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3 ways to make the holidays special for your family

I’m not one bit surprised that one of the primary mental health problems in our country is anxiety, and I cant help but to wonder if the month of December witnesses a significant spike it. Christmas comes with so many expectations. In fact, there is so much “hype” for this time of year, that it’s easy to get lost in it.

Most families would like to enjoy the holiday season and make it special for their children, but it can be an elusive goal that often ends in frustration and disappointment.

It would be easy to provide a long list of pointers for how to make the holidays a meaningful season, but instead I’ve just focused on a few tips. If you’re able to do these things, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the outcome!

1) Slow down. Its easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, and never get the chance to enjoy the simple things of the season, like an eggnog latte and the holiday artwork you child brings home from school.

2) Don’t overbook your family’s schedule. As tempting as it may be to attend all of the fun holiday events, one of the ways to make this season more meaningful is by being careful to not fill the next few weeks with too many activities and to-do lists.

3) Spend quality time with your family. Have fun doing things like playing board games, baking cookies, or making homemade gifts. The holidays are about relationships, not giving and receiving presents, so taking time out to be together should be at the top of your list.

Source: Amy Wickstrom, PhD, Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. The play therapy blog at More Than a Toy (www.morethanatoy.com/blog)