December 2019 - EASTERN OREGON PARENT - 7
This holiday season try to stress less and enjoy more
By SARA HAYES
When the holidays are men-
tioned, what is the very first thing
that comes to mind? For many it’s
time with family, a certain meal,
and thoughts on how to make the
holidays “especially special” for
our children, no matter if they’re
young or grown. Yet, we as parents
often stress about making sure our
children get the latest and greatest
items on their list. Even the lists we
see on TV or the internet, like the
“Top 10 Toys of 2019,” suggest the
latest and greatest, most expensive
items are a must. The holidays are
becoming more and more stressful,
fast-paced and expensive.
Let’s pause and reflect for a min-
ute on what matters most. Is it the
latest and greatest toy we opened
years ago that we remember for
years to come? Or is it the traditions,
the experiences we create for our
children; the joy that connection
brings us as their caregivers? What
do you work to re-create for your
children from your childhood … what
remains special to you even now?
From my experience, it’s the tra-
ditions and the genuine connection
between a child and an adult that
matter most.
Have you ever attempted to
change an annual tradition to
another one, exchanged a ham for
pizza? Attempted to buy cookies
rather than make homemade cook-
ies? When we make these shifts,
although small, thinking it won’t
make a difference, we most defi-
nitely hear about it. Often we hear
“that’s good, but not as good as (fill
in the blank).”
What if all of our energy this
holiday season went towards mak-
ing experiences and true connec-
tion, placing technology and to-dos
Strategies
you. Have your children create a
list of what they are grateful for.
aside? Why not focus on the true
joys and bringing to life what we re-
member as special to our children?
Here are some quick tips to shift
from a “fast-track” holiday to an
“intentional” holiday:
• Prioritize: What matters the
most to your family? Is it having
the most options on the table
or is it creating a simpler meal,
with favorite items in mind?
Not cooking all day means more
time to enjoy the meal together!
Focus on the traditions that mat-
ter most to your family, and omit
those obligation that don’t bring
joy and are really not important
to you. Create new traditions
and routines with input from the
littlest ones in the family.
• Perfection vs. Meaning: We
could stress about having all
things “just right” for the holi-
days or we could focus on the
experiences rather than the
product. It’s more about togeth-
erness while making a cookie
than making 10 different types
of cookies, including your kid-
dos in frosting and decorating
(finger and spoon licking in-
cluded). When decorating, don’t
stress about having all of your
decorations up, focus on those
that bring memories to mind,
such as hand-made pictures
and ornaments. Art created by
little hands and displayed brings
smiles and pride from those who
made it.
• Remain grateful: The time we
have surrounded by family and
friends is so precious. Focus on
gratefulness and take time to
enjoy the moment. Share the joy
and gratitude with others around
• Simplify gifts, focus on experi-
ences: Reducing the number of
gifts can be a good start. Com-
municate with your family that
we are focusing more on fun
and time together and consider
doing a fun gift exchange rather
than buying a large number of
gifts. Cards, board games, and
a movie night in PJs are great
traditions that can take the place
of gift-giving. When buying gifts,
keeping in mind the experience
it will bring for years to come
and the meaning the gift will
bring. A helpful saying to keep
in mind when shopping for gifts
is “something they want, some-
thing they need, something they
can do or read.”
• Make the time to enjoy as
adults! Planning is important,
prioritizing what matters most,
however, to-do lists can fill all
of our hours preventing us from
spending time where it matters
most … with our kids, making
memories.
Happy Holidays!
________
Sara Hayes is the Director of Edu-
cation & Disabilities at UMCHS, a
partner with the Blue Mountain
Early Learning Hub, which works
to bridge early childhood resources
and prepare children for kinder-
garten. For more information visit
www.bluemountainearlylearning-
hub.org.