Holidays- Worth all the stress?

Are Holidays worth all the stress over money and time? For my own daughter’s Christmases, I wanted them to have a good Christmas, too. I went overboard in trying to make this happen by buying unnecessary things. You see I grew up celebrating every Holiday. Its one of the best memories I have. So when I had kids I wanted to make sure I implemented this too. But like many families the stress of money, splitting the day between families, not having my kids on some holidays, and life itself began to fizzle out the value and Joy I once experience as a child. When there were days I wanted to quit, not celebrate at all, I knew I had to change my perspective and not lose sight of the value of what I retained as a child and what I could give to others. Traditions create an identity for a family or a group of people.Traditions keep loved ones alive in our hearts and minds when they are away from us and create a special bond for years to come. So weather its putting a flag in the yard for the 4th of July, or green dye in the toilet for St Patrick's day, create something magical and special for your family to remember.

This might be the year for our families to make changes in the way we gift. Here are a few options that are inexpensive and often more valuable than anything money itself can buy:

Family Day: Once a month pick a day and plan a date for your family. It can be taking a day trip to town, going out for a lunch date, taking a trip to the zoo, or even just going to the movies. Spending time with your family is getting harder to do with our busy daily lives; this gift can help make sure that your family is getting some good, valuable quality time together, and best of all the memories will far exceed the monetary value.

Make the Practical Special and Fun- Decorating the home can be a big task just like preparing the food. Cooking the meal creates the perfect chance to talk and "catch up" on all the stories and activities you just never seem to have time to share. I love decorating the house for every Holiday, it makes the house more cheerful and just a place of happiness.

Serve Others to Help Brighten Their Holidays- Serving others is a wonderful way to give back in recognition for all the blessings we enjoy. One of the reasons I even love to give so much is because it blesses someone else who may not have the means to buy something or have a meal. I love to see the smile on their face, that I made a difference for that one small second for them.

Don’t buy your gifts—make them

You don’t have to give in to the holiday shopping tradition of overspending. Make meaningful gifts. Be creative, be intentional. I have the girls make all their own cards, many of their gifts, and as shameful this is to say it, im a "re-gifter." No judgment please lol.

Regardless of whom you celebrate holidays with, there is always room to create traditions that establish memories or strengthen a bond. It is never too late to start holiday routines and traditions but it is also never too late to change them.