Kiddipedia
As the end of the year fast approaches, we are often looking for ways to bring meaning and joy into the festive season. As parents, we are the magic makers of the season!
The festive season is built on tradition, connection and meaning, so it makes sense that people want to be intentional about how they can spread kindness and holiday cheer. The term we use within Gottman Therapy for this kind of tradition is a ‘ritual of connection’ – something that we do and rely on that allows us to feel connected to loved ones, community or a greater sense of purpose.
So, in the spirit of the festive season, here are 12 ways of Christmas cheer…
- Making – Kindness and Christmas cheer start at home. Kids want to feel useful, involved and valuable in special moments and traditions. So, what can they contribute? This is a great opportunity to make paper snowflakes and hang them from the ceiling fan!
- Baking – Food is a special kind of tradition in many families. What special festive food can your children help you create? We make a gingerbread house every year and it has become a ritual of connection for our whole family as we roll the dough and decorate with lollies.
- Decorating – What does tree trimming look like at your house? Do you set your tree up on the 1st of December, or perhaps a month earlier? Do you have special ornaments that belong to each family member? Make it a ‘moment’ for your family.
- Welcoming – Now, we move a little further from home and consider those who might be forgotten at this time of year. Is there a family friend, aunt or acquaintance who you know may be spending this season alone, who you could invite into special moments like Christmas lunch?
- Creating – This season is a beautiful opportunity for creating rituals with children around giving rather than just receiving. They can create handmade gifts for special people in their lives.
- Donating – The lead up to Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to donate used clothes, toys and household goods to local op shops. Giving something a new life is a powerful gift!
- Surprising – In my family, we have created a tradition in the week before Christmas called “Kindness Ninja Day”, where we do sneaky kind things for people we don’t know. One of my daughters’ favourites is paying for the person behind us in the drive through line at McDonalds!
- Giving – There are so many wonderful organisations that collect gifts for children this time of year. The Vinnies Christmas Appeal and the K-Mart Wishing Tree are two very easy ways to give without ever knowing who receives your kindness.
- Appreciating – Did you know that gratitude and satisfaction go hand in hand? So, writing a thank you note to the postman or offering an ice block to the garbage collector is a great way for kids to show appreciation.
- Belonging – What community events can you get involved in? Where can you feel a sense of belonging? Perhaps this is at community carols, perhaps it is at your local church.
- Volunteering – Time is a precious resource always, but especially during the festive season. There are so many organisations that welcome volunteers – whether it is gift wrapping, charity collecting, soup kitchens, etc. If your child is too young to join you, they may be able to visit and see your model the value in gifting your time for others.
- Enjoying – As the magic makers of the season, we can get overwhelmed with the pinterest-worthy images of what our home, our cooking or our family ‘should’ look like. Take a breath, look around and enjoy the small moments of holiday cheer!
Megan Kozak (M.Couns., M.Ed., B.Ed., B.CI.) is a Therapist and Director of Lighthouse Relationships Psychology & Counselling.
Megan has over 15 years of experience in educational, corporate, private and community environments helping people learn practical relationship strategies around communication, conflict resolution and wellbeing. She works with individuals, couples and organisations in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada. Megan currently balances individual and couples therapy with speaking engagements and interviews (like Beyond the Bump and 97.3 KISS FM). She has been sharing life with her wonderful husband of 19 years and their two hilarious, adventurous daughters.
For more information, visit: www.lighthouserelationships.com.au, or follow is on Facebook – Lighthouse Relationships | Facebook or @lighthouse_relationships • Instagram
