourage your kids to ap- preciate the greatest gifts of the holiday season. The simplest way is to focus on gifts of the heart and letting your kids be participants, not just recipients.” Try these tips for helping young- sters co-create traditions that celebrate family, friends, sharing with others and the holidays’ festive delights. Emphasize experiences, not


things. Presents can never take the place of presence. Years from now, children will rarely recall what they unwrapped, but will remember special times spent together as a family. Take a nature walk to collect pinecones and other seasonal items for holiday décor. Designate a Family Night and let the kids choose the activity, like seeing a movie or a holiday performance such as The Nutcracker, playing a favorite board game or building a gingerbread house. At dinner, ask youngsters to relate their favorite holiday memories, and then build upon their responses to plan this year’s celebrations.


36 Collier/Lee Counties swfl.naturalawakeningsmag.com


Treat cards as treasured gifts. Gather the family ‘round when opening cards from others, catching up on their news and recalling funny or enjoyable shared moments. Skype calls and vid- eos offer pleasurable immediacy while mailed cards become an appreciated, permanent memento.


Encourage children to create handmade or personalized cards for grandparents and other relatives, en- closing photos or drawings and a short note describing the reasons that person means so much to them. Hand deliver other cards to neighbors, accompanied by a plate of homemade, healthy treats. Children can also send cards to military personnel overseas via a Red Cross pro- gram at Tinyurl.com/HolidayHeroMail. Practice creative giving. Adopt a less fortunate family or child for the holidays (local churches or social ser- vice agencies can provide information)


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