Creating Holiday Memories
As I sat with my children at church last Sunday, I was contemplating how fast time had moved. My children are growing so fast, and getting so big. I then began to think the upcoming holidays and all the amazing memories we had created so far. My son, Joey, at 3 (now he’s 16) singing his favorite Christmas carol, which he insisted was “Joey to the World.” My daughters adding their tiny fingerprints to an ornament for their grandmother. Their faces every time they saw what was left under the three.
The holidays aren’t about getting that deal, and shopping until our feet and bank accounts cry. It’s about creating holiday memories with our children. Ones that we can look back upon and smile, and ones we can share with their children.
Here are a few ways to make a memorable holiday season
Give
We always say to our children that it is better to give than to receive. Sometimes they really need to see those words in action. Participate in a holiday food, clothing or toy donation. Let you child pick a name from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. My kids were so amazed that some children wanted shoes or a new jacket, and not a toy. It really made them think about all the blessings in their lives.
Look at lights
Bundle up the kids and take a ride to look at the light displays. Many local newspapers put together lists of holiday light displays around town. To keep the bigger kids interested, create a scavenger hunt (there are several available on Pinterest) of decorations to look for. We usually hit the convenience store for hot cocoa before we head out. My husband puts on Christmas music and we sing along. I just love watching my children’s eyes light up when they see an amazing display.
Bake
My kids just love helping me bake. Make a yummy plate of sugar cookies and let your children help you decorate. Wrap them up and give them to neighbors and teachers. Even the toddler can help decorate, although more frosting will be on their face and hands than on their cookie.
Movie
Grab a mug of cocoa and sit down and watch a movie together. I have the best memories with my parents watching movies all snuggled together on the couch. Sometimes, finding a movie can be quite a trial, especially a movie that the whole family can watch together.
My favorite family holiday movie is Elf! 馃榾
I love anything by Disney! Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorites, and of course my daughter likes Frozen! I know; no surprise there.
Our favorite family movie is Nemo!
My fave family movie is A Christmas Story
Our fave family movie (one of them) is The Emperor’s New Groove.
My boys’ current favorite movie is Mr. Peabody and Sherman. They love all the Christmas cartoons right now.
Charlie Brown Christmas is our favorite family movie.
Love my Apple products. I had no idea that Apple had this, sounds great!
We like to go for drives and look at all the beautiful lights. We also like to watch Holiday movies.
I love to take him to experience all the holiday decorations and lights around town. I also love to share holiday cartoons & movies with him as well.
Feeln looks like a great network. I love that they have a nice mix of new and old school shows on there.
We love to look at the Christmas lights every year. And the bigger and flashier, the better. It’s all about fun, isn’t it?
There’s some really great content on Feeln! The price is great, too. Love it.
We always spend a weekend baking cookie and treats. On Christmas day we all enjoy the Doctor Who marathon on TV.
On Christmas Eve we drive around and look at the lights. This is a tradition since I was a little girl.
We used to take the kids out on Christmas Eve after church with some hot cocoa and drive around and see the lights! It’s magical!
I always try to make amazing holiday memories. They stick with the whole family once the kids are grown up and out on their own with their own families.
What a relief Feeln would be. It’s so had to find quality family programming.
I bet the song “Joey to the World” was the best song ever! We love movie time together. Unfortunately where we live we are not able to get an internet connection that is good enough to stream media. Hopefully soon.
There really is so many reasons I love this time of year. I like watching Elf with my kids, going to see lights, and making cookies.
Nothing is more fun than baking cookies with the entire family!
I have never heard of Feelin but think it sounds great. I love holiday traditions and passing them onto my kids
We have so many favorite family movies, most of which being animated. Recently we just LOVED Big Hero 6!
My kids just asked if we will get to see the lights again this year… definitely something they look forward to and so much better than just spending a bunch of money!
great points, we do all those things! We especially love cuddling up on a cold winters night and watching Christmas movies!
It’s so much fun creating new holiday traditions! Baking is definitely an annual tradition in our home.
Looking at lights is always so much fun, I remember doing that as a kid with my family! If I ever have kids I will for sure carry that tradition on!
This is an awesome family-friendly service- something we need more of these days. We love the Croods, the Super Buddies movies, and the classic Disney movies. I am going to check out Feel’n for our family!
Lights are our big tradition. I am sad every time I realize it’s another year passing by!
My, Rainbow Brite sure looks different, lol. I’ll have to look into this. Especially at only $3.99 a month.
We do all of those things. We just looked at some lights last weekend and it was so much fun to watch my boys faces light up!
our favorite movie as a family has to be croods. I love that movie and so do the grandbabies.
I agree 100% – time does fly. One day you have a baby in your arms and the next your child is half grown. I like your list of ways to make memories. One of my favorites is looking at Christmas lights.