Hi, Friends! We are back this week to continue our talk on the Advent season. We hope you loved our last post and have implemented devotional time into your routine for the season. As a reminder, while it feels like you are constantly running and going this time of the year, I encourage you to slow down, savor your loved ones, and make some core memories together that will last a lifetime.
One way we do this in our family is to make family memories through continued traditions. Kids crave routine and love these time-honored traditions. We have a few traditions in our home that we do every day throughout the month of December. One thing we do each day is our Advent reading as a family. You can find more on that here.
We also have a reusable Advent calendar that is adored in our home. Each day, there is a small treat, activity, or gift to enjoy. I try to plan the activities out with events we have planned, for example, one day might be baking Christmas Cookies, or Family movie night with a Christmas movie and hot chocolate to make it extra special… check back next week for our favorite homemade hot chocolate recipe! One day might be driving around in pajamas to look at all of the Christmas lights in the community. Another might be a tubby with bubbles and the bathroom is only lit by Christmas lights (we have an extremely small bathroom, but, I have to admit, it is pretty magical!). We also usually have one night where the whole family sleeps in the living room for a sleepover and has the Christmas tree lit. We always have one day to make paper snowflakes for the kitchen windows too. Simple things that kids remember. I also like to add in gifts of service for Advent-related activities. We will do things like go through old toys to donate (a great way to clean out bedrooms or playrooms before the holiday!), add books to a little free library, or make pinecone bird feeders.
Another thing we do each evening is read a Christmas book. Now, even my ten-year-old doesn’t mind the old stories he has grown up on, and will happily read a new book each night, even if it is a board book that he has heard a million times. I have friends that wrap up their Christmas books each year in leftover Christmas paper and the kids get to open one each day to read which is such a fun surprise.
Just a reminder though, if you are in a difficult season you don’t have to do everything to make the season magical for your kids. Maybe you are riddled with illness or loss and just can’t imagine doing these things this season, that’s okay! Your kids will not remember the things they received, they just want YOU. Be present with your little ones and stop feeling guilty for not being able to do “all the things”. Maybe all you can handle this time of year is reading Luke in your Bible – that is fantastic, and more than enough for the season. If you do not have a Bible, and would like one, we would be happy to send one to you. Or, if you would like specific prayer, we would be honored to pray for you. Please email us at: forgetmenotwellness@outlook.com.
Stay Well,
Tricia + Alisha
forgetmenotwellness.com 