I’m going to put it out there that I’m not a huge fan of the holidays. I mean…I like to go see my family around these times, but who doesn’t? Especially those that live far and you don’t get to see that often. I don’t buy gifts often and when I do it’s normally just one or two for a couple people in my life. Other times it’s just as simple as a card. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not cheap but as I stated earlier I’m not a huge fan of the holidays, especially since my dad passed just before the winter holiday season started several years ago, six to be exact. Even when my dad was alive spending time with him was the best gift to me and that was often, holiday time or not.

I don’t want to rob anyone of their joy of the holiday season, but this time will definitely be different for all of us as we face the current pandemic. Many of us I know have kids that we want to bring smiles to their faces just as we have last year and years before. If you help them understand that family being together is the most precious gift of all then it may help ease everyone’s disappointment of not being able to do what they may have been able to before.

So, how do you tell a five, six, or even eleven year old child this and make them understand? I’m not really sure because I don’t have children this young but I did grow up as the kid that didn’t have a Christmas Tree in our house or get Christmas presents because my dad didn’t buy into these holidays. So maybe I can help you navigate through the difficulty of letting your precious babies down easily in this unexpected time.

Here are a few other ways to make the most of this season:

1) Try your best to explain the importance of family. Sit around on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in your favorite pajamas. Have fun making hot chocolate with them (maybe draw some smiling faces in it with cinnamon and marshmallows 😁)

2) Go back to the basics. Pick up a board game or a 500 to 1,000 piece puzzle that can be completed by Christmas or New Year’s.

3) If you have any change left after bills are paid buy something inexpensive. You can even find some nice new stuff at a local thrift store😉 (I have, plenty of times). Wrap it up really nice and watch the little one’s face light up!

4) Go to a local dollar store, they have all kinds of stuff for just a dollar, and let the kids pick out some seasonal “Christmassy” decor to decorate around the house. If you can’t afford a tree they have tiny trees, lights, stockings along with a lot of other stuff that you can find. This is really fun and it can be done for any holiday or special event.

5) Pick up a gingerbread house kit and make a plan on Christmas morning to work on this with the little ones….they really like this! I know I did as a kid👍🏾😜

I hope this really helps and encourage you to encourage another!

Happy Healthy Living,
Bee Macson ❤️