Christmas is just around the corner, which means Christmas break is here! These two weeks can be full of glorious, relaxing picture-perfect moments and also ‘I’m bored’ and ‘Can I watch a show?’ and ‘I want a snack’ moments. Christmas break is not exclusive to one or the other. In the midst of this magical live-in-jammies time of year, there are some ways I want to savor Christmas break with my people.
Have a DO NOTHING Day.
I put this one first because it’s my favorite. Protect one day of break and plan absolutely nothing. Let the day unfold however it may. Maybe that means heading to a movie, baking some cookies, or just hanging on the couch in pajamas. I am all in for this one.
Make a blanket fort and indulge in a movie and popcorn.
This is on my list for our break. We may even do it at 10:00 in the morning. There is nothing better than a movie and popcorn in pajamas. Yes, please.
Let the kids have a day.
Set aside a day for the kids to set the agenda. Sometimes I get so excited planning what we are or aren’t going to do, that I forget to include the kids in the decision making. Letting the kids set the agenda gives them some power and helps them practice decision making and compromise with siblings.
Read a new book together.
Check a book out at the library and spend some time each day reading as a family. Sarah MacKenzie over at Read Aloud Revival has incredible booklists you can get at this link. My favorite list is First Novels to Read Aloud. A few I would add to this list that we have loved as a family: The Boxcar Children and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Choose a book and snuggle up on the couch every night during break for some built in quality time.
Choose a drawer or a room in the house to purge and organize.
The days following Christmas can be the perfect time for a good purge (or if you’re reading this before Christmas, how about a Pre-Christmas Purge?). I am excited to do this with my people. I am planning on tackling the basement closets and our master bathroom. A good purge always leaves me feeling accomplished, even if I only have 15 minutes to dedicate to it.
Do something you have been wanting to do for awhile.
A museum? Ice skating? Trampoline park? Sleepover in the living room? Make it happen over break.
Get outside.
This is simple and maybe not always easy, but everyone feels better with a walk or 30 minute break at the park. It also makes the day go a lot smoother since the kids are able to ‘get the wiggles out’. Getting outside during Christmas break could save us, friends.
This Christmas break doesn’t have to be full of meltdowns and marathon snacks (although it certainly might be). I think there are ways we can savor Christmas Break with our babes without losing our sanity. Tell me: What are your plans for Christmas break?