‘Tis the season of joy, and as parents, we find ourselves juggling the decorating, the shopping, the wrapping of gifts, the many school events & activities, and all the holiday parties. Amid the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. The other day my daughter, Blaine, and I were having a conversation about the real meaning of Christmas. So I thought it would be good for all of us to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, sharing valuable lessons to our children about what truly matters. (I am writing this mostly as a reminder to myself too.)

Cherishing Moments Over Presents

In the whirlwind of wish lists and wrapping paper, let’s remember that the most precious gifts are the moments spent together. Whether it’s decorating the tree together, baking Christmas cookies together, or watching a good Hallmark Christmas movie together, these are the memories our children will carry with them. I have told my kids time and time again that all I want for Christmas each year is quality time together. Last Christmas, we took an amazing family trip to Paris and those memories are far more precious than any wrapped present. This year, we are taking a long road trip! Bring on the family bonding…and lots of forced quality time in the car :).

Acts of Kindness 

This Christmas, let’s transform the season into a time of giving and compassion. I feel like this year is more important than ever to help others by giving back. Encourage your children to participate in acts of kindness, whether big or small. Teaching our children empathy, compassion, and caring for others is very important. Every year at Christmas time, we explore opportunities to support those who may be less fortunate. Acts of kindness, big or small, foster a sense of community and shared humanity.

Embracing Gratitude

Amid the holiday chaos, let’s all encourage an attitude of gratitude in your children by reflecting on the blessings of the year. Instilling gratitude helps children appreciate the gifts that matter most—love, health, and togetherness. A simple family discussion around the dinner table can help everyone express what they are thankful for. We have this discussion on Thanksgiving Day as a family, but I think it’s also good to do this now around Christmas as well. In the past, we have also created a gratitude jar to help facilitate this discussion.

Meaningful Traditions 

Start meaningful family traditions that embody the values you want to pass on. Whether it’s decorating the tree, attending a candlelight church service, or driving around to see Christmas lights, these traditions create a sense of continuity and reinforce the true meaning of Christmas. One of my favorite traditions is when we decorate the tree, we reminisce about each ornament which makes it even more meaningful. We each pick out which ornament is our favorite too!

This Christmas, let’s guide our children not only to unwrap presents but also to unwrap the true meaning of the season—the joy of giving, the warmth of togetherness, and the magic of LOVE. In doing so, we give our families the most beautiful and enduring traditions of all.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas and any of your favorite holiday traditions too. Email me!

Thank you for being here and thank you for reading this reminder. (I needed this too.)

Happy Holidays!

Sending love and light, xoxo Nina