In my house Christmas has always been about the presents. I’m not proud of that, but it’s the truth. As the kids have gotten older and their wants more expensive, it’s been harder and harder to make the underneath part of the tree look full of gifts. This year, more than any other, it won’t be. When you’ve made the holiday about what you’re getting, and you’re suddenly not getting much, it can be a bit of a let down.
I still want Christmas to be a fun day so have come up with a few ideas that will make some great memories and stretch the fun out a bit longer. For more ideas visit Tip Junkie’s “Talk to me Tuesday” which is all about making Christmas more meaningful.
Birthday present for Jesus
First, I must confess that I haven’t been good at making the real meaning of Christmas obvious to my kids. I wasn’t always into that, but even when I was I couldn’t think of a way to incorporate it in a way that was meaningful. I understand the point of the “Birthday Cake for Jesus” but really, all it ever meant to me was that we got cake AND presents on Christmas.
This year my church did a series on “Simple Christmas” all about making Christmas simple, meaningful, less about stuff. They posted several ideas but this one’s my favorite:
“The first present under the tree is a present for Jesus – it is a shoebox with a slit in the top. Years ago we had a discussion with the kids . . . what would Jesus want for his birthday? We decided that He would want us to show God’s love to other people. So, each night we discuss who and how we showed God’s love today and we write down our “gift” to Jesus and put them in the box. On Christmas morning or sometimes Christmas Eve, we read them and marvel at all the good we were able to do – all the ‘gifts’ we gave to Jesus for His birthday. The kids get quite motivated to show God’s love and start their day brainstorming ideas. It is a blast. We’ve kept some of our entries over the years, too – fun to see what the kids did and what we adults did!”
My kids are too old now and would just roll their eyes at me if I tried to do this, but if you start when your kids are younger I’ll bet it’ll be a tradition that will last even when they’re big and mouthy like mine.
HIDE A PICKLE
I don’t know where this started. Some say Germany, some say not. I say “Who cares?” In my family, my mom and my sisters started this a few years ago. What you do is buy a pickle ornament like this:
I know, it’s ugly. It’s a pickle, what do you expect? On Christmas Eve, when the kids are in bed, hide the pickle way back in the tree where it’ll be hard to find. The first kid to find the pickle gets… an extra present, a special treat, to open the first present, bragging rights, whatever you want. It’s a fun, weird Christmas tradition and it’ll give the kids something to do besides open presents.
MAKE YOUR COOKIES ON CHRISTMAS DAY
I usually intend to make cookies for our neighbors before Christmas. I buy the ingredients, special containers and a few cookie cutters. But, almost every year Christmas Day comes and I’ve made a grand total of ZERO cookies.
This year we’re going to make cookies together, on Christmas Day and deliver them to our neighbors. It will give us something to do as a family, it’ll be fun, (I hope) and will get us focused on doing something for our neighbors instead of being focused on what we got for Christmas. I’m really looking forward to it.
PLAY A NEW GAME
It’s so hard for me to find ways to spend time with my kids. We’ve got gaming systems, computers, Tivo, texting… I love technology but it doesn’t do much to bring us together.
One thing that I’ve found that gets us together and talking to each other is a good game. I’m not talking about video games here, I’m talking about board games, card games. You know, the kind that you play on a table, that don’t require electricity or a tv? This year I encourage you to give a new game or two to your family. Play it on Christmas day and then see if you can schedule a family game night every once in a while. We want to do this every month but are lucky if we manage it twice a year. Twice a year is better than never though. Here are some that my family enjoys and two that I’m getting this year.
Three Thirteen – my husband has been playing this with his grandparents since he was a little kid. Now my kids play it.
10,000 We play with the large craps dice from the casinos.
They’re bigger and fun to play with. And yes, I do know that dice is not plural, I just don’t care.
Apples to Apples – I would suggest the Jr. edition, even if you’re kids are older. My daughter is 14 and doesn’t always know the people or things on the cards. It’s the same game, just simpler subjects.
Pit – this game is fun, fast and loud
Would You Rather – This is new for us this year. It looks like a lot of fun though.
Mexican Train – this is a favorite.
The Great Dalmuti – This is another one I’m buying this year based on reviews. I can’t wait to be the Great Dalmuti so I can wear a crown and boss around the Greater Peon…
What fun things are you doing this Christmas?
(for more ideas check out Tip Junkie’s Mr. Linkey post about this.)
