It’s coming up to that time……yes, Christmas. And there are lots of opportunities to make wonderful memories.
There will be lots to eat, family and friends to meet up with and lots to talk and laugh about. The older folk will be busy with the cooking, getting and wrapping gifts and generally trying to make it an awesome experience for everyone.
Children will be waiting (bursting) with eager anticipation to see what they will receive in terms of gifts!
The food will be eaten, gifts will be opened and drooled over, there will be lots of garbage for the bin men, and then life will return to normal.
What will be remembered? Nothing? I’m sure that is it for some. Whilst some might remember the food and perhaps their favourite gift, for some, there is just no special memory associated with Christmas. This post might just change things as I will be sharing tips with you so that you can start creating your own special memories.
Tip 1 – The more the merrier
It’s a lot more fun when the laughter is multiplied as there are more than just the usual household members. In our family, my twin sister and I take turns hosting Christmas every other year. It is a lot more fun and of course less work for each person. The kids get a chance to spend extended times with each other and really look forward to the opportunity. That is definitely one memorable thing I am sure they will remember. A word of caution: don’t over cram so that people are almost climbing over each other as this will definitely lead to arguments and that is not a memory you want to create.
Tip 2 – Have some routines
Yes. Set routines and stick to them. This also makes for pleasant memories. In our household we have a number of routines associated with Christmas that we look forward to. The adults know and so do the kids. Because of this, the eager anticipation is there and the events are etched in the memory for ever. One of our routines is the ceremonial setting up and decorating of the Christmas tree. This is a family affair. We all gather at the house where we will all spend Christmas, we enjoy lively jolly music, hot chocolate or other drink of choice and decorate until the tree is stunning. After the tree is decorated, we get the already wrapped gifts and place them under the tree to the delights of both adults and kids. (Some try to take a sneaky peek. That for them might also be awesome memories)
Tip 3 – Opening the Gifts
Here’s how we do it. The adults do try to have a little lie in. The kids want to just get at the gifts. We have agreed that breakfast must be had before, the slow roasting part of the dinner must be set on, and then we get to the gifts. We take turns opening our gifts and squeal and cheer when they are revealed. We also know that we should be grateful and so whatever is the gift, it is appreciated and thanks are said. Also, when we do get gifts from non-family members, we also put those under the tree and unwrap them on Christmas morning. Such delightful screaming.
Tip 4 – Buy yourself a Gift
The adults in our family buy ourselves a gift early on in the season. These are wrapped, placed under the tree and are unwrapped along with the others at Christmas time. I usually get mine from Amazon. You might think why buy yourself a gift. Well I can think of many reasons. The main one is that you might not get anything else that you really want, but if you buy yourself at least one gift, then you are sure to get something you really want. Most times I look forward to opening my own bought gift with eager anticipation and sometimes I am equally surprised as I did not even remember what I had purchased. That’s a pleasant Christmas memory.
Tip 5 – The smell of Christmas
There are some scents that just remind one of Christmas. These include, but are not limited to: cinnamon, pine, orange zest and Christmas cake. These are amazing scents which manufacturers have now tried to replicate in candles, scent boosters and air fresheners. I just love the smell, and if I smell them at any other time, I reminisce about Christmas.
Tip 6 – Keep creating memories
We try to introduce something new that we all look forward to every now and again. Some catch on, some don’t. You won’t know which will and which won’t so the best thing to do is to try. This year one of the traditions we are going to try is a ginger bread house competition. I know who will win that one, but just so it is fair we will all take part and then hopefully this will form one of the special memories that we will cherish forever.
Tip 7 – The Meal
That is something even the pickiest of eaters look forward to. Make it special. Go all out. Dress the table beautifully and get others to help. Get out all the fancy table ware and cutlery. Light candles. You only live once! It is hard work but it adds to the memories that will last a lifetime. We sometimes even make fancy personalised place mats for the occasion. Spare nothing. It will be worth it!
So there you have it. Seven tips for you to start your own memorable Christmas events. Feel free to let me know of some of the Christmas memories you hold dear in your family. And remember Christmas does not have to be an expensive affair. In fact read my post here about how to prepare for Christmas the frugal way.
Have an amazing, memorable Christmas.
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