How to Have Happier Holidays!

Holidays can be a time of family togetherness, a break in the routine of daily life and a celebration of special moments and events.  Sometimes the stress of meeting expectations, the added work of preparation and the arrival of relatives and friends can lessen our appreciation for these events. 

Children, especially those who struggle with change, will benefit from advance information about what will happen during the holiday.  Reading books about the history of the event, telling stories from your childhood, and involving everyone in the preparation will reduce some of the apprehension and worry.  

Focusing on the real message of the holiday instead of special meals and gifts will give everyone a joyful outlook.  Play music and sing while doing the tasks around the house.  Take pictures of the cleaning, cooking and shopping and make a collage of them to show all the family how joyful this time can be. 

In my home there is a permanent picture wall with photos of family members, friends and special times.  A frame above says:  We Are Thankful.  It started as a Thanksgiving reminder for our lives and now is a part of everyday.  Create your own traditions!

In our beautifully diverse culture here in Houston we are fortunate to have a wide array of holidays and events which provide a rich source of knowledge for our children.  It can be difficult with all of the media and retail focus on Christmas.  If your family does not celebrate this holiday perhaps focusing on the winter aspects of this time would work.  There are ice skating rinks, snow events where children can build a snowman, and lots of festive lights.  The library has many books about winter.  One I especially love is "The Mitten" by Jan Brett.  It is the story of animals who take refuge from a snow storm in a lost mitten.  Her web site has a print out of masks of all the animals and a question game to play. 

http://www.janbrett.com/mitten_masks_main.htm

She has written many charming books for young children. 

A friend makes treats with her children and delivers them to neighbors and friends who celebrate Christmas.  They try to make the treats with spices and recipes from their culture and include the recipe and the history of the food in the gift.  

If we explore ways to lessen the commercial aspects of the holidays, focus on our family history and culture and remember that sharing and giving cross all cultures and borders, we will help our children to truly celebrate these special times.

I wish you a joyful winter holiday!   Maybe making s'mores over a campfire!