Here's an article I compiled for The Answer, it is titled "Making Christmas Meaningful." I realize it is a little late in the game to include some of these ideas, but there is still time to make this Christmas one your family will always remember.
It is easy for busy families to get caught up in the frenzy of Christmas. Christmas brings shopping, decorating, baking, wrapping, mailing and traveling. It can become overwhelming and rob our focus from the commemoration of Christ's birth.
As we gather family and friends together, we can share meaningful traditions that keep our hearts filled with the joy of celebrating the birth of our Savior. Here are some ways families in our community make Christmas meaningful.
Keeping Christ First at Christmas
"I use an unbreakable nativity set to re-enact the Christmas story with my grandchildren. We huddle around the nativity on the floor and as I tell the story, the children add the characters to the scene. They enjoy it every year." Sue Tornai, Carmichael
"We enjoy gathering with friends and family. My husband plays the guitar and we all join in singing Christ-centered Christmas carols. Each year our children and their cousins present a nativity play for our extended family." Leslie Hansen, Sacramento
"Even our gift-giving reminds us of Christ's birth. Each of our children receives three gifts—just as the wise men brought Jesus three gifts. This helps us keep the shopping under control as well." Debbie Gonzalez, Sacramento
"Several of our friends throw "Happy Birthday Jesus" parties, celebrating with cake and ice cream. They even sing Happy Birthday to Jesus." Idamay Strysky, Mather
Making Decorating Meaningful
"Every year we purchase an ornament for our children. The ornaments are themed around their interests and activities that year. I mark the date on them and we remember the meaning of each ornament as we decorate." Doris Valdez, Sacramento
"The day after Thanksgiving I bring all our Christmas decorations into the house and I leave. I let my children decorate the tree and the inside of the house. They have a blast and I curb any desire to rearrange the ornaments. This has made decorating a lot of fun for my family. They are proud of their handiwork." Debbie Gonzalez, Sacramento
"We purchase ornaments while on family vacations. They remind us of the many happy memories we have made while traveling." Leslie Hansen, Sacramento
Creating Fun Christmas Memories
"Every year we have someone special read 'Twas the Night before Christmas to our family. The reader signs the front of the book, a reminder for years to come." Leslie Hansen, Sacramento
"We celebrate Christmas with my mother on Christmas Eve. We enjoy her stories of Christmas traditions growing up in Germany during and after World War II, in the days of live trees with lit candles. Money was to scarce to waste on wrapping paper. They would set the gifts out unwrapped under the tree." Doris Valdez, Sacramento
"I mark all my children's gifts with numbers instead of names, so no one knows which gift belongs to them. Then on Christmas morning, each child draws a number from a basket. They pick up the corresponding gifts and I tell them who to give them to. This involves all of the children in passing out the gifts and adds some fun." Debbie Gonzalez
"All of the children in our large extended family participate in a talent show. They perform songs, skits or play an instrument. It is fun to watch their talents and confidence blossom from year to year." Doris Valdez, Sacramento
Blessing Others
"We send boxes of personal items and gifts to our troops serving our country abroad. We know how precious every little item is to our service men and women." Debi Shank, Sacramento
"Every year we host an Operation Christmas Child party at our house. We invite friends to come over and put together boxes that will be shipped around the world to children in need. We enjoy a meal together and have a great time preparing the boxes." Idamay Strysky, Mather
May your Christmas season be filled with meaningful times for you and your families as you celebrate the gift of Christ, family, and friends. Merry Christmas!
I hope your Christmas is filled with Jesus' love and your family creates rich and lasting memories. I would love to hear all about it. What special touches did you add to make your Christmas meaningful?
Merry Christmas bloggy friends!
Gratefully,
Beth