Christmas is a time for sharing, a time for celebrating, and a time for creating beautiful memories with family and friends. Make this Christmas a time for sharing precious Christmas memories with your kids that demonstrate the true spirit of Christmas. Here are 6 top tips, straight from our gurus at The Christmas Cart.
Thinking Christmas memories, most of us go directly back to those moments in time when the visit from Santa and his pack of helpers was one of the most exciting things to happen all year. We waited in our beds with anticipation and excitement, putting on the best behaviour we could muster up just to make sure it was Christmas gifts that were being left instead of an onion or lump of coal (because that’s what the “naughty children” received). But when creating Christmas memories for kids, we love to delve a little deeper than gifts and go right into the realm of the true spirit of Christmas. We look back at the time when Christmas taught us valuable lessons, which have grown with us as adults, and the important value of family and good friends.
In this article we discuss the value of making Christmas memories for kids that instil the goodness of the Christmas spirit to show them that some of the most special Christmas memories are about sharing kindness, gratitude and the gift of good will, for nothing more but a warm heart in return.
5 top tips (that aren’t gift focused) for making Christmas memories for kids
#1 The Spirit of Giving
One of the best lessons in life is learning the true spirit of giving. The act of giving to someone or something without the expectation that you will receive something of a physical nature in return. And when introduced at a young age, this important Christmas memory for kids encourages the spreading of joy and good will from within, which is reciprocated with the feeling of “doing good” for others.
Time is one of the most valuable assets we possess. You can create some beautiful Christmas memories with your kids by demonstrating valuable ways they can use a slice of their precious time or effort in order to help others.
Here are a few ideas on how you can spread the spirit of Christmas cheer to someone in need this year, right from your own home.
Savvy with Knitting?
Organisations like Knit One Give One are always on the lookout for knitters and crafty people. Create some wonderful Christmas memories for kids, and other people in need, by donating your time and skills. Whether it be a knitted blanket, a scarf, a kid’s jumper or a knitted toy. Or donate some kitted squares for their volunteers to assemble as blankets. Once taught basic knitting skills, this is the perfect activity for your kids to get involved with – crafting with a beautiful purpose too.
Christmas Appeals
Create Christmas memories for kids in need and your own kids to by getting involved in a Christmas appeal. One such appeal is the Oz Child Wishing Tree Appeal. Oz Child is a leading welfare organisation, committed to improving the lives of at-risk children and families. Get your children involved with selecting a gift online to donate to someone doing it a little tough this year.
Kmart’s Wishing Tree Appeal is a popular Christmas appeal that is run in conjunction with the Salvation Army each year. The Salvation Army do amazing work in our communities all year round and through the Wishing Tree Appeal you can contribute cash donations or gifts to assist their efforts this Christmas season. Why not select a beautiful Christmas gift from The Christmas Cart to place under a Kmart tree for someone in need this year?
While these kinds of gifts don’t offer a physical one in return, they offer a sense of fulfilment and good will that money simply cannot buy. This is a Christmas memory for kids that showcases the value of helping others without expectation. The act of selfless giving is a lifelong value that will only serve them well throughout their years.
If you are interested in creating some Christmas memories for kids by donating time to a another good cause, search the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission charity register. Here you can find registered charities per state and per charitable cause to find something that is truly special to you and your family.
#2 The Value of Family Time
As busy as it may appear, Christmas is also an opportunity to kick back and refresh ourselves from the year that was. At the same time, it also offers the chance to make Christmas memories with kids, our entire family, and special friends too.
No matter what traditions you roll out over the festive season, cherish the value of the time you are able to spend together. As we all know, time is not forever so we should make sure to treasure and hold dear all that we can. Love and laughter are key to many great Christmas memories with kids.
- Over the holidays, grab any opportunity for family photos, and plenty of them!
- Gather the gang and hang out together to watch a festive flick or two
- Encourage the kids to cool off by playing in the sprinkler or limbo under the hose
- Sing songs together
- Dance like no one is judging…
Even though some of these activities and memories may not specifically be Christmas related, they form an important part of the festive season lead up and summer holiday memories.
#3 Creating Memories to Keep
Create classic Christmas memories with your kids that they can look back on by way of keepsakes.
One of our favourites is to ask the kids to write a letter to Santa to leave for him on Christmas Eve. In their letter, include highlights about their year – what was important to them, what was their favourite and least favourite part? After Santa’s visit, stash the letters in a beautiful keepsake box to give to your children when they are older. These letters are once-in-a-lifetime Christmas memories with kids that can never be replicated but their essence will continue to bring smiles and warm hearts for many, many years to come.
#4 Giving and Fun with Christmas Craft
In another life lesson, show your kids the value and satisfaction of finishing a job, and make some Christmas memories with your kids through Christmas craft. Whether it be making a DIY Christmas gift for someone or some Christmas craft pieces for the home – give them a sense of accomplishment and achievement (and have plenty of fun too!) by getting creative this festive season.
Your kids might like to make their own:
- Christmas bauble
- Christmas gift tags
- Christmas cards
- Christmas wreath
- Christmas gifts
Image source: The Christmas Cart, The Thoughtful Occasion, Pinterest,
#5 Christmas Work
Although time for celebration, getting ready for Christmas also involves a little bit of hard yakka too. From cooking for the masses to wrapping presents like a champion and cleaning the house. You can teach your kids about the rewards that come from hard work, spend time together (and share some of the load) too.
Create some important Christmas memories for kids, and perhaps a little appreciation and understanding of what it takes, by getting them involved in helping with some of these tasks and making it fun!
- Help to bake some snacks for friends, guests or Santa’s Christmas Eve visit
- Pick out (or help to make) gifts for family and friends
- Get them involved with cooking for Christmas Day or setting the table for a Christmas morning breakfast
- Tidying their room and helping to tidy the yard or other areas of the home in preparation for the celebrations (of course this score’s them points on Santa’s nice list too, so it’s a win-win!)
Christmas is an occasion where we give the gift of love, the gift of time, and share the treasured experiences of creating and enjoying beautiful Christmas memories with our kids and families.
For more inspirational ways to create beautiful Christmas memories with your kids, check out our online articles at The Christmas Cart. For a range of memorable Christmas gifts, keepsakes, décor and craft supplies, look no further than our online store.