Creating Christmas Traditions

The magical chaos of the Christmas season is officially here. It’s that time of year where we find ourselves caught between the desire for the picture-perfect traditions and the reality of the everyday whirlwind of life. The struggle is real, and I feel it with you friends. As a mum of three young energetic boys I have come to accept that our Christmas traditions may not fit the cookie-cutter mold or the expectations that I had. And you know what? That is perfectly okay.

In the spirit of keeping things honest, I will admit that our Christmas traditions have been very irregular. Would I like to have created Christmas traditions with the boys from birth? Yes, but there is always this internal tug-of-war between wanting to create unforgettable Christmas moments and the practical side of my brain that says why put more stress on yourself at an already busy time of year?

So here is the thing I have realised this year. Christmas traditions shouldn’t be stress-inducing. They should be about joy, family and the kids feeling that sprinkle of Christmas magic.

So here is what I encourage you to do. Wrangle the kids and your husband into sitting down to chat about what makes the holiday season special for each of you. I suggest using bribery in the form of ice cream (for the kids) and whisky (for hubby, not the kids). You might be surprised to find that the holiday traditions you have been stressing about haven’t even registered on the kid’s radar. If your husband is a Christmas grinch like mine they definitely haven’t registered on his.

After a chat with my boys we have a short list of the Christmas traditions that actually matter to them.

Topping the list is advent calendars. Because what kid doesn’t light up at the idea of a chocolate filled surprise every day? I still remember the sheer delight of the small treat each day as a child. Now, my boys have a handmade masterpiece courtesy of their creative Aunt- a quilted calendar with a pocket for each day. It allows me to be creative by blending together the chocolate treats with Christmas books, movie nights and even a backyard campfire.

Then comes the topic of carols. I would have them playing from November, my husband not so much. And as for the boys well let’s just say that at times they have the attention span of a goldfish. Attempting the local carols a few years back was definitely an experience. Note to other mums: hyperactive squiggly boys and slow carols do not mix. I embraced watching the carols at home. Sitting back with a glass of wine to enjoy the carols was a match made in heaven.

This year, feeling a little bit brave, we are attempting the local carols again. The boys a smidge older, though no less energetic seem excited. Maybe this will be the year they embrace them. If not, I will happily enjoy them at home. Either way its about the journey and enjoying the attempt.

Next comes the annual Christmas Eve church service. Let’s be real, taking three little balls of energy to anything resembling stillness is about as enjoyable as herding cats.

Our Christmas Eve tradition includes a family service made up of energetic youngsters and patient parents who have almost reached the finish line of Christmas morning. The main attraction is dressing up as characters from the nativity scene and generally drama ensues when they all want the same costume. I had the genius idea of making them the three kings only to find that they unwrapped the gifts they were meant to be giving. Cue the toddler meltdown when it was discovered that only empty boxes were inside.

Let’s rewind a few years. Imagine me, a young mum, observing mothers of newborns and toddlers seamlessly navigating these events and feeling the envy come creeping in. How on earth were they managing it all? I felt like I was drowning and the Christmas tradition that was meant to bring joy only brought a feeling of failure. But here’s the truth I have come to embrace – their life, their story, their family isn’t mine. I saw one moment in their whole day, and I had to make the decisions that would work best for my family.

Fast forward to today and the boys are at an age where these events feel a tad more manageable. Can I guarantee that there wont be fights over the costumes or that they will get up to some mischief?  No, but I think that will last forever with three cheeky boys. Our story has its own rhythm, and that rhythm comes with a bit more wiggle room.

Interestingly the boys have started delving more into the story of Jesus at school, sparking interest in the story of Christmas. It is certainly different from the days when we were essentially telling them to sit still for reasons they couldn’t fathom. The magic of Christmas is unfolding in a new way.

As we immerse ourselves in the chaos of the holiday season, I encourage you to embrace the reality that Christmas traditions may not mirror the picture perfect ideal. My call to action for you is gather your family and discover what truly makes the holiday season enjoyable for each family member. Let your traditions reflect your family’s story, embracing the journey with all its quirks and surprises.