Have you noticed that the Christmas holidays start earlier every year? It seems like we barely celebrate Halloween when the stores are already putting up the holiday decorations and the television is bombarded with commercials announcing the latest in clothes, home décor, and toys. Lots of toys!
When children are younger, they are immune to the seasonal commercialization and it is much simpler and easier to preserve the spirit of the season. As they grow older, it becomes more difficult to control “Santa’a list” as well as The Three Kings Day gifts.
As parents, we must take the time to steer the wants into a different direction and to preserve the spirit of what really should be celebrated during the season. For many of us is the birth of Christ. For others it is a religious festival that lasts eight days and for others is a week-long celebration of heritage and culture. But for all, it is a good time to stop and reflect on the values we are teaching our children. What a better time to share with them those values and traditions we grew up with so that they also become as important to them as they are to us! It is by these traditions that children learn to value and their culture, their religion, their customs, and the history of their families. It is also an excellent opportunity to teach children about giving to others and to appreciate everything they have.
Many families celebrate two or more traditions during this time. In my case, my children grew up celebrating the Hispanic and the Greek traditions. One of the Greek customs is to bake round bread that they call “holy bread.” Inside the bread there is a dime that is added to the batter before it is baked. According to their tradition, the person that bites into the dime will have good luck the whole year.
Here are 10 Suggestions to help you honor the season with your children.
- Share with your children those holiday traditions and customs you grew up with and make a point of celebrating them every year.
- If you have a big family, consider just buying gifts for the children only.
- Consider helping a family in need, from your church or place of worship or community center in your neighborhood.
- Read a book with a holiday message that teach children the value of giving to others.
- Consider limiting the number of gifts that Santa and The Three Kings are bringing.
- Visit an orphanage or a nursing home and bring pan dulce, cakes, sweets, maybe books and/or toys.
- Plan a random act of kindness that shows appreciation: bake cookies for the mailman, or the garbage man, the gardener, the police station in your neighborhood.
- Be a good example for your children. That relative you haven’t talked to all year, call or text or email him/her. Tis the season to forgive!
- Involve the children in the planning of Xmas Eve and Xmas Day or whatever celebration your family honors.
- If the grandparents are not able to be with you during this time, consider a Skype visit so they can enjoy the children at least for a short time.
Bai, Bai
Maritere
Related article:
https://www.serpadres.es/familia/tiempo-libre/articulo/celebrar-la-navidad-con-ninos-cada-dia-una-fiesta
