Every year I strive to create intentional Christmas for our family. As moms, we do so much to mold and shape, our families, especially holidays. Christmas is such a large season and holiday that it seems to take much time and energy to put together.
Each year, I assess what we have done in previous years to see if it is still appropriate to continue. I always strive to have a Christ-centered Christmas season. I are not perfect, but I am definitely thoughtful moving into the season.
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Prepping is Key
Each October, I begin to prep a holiday binder to organize myself. I use this binder to organize my self throughout the year, yet December needs a bit more space. If I take time to prepare gifts and activities I have more time to think through them and be more intentional. I have made an intentional Christmas checklist for you to have at the bottom of the post.
Calendar
I first put together a simple calendar for the month of December. I could use my yearly planner for this, but I have found I like to access a month view with all of my other notes. Next, I add in the event events and activities that we are already doing. Often times these are set activities for school, church, or birthday parties. I love to have this visual as we plan additional Christmas activities. I also look at this and try to spread things out so we are not overwhelmed on one day or weekend. The calendar helps me be intentional with our time.
To-do List
I have a Christmas to-do list that I check and add to throughout the season. LOTS of things go on this list and I am referring to it very often. This list may have: schedule Santa photos, buy advent pieces or to purchase teacher gifts. I will look back and check things off as needed. I love having this list, as I sometimes forget things I had planned to do. The to-do list helps me intentional to get to the things I believe are important for the season.
Decorations
I have definitely follow my mother‘s footsteps of collecting and putting up many Christmas decorations. As it is one of my favorite times of year-Christmas decorations really help me feel warm and excited for this season. Some of my favorite Christmas decorations are: the Christmas tree, the advent box my Father-in-law made our family, the Christmas card display over my bedroom doors, our cabinet wreaths and so much more. I have more on organizing Christmas boxes here.
Cousin Movie Night
Another way I create an intentional Christmas is to facilitate family memories. A few years ago, I began planning a Cousin Movie Night in our home. This is between my brother’s children and mine. This night will include special themed tickets, hot cocoa and fun special themed treats and activities all while watching a favorite Christmas movie. We have already thrown a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Grinch, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, The Polar Express nights. I can’t wait to continue throughout the years.
Christmas Card
Brian and I absolutely love to send out Christmas cards. We put together a little bit of information about our family, including a photo to share with our friends and family. We absolutely love receiving everyone’s Christmas cards as well. This takes a chunk of time and effort, as well asa little bit of money. Well worth it.
Christmas card tips:
- Plan early
- Order cards with Groupon
- Pre-order your favorite Christmas stamps from the postal service
Christmas foods
Over the years, I have realized that Christmas foods are very important to our family. I have been planning several foods throughout the years tweaking and adjusting as needed.
Christmas Eve, I have just started planning a Shepherd‘s dinner and I’m still working on incoporating that into our family.
Christmas morning, we typically do some sort of cinnamon roll or cinnamon wreath with bacon, fruit, sparkling apple cider, and sometimes mimosas! Delicious!
For Christmas Dinner, my parents put together a very formal Christmas dinner. We all chip in and bring our favorites to that meal. It’s a nice tradition as we all dress up and sit at a dressed table each year.
We also do Christmas cookies, candied pecans, hot cocoa and more delicious foods sprinkled throughout the month. I like to plan these out and take it as it goes.
Elf on the Shelf
Elf on the shelf has been a tradition for many many years in our family. In this area, I take some extra time to be intentional. I take a spin on the traditional Elf on the Shelf and I make ours more about Christ and giving to others instead of the elves being naughty and silly. I typically plan out all of the details and surprises from donating old toys to preparing treats for neighbors. As the children get older, I can do more tween and teenager activities.
Stockings
Brian and I absolutely love buying stocking stuffers. We usually have to hold ourselves back as we love to find little trinkets and special gifts for our children. Over the years we have bought tiny little toys, cars, chapsticks, jewelry and so much more. In our home, we have our Santa gifts out when the kids wake up. We search for the German pickles and open all of the wrapped gifts. Lastly, stockings are a bit of a bonus when we think we are finished! Lot’s of little fun items.
Christmas Traditions. German. Irish. Kiser.
I love traditions! Since we make a big deal of incorporating things each years our traditions ahve stuck with out kids too.
Over the years, I have embraced our families heritage. Some of the German and Irish traditions have really stuck out to me and I am slowly working at incorporating them.
German
Grandma Kiser always had fruit shaped marzipan treats each year at her house. I decided to start having some at our home as well. We also started the German pickle tradition Christmas mornings! This is a fun tradition where a green pickle ornament is hidden in the Christmas tree. Whoever finds the pickle first gets to open the first present that year. We have morphed the tradition each year with more pickles and also special prizes!
Irish
Irish traditions. I like to include the Irish tradition of making my homemade cranberry sauce. I lost my recipe years ago and now I just make it to taste-just like a true Grandmother’s tradition. We also have a special welcoming candle in our home. Another favorite we have introduces is enjoying Walker’s shortbread cookies. There are even delicious gluten-free available!
Kiser Family
Over the years we have put together many Kiser Family traditions. I love to host a cousin movie night (as shared above). I put together fun small daily gifts in our advent calendar. Papa Kiser made our advent calendar and they send gifts to add in. Brian and I also give Christmas pajamas to the children on Christmas Eve. One of Brian’s favorite tradition is choosing a Hallmark ornament each year. It is really fun to open the many ornaments we have collected over the years. This is a huge fun event to finally place them all on the tree.
We also love to get photos with Santa. We typically do an ornament or craft each year and have a hot cocoa bar display. Another tradition that I started a long time ago is wrapping Christmas books for each day of the month leading up to Christmas. Sometimes I add this into the advent calendar. One child gets to unwrap a book. Then I have a basket to place them in and anyone can read throughout the season. Each book is Christmas themed and I purchased a new book or two each year.
As I continue to plan our Christmas activities and gifts, we put together gifts for our teachers, neighbors and family. We also listen to lots and lots of Christmas music. Shopping for gifts and holiday outfits are always a hit.
Christ Centered
There are many ways we include Christ in our Christmas activities. As a family we read an advent card each morning or evening. These are special cards I have bought that remind us why we celebrate Christmas; and is great to lead up to Christmas Day. I also read an advent devotional each day and it is so calming and wonderful moving my heart through the season.
I use the Elf on the Shelf to bring in Christ into the season. We talk about Jesus’ birth. We give to others as well as attending Christmas services.
Being intentional is very imporant as we raise our children. I love taking the time to plan and organize our Christmas season. I hope you can take some time to think through your season and how your family can incorporate a few of these ideas.
Here is a freebie! A Prep Christmas printable.
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