"Family" as a Family Value
Have you considered "Family" a family value?
Let's think of ways we can promote the idea of family within our own family:
Let's think of ways we can promote the idea of family within our own family:
- Buy a family gift for your immediate family. Board games and family vacation packages promote the togetherness your family needs.
- Traditions are important to families. I bought a krumkake press a few years ago, so my girls can have a family tradition related to their heritage. I plan to break out my mom's mom's recipe for pfeffernusse. This link shows a picture that most closely resemble my grandma's pfeffernusse. That will connect them to their German side and my grandma, who they never met. You can also decorate the tree together (provided you don't yell at them) or make a gingerbread house. Lots of stores have handy little gingerbread kits for houses, trains, and the Nativity.
- Be active together. In the winter, shoveling snow, walking, and making snowmen is lots of fun! Try snow forts and snow sculpture. You can use icicles to make unicorns and spray bottles with colored water for added effect.
- Host a Happy Birthday Jesus party. We used to do this in our house to kick off Christmas Eve festivities. We bought a small cake, lit candles, and sang to Jesus. Simple. We didn't do it last year, for the first time, because we felt like we were wasting cake. I have to come up with something new for this year, because I think it's a neat tradition even with older kids.
- Plan for downtime. Do you run yourselves ragged every Christmas season? Is it all about packing your schedule full of things to do? Then, be sure to plan a getaway of some kind. Can you go to a hotel for a few days and relax by the pool? Better yet, go to the Bahamas. (yeah, it's out of my league, too, but I like the idea!) Maybe go to a movie together, or plan a movie marathon day at home. The days after Christmas can be a time where you all sit around and relax. Help each other enjoy the time.
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