What Would Make Your Holidays Special This Year?

To answer this question, you could reflect on particularly memorable holidays from your past, consult the Internet, or poll your friends and family for their thoughts. I’m sure that you will come up with many ideas, but few will involve the commercial holiday hazard of spending way too much money on the latest toys and digital devices or fulfilling the expectations of everyone but yourself.

Some people find that tried-and-true family traditions are what make the holidays special for the. Holiday traditions can help us feel connected to each other and to something greater than ourselves. Whether it involves attending a candlelight Christmas Eve church services, playing powder puff football in the snow, or trolling the neighborhood singing Christmas carols to friends and neighbors, holiday traditions can provide a sense of security and comfort. We have found that when our adult children come home for the holidays, in addition to the traditional events, we like to do things that support the arts, like gathering at Second City Chicago, attending a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert, or checking out Morton Arboretum’s Illumination display.

Perhaps this is the year to break away from the traditions that no longer fit, like that ugly Christmas sweater that you have worn for the last ten years to the company holiday party. For example, I find that some families are “game families,” whereas others are not. I am from one of those families that didn’t play games, and I always felt something was missing on the holidays as I grew up. I eventually learned that playing games together, especially during the holidays, is great fun and a wonderful way to bring everyone to the table (as long as the snacks are good and we don’t get too competitive!). In addition to games, holding a crazy contest, such as an ugly dance competition, can be a fun way to burn off the holiday dinner and help everyone lighten up. But if you are from a family that always plays games or gets way too competitive, perhaps it’s time to something else more active around the holidays, like going ice skating or snow skiing.

The holidays are a special time for the family to take a reflective look back at the previous year. Kicking off this time of year by sharing our blessing and all the things we are grateful for can set the stage for a more peaceful time. We also have to acknowledge the more challenging aspects of the previous year and support each other in the process.

The holidays are also a time of giving. But most adults would agree that the commercial aspects of the holidays and gift giving have gotten way out of proportion. Perhaps it’s time to consider an alternative to giving gifts. You could offer the gift of time to perform a service such as offering to babysit or clean another person’s house or yard. Or you could consider giving a card with a heartfelt note inside along with a donation to a charity in that person’s name. Some families derive a great deal of satisfaction from a service project that offers hope to others. Some examples include adopting a family in need through Catholic Charities, serving in a soup kitchen or food bank, visiting shut-ins, or writing a letter or sending a gift to a soldier overseas. Such activities color the season with greater meaning.

There are many ways to make this holiday season special for you and your family, but what’s most important is to appreciate the spirit of the season and the ones you are with.