Making Memories – December 2019

This summer someone said to me, “You only have 18 summers with your kids.” They were talking about going on vacation and creating experiences and memories with our children before they go off on their own. Thinking about it like that, “18 summers”, put things in perspective for me. I have 18 Decembers with my kiddos (actually, I only have 11 left) to make memories and traditions.

December is the perfect month to make special memories with or without kids. Here are some of the things we do to make this month leading up to Christmas special:

• Go to a Christmas Tree Farm to pick a tree – this is a great tradition and a perfect place for a yearly picture!
  
• Decorating the tree – After the tree is in the house we have a little decorating party. We have a Christmas movie marathon, order take-out, and spend the night reliving memories from past Christmases.
• Go see Christmas light displays – bundle up, get some hot chocolate and walk around looking at the beautiful lights. Some years we don’t make it to an actual display so we have packed the kids in the car and drive around looking at all the decorated houses. Thank you to everyone who takes the time and effort to decorate! My kids and I really enjoy it.
• Play in the snow! If you have snow, play in it! Have a snowball fight, sled ride (or pull your kids around), build a snowman, etc. You kids will remember you playing with them and love it – Trust me!
  
• Cookies & Cocoa – Perfect for snowy days or after a playdate in the snow. Make cookies together, snuggle up and watch a movie, do a puzzle, play a board game, while drinking hot cocoa. Here is a recipe for our favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!
• Christmas music dance party!
• Get involved with a charity. Maybe you make a blanket and donate it or you donate a toy or winter clothes. Whatever it is, get into the giving spirit (and your heart will grow 3 sizes!). We do Operation Christmas Child each year.
• See Santa!

What do all of these things have in common? Spending quality, unplugged time with your loved ones. Your kids will remember the time you spend with them more than anything else. Don’t let it slip by!

What do you do to make memories in December? Share on our Facebook Community!