With the holidays upon us, many thoughts go through my mind about how to keep calm and enjoy the time with my family. Every year is filled with lots of excitement and you want to remember all the memories. The following tips are ways to have a fresh and festive holiday season.
1. Plan ahead. There are so many great activities to do with the kids that if you wait until the last minute to shop, you might miss out or begin to feel overwhelmed. Better yet, buy online. So many businesses also offer free shipping if you shop early so this is a plus too. This way, you are left with the time to enjoy the season.
2. Bundle the kids up and take them out. My mother always says the fresh air is good for you. A trip to see the tree, the lights at the Bronx Zoo, or the trains at the NY Botanical Gardens are all fun ways to explore the city during this festive season.
3. The week before you decorate, go through a “winter cleaning”. The girls help by making decisions about what toys stay and what toys will be donated to make way for new items that Santa might bring. I think this is something important for them to know that others might need help during the holiday season.
4. When I go to the basement to take out all the decorations, I also have a container of holiday themed flannel sheets, towels, and tablecloths. Since they have been away in a box all year, I throw them in the wash to freshen them up before using them for a new season.
5. Decorate early to get into the holiday spirit. Let the little ones help too. I have a box of unbreakable ornaments that the girls put all over the bottom of the tree. I also have a large collection of holiday stuffed animals that they enjoying placing all over the house. While we are in the decorating mood, I love to light a holiday scented candle. The cinnamon and evergreen aromas really bring the holiday spirit.
6. We love to bake cookies together and give to our friends and neighbors. Although the cookie gun butter cookies are a tradition and favorite, we try to make some new recipes too. I love coming into the house and smelling the treats baking in the oven.
7. Invigorate all the senses and sing songs together. Whether it is a holiday tune they learned in school or a classic we all love, it puts everyone in a good mood to sing and laugh together.
8. Although we do not have a real tree, I do enjoy going with the girls to picks up some real wreaths to decorate with outside the house. My favorite is the one placed on the front door. When you open the screen, the inviting pine scent is waiting for you.
9. Should a snow day come early, let the child in you come alive and enjoy it. I live the crisp air freshness so I usually open all the windows for about five minutes to let the fresh air in.
10. When the snowman has been built and cheeks are cool and rosy, it is time to come back in and enjoy some hot chocolate. Add some marshmallows and peppermint, yummmmm.
11. Before attending any holiday festivities, take some pictures while they are clean and pretty.
12. A tradition that my mom had started with us was getting new Christmas pajamas. Always a great photo opp on Chrismas Eve while you are getting cookies and carrots ready for Santa and the reindeer.
14. My final tip for this holiday season is enjoy the ride. There will be times where it will feel overwhelming and at the happiest time of the year, there will be moments that don’t go just right. Take a deep breath and enjoy the ride!
These fourteen tips are meant to remind us of all the good that is about to come with the new holiday season upon us. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy, fresh and festive holiday season!
