Keeping the Holidays Simple, Fun and Memorable:

Picture-perfect holidays as nostalgic a Norman Rockwell painting, peaceful as a Currier and Ives scene and as awesome as the ultimate winter family photo shoot…posted on someone else’s social media site, set the season’s bar pretty high. Add limitless ideas from Pinterest, expectations of others and all the extra fun events scheduled into the December calendar and it is easy to run on “E”.  We overspend our energy and our budget.

I have been guilty of most of these. I often ran myself so ragged I landed in bed the day after Christmas with a colossal cold that lasted until New Year’s Day. I found ways to simplify my expectations for the ideal holiday. I eliminated Christmas cards. Instead, I tucked a newsy note in a Valentine card or my Christmas thank-you’s. We kept the tradition of cutting down a real tree but decorated it with plain white lights, an angel and candy canes. I also found creative ways to remember dear ones with gifts that left more time to enjoy the season and create memories, without overspending.

Busy families with young children may welcome less under the tree. One mom messaged me for information about infant swim lessons offered at the YMCA. This is her first Christmas as a mom. Her 9-month old daughter is the only grandchild on both sides of the family. She is delighted the grandparents chose 12 weeks of infant swim lessons as a gift. 

Ideas for keeping holidays simple, memorable and fun!

Keep it Simple:

1. Start early.
2. Get rest and include healthy food choices whenever possible. Use moderation in holiday goodies. 
3. Set a budget.
4. Draw Names. As families grow, the gift list grows. Consider drawing names. In larger families, adults might draw in one round and children in another. Not only does this help the budget but it lightens the burden for shopping for an entire family.
5. Wrap each gift as you purchase it. Or at least set it in a box or bag with the name of the recipient(s) Chose a different wrapping paper for each family/person for easier sorting.
6. Limit the number of gifts. (One family chose 3 gifts to honor the 3 gifts the Wisemen brought)

Make it Memorable and Meaningful:

1. Adopted a family or a cause. Consider forgoing some or all gifts to help others in need. (the YMCA of Broome County provides an Angel Tree for the 87 residents living in supportive housing at the Binghamton facility. Men’s winter hats, scarves, boots and jackets are also welcome gifts, as well as toiletries.) 
2. Spend quality time together. Plan a Family Outing/Event instead of expensive gifts under the tree. Go to a hotel. Swim. Play games and have contests as teams. (Ugly Sweater, Crazy Races or Decorating a Human Christmas Tree.) See a show or a movie. Invite reps from every generation to plan events and the menu.
3. Toy box too full? Buying for someone who has everything? Give gifts that give all year. Gift Certificates toward a membership, a class (cooking, painting, dancing, gymnastics) or a kid-friendly place (museums, zoos, amusement parks) or sports programs or swim lessons. For adults: subscriptions to a favorite newspaper/magazine. Or gift certificates to restaurants, hairdresser, golf course or grocery store.
4. Limited Budget? Get together with another family and make simple gifts to give. (Our children and the friends’ children, now in their 30’s, still remember the crazy fun of making candles and candle holders in our kitchen.) This is one place to consult Pinterest.

Make it fun:

 Ideas for drawing names for a gift exchange. Set a cap on $$

1. Gift card only exchange. Discover the person’s interests…food or fun.
2. Fill a stocking. Set a limit of $10-$15. Be creative. Chose a theme to fit the recipient. Or set guidelines, like everything must start with the person’s first initial.
3. Exchange DVD’s or new/old vinyl records   
4. Family Gifts: Rather than buy separate gifts for each person, buy one gift for the entire family to enjoy/share:
5. Family Membership or gift card to a museum, amusement park, gym.
6. Board Game.
7. Gift Card to movies, sports event, show, bowling and/or their favorite place to eat.