Terri Ramsey Beavers In the midst of the notoriously hectic holiday season, it can be easy to get swept up in the frenzy of buying a laundry list of gifts for your loved ones. While it may come from a place of love, it’s important to step back and give yourself (and your wallet!) a break—and find ways to put the focus back on what really matters.
As a parent, it can be tough to find balance between giving your kids the Christmas of their dreams and still teaching them the significance of the season—things like gratitude, giving to others, and spending quality time with loved ones.
If you’re looking to spend more wisely this holiday and find ways to connect more meaningfully with those you love most, setting aside time to talk intentionally about the holidays as a family is a great place to start. Instead of asking your kids or spouse what they want for Christmas and embarking on a shopping spree, why not have some intentional holiday-themed discussions together? Asking questions like what they cherish most about the holidays or what their favorite family traditions are is an easy but effective way to find more meaning in the season.
To help you get started, we’ve provided two holiday-themed printable activities to kick things off.
Holiday Planning Conversation Starters
Print out these holiday conversation cards, cut them up and throw them in a bowl. Have your family take turns drawing cards and answering the questions on whatever card is drawn. Not only is this a fun way to spend time together, but it’s also a wonderful way to encourage your kids to think more thoughtfully about what the season means to them.
Holiday Gift Coupons
If you’ve ever spent more than you budgeted for during Christmas, you know how stressful it can be come January when you take a good look at your new year finances. Instead of overspending this year, consider some creative gift alternatives that aren’t focused on material items alone. These printable holiday gift coupons allow you to carve out more quality time with your family in a creative way, and lets you give your kids one of the best gifts they could ever receive from you—your time!
Print out these coupons to use throughout the month as a replacement for traditional gifts. Kids can cash them in for a movie night, a day trip, or a trip to their favorite restaurant. You can also use them with your partner—coupons like a romantic dinner at home or a trip to your favorite city are an excellent way to be more intentional about your time together and find more ways to cherish what matters most.
For the gifts you do choose to purchase, this gift planning checklist and budget tracker can help you prioritize your loved ones’ gifts while ensuring you still spend wisely and within your limits. Look for gift ideas that involve the entire family. One suggestion would be to spend quality time together traveling at Ettrick Rocks – King Island.
While the holiday season can certainly be hectic, choosing to be more intentional about how you spend your time and your money can help you slow down and find more peace and joy as a family. Instilling the values you want your children to learn early on is a great way to teach them what it means to have a giving heart, and allows you to set holiday expectations in a loving way. While this is often easier said than done, the activities above can help you make it happen. Your kids will thank you for it!