The holiday season can be hectic with all of the holiday prep, shopping, and cooking. But it doesn’t have to be! By involving your kids in the holiday preparation, you are not only getting some helping hands, but you’re also teaching them important life lessons and creating a positive and memorable experience for the whole family to cherish. So, get them involved and watch the excitement and joy in their eyes as they help make the holiday season truly special.
Why Holiday Preparation Should Include Your Children
Holiday preparation should absolutely include your kids! Not only does it teach them important life skills and responsibility, but it also creates a sense of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming holiday. Involving your kids in the planning and preparation process allows them to feel like an important part of the family, giving them a sense of ownership over the holiday experience. It’s a great opportunity to teach them the value of teamwork and collaboration, as well as the importance of contributing to the family unit.
Plus, including them in the decision-making process can help them develop their decision-making skills and creativity. Let’s not forget the quality bonding time and fun memories that will be created along the way.
Creating a Family Holiday Prep Checklist
Photo: Chris Benson
Enjoy stress-free holiday planning by creating a step-by-step holiday or Christmas to-do list of everything you need to complete before the big day arrives. From decorating to gift wrapping to baking and serving the community, having a checklist will help you stay on top of all the details. Get the kids involved, too; have them help where they can, and even have them contribute to the checklist by adding their own must-dos or holiday requests. By working together to create this checklist, you’ll not only ensure that nothing gets forgotten, but you’ll also build up that holiday spirit and create a sense of unity as a family.
Choosing a Theme
When it comes to choosing a holiday theme for the home, there are so many options to consider. As a family, brainstorm ideas for themes. Here are some great ideas to get you started:
Traditional
A red and green color scheme with plenty of evergreen garlands, twinkling lights, and classic ornaments.
Modern
Neural color palette and simple, geometric decorations.
Minimalist
Less is more with this theme! You may even opt for a Charlie Brown tree.
Winter Wonderland
White and silver accents with plenty of snowflakes and snowmen.
Rustic
Cozy cabin vibe with plaid patterns and woodsy elements.
Character-themed
Decorate the Christmas tree with cartoon characters, whether classic (e.g., Rudolph) or trending (e.g., Disney characters).
The key is to choose a theme that reflects your family’s personal style and brings everyone joy. Whether you prefer a glamorous and glitzy look or a more natural and understated feel, there are endless opportunities to make your home merry and bright during the holiday season. No matter which theme you choose, the most important thing is to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that will make your loved ones feel the magic of the season.
Decorating the Home
Let’s turn the task of hanging up lights, putting up the tree, decorating the Christmas mantel, and arranging decorations into a fun and bonding experience for the whole family. Not only will it lighten your workload, but it will also instill a sense of pride and accomplishment in your children as they see their own handiwork on display. By having them hang up Christmas decorations, you are teaching them important life skills such as creativity, responsibility, and teamwork.
Plus, seeing their eyes light up as they contribute to making the home festive and bright is an experience you’ll cherish for years to come. So, give them tasks like stringing popcorn or arranging ornaments, and watch as their enthusiasm and imagination take over.
Gift Wrapping
The holiday season is all about giving, and what better way to involve your kids in the spirit of giving than by having them help wrap gifts? Not only does gift wrapping teach them the importance of showing appreciation and thoughtfulness, but it also provides a great opportunity for them to get creative and have fun. Encourage your little ones to pick out their favorite holiday-themed wrapping paper and adornments, and guide them through the process of measuring, cutting, and taping.
This activity can also help strengthen the bond between you and your kids, creating special memories that will last a lifetime. So, grab the scissors, tape, and a pile of presents, and let the wrapping of Christmas gifts begin!
Baking and Cooking
Baking and cooking with kids for the holidays can be a fun and rewarding experience for both the children and adults involved. From decorating cookies to making traditional holiday dishes or cozy hot chocolate, involving kids in the kitchen may sometimes feel hectic. Still, you know fun memories are being made! Kids can enjoy some friendly competition with each other by decorating the best cookie or building the best gingerbread house.
It’s also a chance for kids to learn about different ingredients, measurements, and cooking techniques in a hands-on and enjoyable way. Overall, involving children in holiday cooking and baking can be a truly rewarding experience for the whole family.
Filling out Holiday Cards
The anticipation and excitement in their eyes as they carefully write their own names or draw little pictures on each Christmas card is heartwarming. As they carefully inscribe their messages, whether silly or sweet, they’re learning the importance of reaching out and connecting with others during the holiday season.
Whether the cards are for family members, friends, or even strangers, the act of sending cards in the mail teaches children about the joy of giving and spreading love during this special time of year. As we sit together, surrounded by festive decorations and holiday music, the act of filling out Christmas cards becomes more than just a task—it becomes a meaningful tradition that brings everyone closer together.
Serving the Community
Consider serving the community in some way with your children around the holidays. There are a multitude of benefits, including:
- Teaches children the value of giving back and helping those in need
- Fosters a sense of empathy and compassion
- Develops skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving
- Encourages a sense of gratitude
- Boosts self-esteem and confidence
- Strengthens family bonds
- Teaches children the importance of making a positive impact on the world
Overall, serving the community during the holidays with kids not only benefits those in need but also provides valuable lessons and experiences that can shape children into compassionate and socially responsible individuals.
Prioritize Quality Time
With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of the holidays. That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize quality time with our kids during the holiday season. Whether it’s through fun activities, meaningful conversations, or just cozying up with a good book, these moments are the ones that our children will cherish for a lifetime.
By making an intentional decision to prioritize our children’s happiness and well-being, we are not only strengthening our relationship with them but also setting a positive example for the kind of parent we strive to be. The last thing you want is a whole holiday season passed without spending true quality time together. Quality time is the true holiday gift!
Conclusion
As you prepare for your Christmas or holiday party, create a countdown on the calendar to make the season even more exciting. When you plan your Christmas or holiday to-do list and start early on your holiday shopping with your kids, it becomes a less stressful season. Holiday preparation is key! With that in mind, let’s make this a memorable holiday filled with love, laughter, and joyful moments with our precious little ones.
Rebecca Tillsman is a content creator who specializes in holiday preparation. While she loves hiking, reading, and hanging out with her family, she spends most of her time researching new homemaking trends.
Limiting screen seems to be a hard task sometimes. Even our toddler seems very attached to “devices” and we limit her exposure as much as possible. We just try to get her outside so she doesn’t think about it. But, during the winter months it can be a tough balance! I think we will add a movie night to our calendar soon!
Christmas has been so magical with our 2 year old this year! She has loved absolutely everything about it – most importantly the Christmas lights and our tree! One of her favorite things has also been the felt Christmas tree we hang on our refrigerator and while I’m making dinner she can decorate it over and over with the Velcro ornaments!
DIY Ornaments! I never considered allowing my little man to choose things to include in a clear ornament! I am totally incorporating this into our traditions for next year❤️
Aw, I love these ideas! This is our babe’s 2nd Christmas so she’s at a perfect age to start understanding some family traditions.
We love our having our kids “help” us wrap! We also have been doing a nightly advent calendar that has really helped them (I think) grasp when Christmas is. 25 days is a long time for a kid!
We love including the kids in the kitchen and decorating of the house – even at young ages they can enjoy the time spent and learn so much! Last night we painted ornaments and we can’t wait to finish decorating them.
I like having my oldest pick out gifts for others. It takes the focus off what he’s going to get and on giving back too.
Perfect timing! We have already made lots of paper snowflakes but we were wanting to make a few more things. I love the reindeer idea! Definitely going to check out all of this stuff.