Making Memories During the Holiday Season
Making memories with my children is one of my favorite things about being a mother. I love seeing the faces of my three boys as they enjoy family fun with loud, boisterous laughter. With the holiday season now upon us, it is my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving, Christmas and my birthday all fall in the last 45 days for the year! FUN!
As we move into this busy season, it is easy to move from one thing to the next quickly. In the past, I have found myself at the end of it all wondering where the time went. I’ve sat by myself at the end of the holiday season kicking myself for just being on the go so much that I didn’t really enjoy it the way that I should have. Last year, I told myself that I wasn’t going to do that again. Since then, I have taken steps to be more intentional enjoying each day…and my family. I want my family to look back and savor the memories that we made - not regret how we allowed the busyness of the season to take over our lives. Share on X
This year, I decided to implement three things to make sure that my family is able to enjoy time spent with each other.
1.) I’m not going to over-schedule myself. I recognize this can be much easier said than done. After all, there are Christmas parties at work or school. There are Christmas programs at church, homeschool coop, clubs, Scouts, moms groups, birthday parties, anniversary dinners and so much more. It just wouldn’t feel right not attending. Often we commit to so many different things because we don’t want to miss all of the GREAT things that are happening. We also don’t want to feel like we are letting anyone down. But what happens during this time? We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everything that is happening around us that we don’t get to enjoy time with those who are most important to us. We don’t get the chance to make precious memories with our own family because we are exhausted. Isn’t that what it is all about? I decided to do something different. I’m intentionally going to savor those precious moments with my family and enjoy the memories that are being made. I can’t get those moments back. I am going to send well wishes or catch up with someone later to talk about any events that I will miss. It may not be the same but my presence with my family will speak volumes to them and mean so much to me….and so will yours.
2) Make fun memories! This is one of my favorite things to do with my family each year. As the holiday season gets underway, I love following traditions and creating new memories. As we get closer to Christmas, we shorten our homeschool days a bit and even incorporate more pajama days. Christmas morning is always “new” pajama and movie day. Everyone chooses a movie — A Charlie Brown Christmas always wins for the classic category. But we also pull out favorites like White Christmas, Finding Nemo and a host of others. We enjoy popcorn, sweet treats and just enjoy each other all day long. It is such a sweet time.
This year, I am excited about introducing a new Advent activity to our children that is sure to create more fun memories while we homeschool. It’s called Shepherd on the Search and was just launched by Dayspring. The Shepherd on the Search is a beautiful activity that they entire family can enjoy. As I hide the shepherd each night, my boys will set off looking for it each morning. This will afford me the opportunity to share the story of Jesus again with them. It’s a fantastic activity that builds in intensity as the days get closer to Christmas. It’s also a wonderful supplement to our Bible study time during our homeschool day.
3) I am going to allow saying no to make me joyful. Wait – what? Stay with me for a moment friend. Yes, during the busiest time of the year, I have decided that I am going to say “no” more and still have joy doing it. By saying no, it is going to allow me to make spending time with the people who I love the most in my life a priority. It’s going to allow me to enjoy the time that I get to spend with my husband. Last summer, he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. He spent months in an aggressive treatment plan and last Christmas, he was not himself. He was feeling very tired and not feeling well. While we were very thankful that he was able to be home, this Christmas will be even more special because he is healthy again.
Saying no is going to allow me to enjoy spending time with my oldest son this holiday season. He’s a senior in high school and this will be his last Christmas at home. After graduation, he will be going on to college. I don’t want to miss that…for anything. I will get to see the faces of my youngest sons light up when they see their favorite Christmas movies and enjoy their snacks. Having a heart of gratitude and choosing joy helps me to remember what the true meaning of the season is all about. All those little things I find joy in add up. “The LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy!” (Psalm 126:3). Choosing joy helps me to to count my blessings and focus on the eternal rather than the busyness around me. What a lesson it will instill in my children as well as we all choose joy, enjoy the time we have together and just have fun. It reinforces our family values of God first and family second while allowing God to do something amazing in each of our hearts one day at a time.
It is my heart's desire to see women walk in their true power and authority in Jesus Christ. I get the honor of walking that out in my writing, speaking and everyday life.
With a cold latte in hand and my latest read under my arm, I'm usually seen going over math facts, checking out a new STEM project and studying God's Word. In my spare time, you will catch me spending time with family and friends, at live music festivals and on the hunt for a new favorite dessert.
www.angelpenn.com
- Parents, You Can Trust God with Your Adult Children - July 25, 2018
- 6 Faith-Filled and Fun Family Ideas For The Summer - June 29, 2018
- Self Care for the Wife Who’s Marriage has been Rocked - June 23, 2018
these are two great advice I am working on the first one because my kids are growing now my 22 months old is starting to notice and make her own memories. thanks for sharing.
Love this post! Tweeted this as well 😁
Thank you so much!
This is such great wisdom! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas on how to make wonderful memories this holiday season on the #LMMLinkup this past week. It has inspired me to put Christ and family first too.
Agree with you 100% on this post, Angel! Saying no, goes right along with not overbooking. The more you can say no to, the less overwhelmed and busy you will be! And we also love following traditions and creating new memories!
SO very true Denise! Overbooking happens so much during the holiday season. But I feel like we have to be honest with ourselves. We can’t do everything.But more importantly, we have to get to the point where we don’t feel like we are missing out. The fear of missing out drives a calendar and lifestyle that we just can’t keep up with. We end up getting burned out….and it’s not worth. When that happens, we end up not enjoying the holiday season.
A friend called it saying “the sacred no” for our peace of mind and the glory of God! Great post!
What a beautiful message about a beautiful season. Visiting you today from Holley Gerth’s link up. laurensparks.net
Beautiful post, Angel! Such great reminders of how we can be intentionally present with our families during this Christmas season!
Thank you so much Naomi! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
These 3 things can be helpful to all of us moms. I know the feeling of looking back and wishing I had enjoyed it more, I said I didn’t want to repeat that again this year. It’s so hard to slow down when you have kids, household and other demands.
Yes it is Julie! This year I have done a lot better. In years past, I was consumed with the busyness of the holidays and missed out on a lot.
Love this! I am all about intentionally making memories with the children. I host a weekly Linkup and would love for you to join us!
SO glad that you enjoyed it Roberta! I will have to check out your Linkup. Thanks for inviting me!
Just being around this year as more of a stay at home mom has provided those little private moments of conversation with my boys. That and dirt bikes! As we move more and more into the screen age years we wanted something to grab the boys attention that they would beg to do as a family. Anything with a motor catches their attention. Just being with them catches mine. What a great gift children are- I love being the one to make memories with them.
You are so right Tanya! It’s imperative that we connect with them early. It’s easier then…and as you said, when digital influences or whatever else may be vying for their attention, they will have already established those important relationships with us. And dirt bikes ROCK! Great job mama!
Yes, Yes Yes to “I am going to allow saying no to make me joyful!”. I had to say NO to a few things this holiday season. No to holiday parties. I needed a break from the time and money. I settled with going to three and they were not costly and were fun. Yes, it will not take my joy!
Thanks for sharing!
Charlene – https://faithtoraisenate.com
Yes!!! Isn’t it amazing how saying NO is a gift to ourselves?
I really enjoyed reading the post. I get inspired with articles like this. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it John!
I don’t like to overschedule my kids either. It’s stressful. Memories are much more important.
This was encouraging, thanks!
So glad it encouraged you! Blessings Tracy!
Making memories is so important and it will sustain your children as they grow up. You are wise to be intentional about this. I hear my children talk about times when they were little and they remember fun times playing in the snow or enjoying a board game. I had to push through some of those times when I would have rather been a couch potato but I am so glad we spent that time together. I am confident my children will lean in that direction with their own children.
BTW I noticed your birthday is during the holiday season. Can you share when it is. I am a Christmas baby and I love it.
Thank you so much for your kind words Rosemerry! I sincerely appreciate them. New Years Eve is my birthday. The entire world celebrates. :0)
Priorities are so important, it is easy to to forget what this time is really about. I love the post. I hope you have a joyous season with your family.
Thank you so much Sharon! Praying you have a blessed and joyous season as well.
Yes! I totally agree! We need to say no more and not let it affect our mood. Protecting our joy is so important, especially with our littles. Thanks for the great reminders girl.
Joy at all costs — thanks for checking out my post Forest! <3
I enjoyed every piece of this post.Thank you for sharing.
http://makychurchill.blogspot.ca
Thank you for sharing this! I am trying to follow the same this season, especially saying no, which is the hardest thing for me. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Saying no is so hard. It’s almost as if we have been conditioned not to say it because we feel like we will miss out on so much. But saying no really means saying yes to us.
Enjoyed this! Your article reminds me to not over-schedule! Thx. Yes, it’s only the memories we will have after the dust has settled. Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much Debby! I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Very lovely post. I love the idea of being present more. I’ve been thinking about that this week and striving to be more present with my children even by just sitting down with them while they are watching a movie.
Thanks so much for commenting Rosanna! Being present is what it’s all about. I know your children will love that extra time with you….and will probably recite each line of the movies for you like mine do! Enjoy friend!
Choosing joy helps me to to count my blessings and focus on the eternal rather than the busyness around me. Lets hold on to that truth throughout the month of December! Blessings to you sister!
Sue @ mamaofthreeboys.com
Yessssss Sue!!! The eternal is what matters most!
Awesome reminders for all of us this season!
So glad you enjoyed it!
My children are grown and just about grown. I love hearing from them that they enjoyed the simple traditions we had as they were growing up. The time goes so fast so you are wise to make the most of these days. Thank you for the post. It gave me a chance to reflect on some of those happy memories.
Rosemerry, you always bring such a wonderful perspective – full of wisdom and reassurance. You have always blessed me with it. Thank you so much for checking out my post! Bless you my friend.
Yes! Saying no is something I need to seriously get better at. I say yes to so many things and I need to stop! It’s causing me to overschedule myself and then I get overwhelmed like I’ve been the past week. Luckily I’m back to normal again but, ugh. Love this article girl!
Hey Jenn! Thanks so much for checking out my post!
This is something that I try to do during the holidays — well all the time really. When I get overwhelmed and realize it is because I have piled a bunch of stuff on my self, I get frustrated, tired and irritated. I didn’t want to be like that and realized that I had to say enough and make some lasting changes!
Glad this week is better for you friend!
I agree! It’s hard to say no, especially this time of year, but you will be glad later. Memories are so precious.
The time goes by so fast, doesn’t it Kathi? People used to tell me how fast it moves — especially when you ahve little ones. My oldest son just turned 18 and I feel like I blinked and here we are!