While the holiday season can be a joyous time for many families, it can also be a difficult time for those who are single parents or have recently divorced. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to remember that you are not alone. The best way to create lasting memories during the holidays is to focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t. This might mean getting creative with your holiday traditions or taking advantage of the freedom to try something new. Whatever you do, make sure to enjoy the time with your family and create lasting memories this holiday season. Here are 15 ideas to help you create the best memories for you and your family during the holidays.
What Do You Remember Most?
Think back to Christmas when you were a kid. What are the best memories of those times that come to your mind first? I can guarantee that none of the memories involved the amount of money your parents spent on your gifts.
I remember a few gifts I received as a child, such as my Rub-a-Dub Dolly or the Peaches and Cream Barbie whose dress smelled like Peaches. But, what brings a smile to my face and are my favorite memories are the gowns my Grandma would make for my female cousins and me every Chrismas, the year it snowed, and we saw Santa’s footsteps coming to our house and leaving our home, and going caroling with our church.
How To Create Holiday Memories After Divorce
Your kids will not remember how much you spend on their gifts. They will remember doing something fun or different and the time you spent together. Give your children more than money can buy…a memory that will last a lifetime. Here are 15 ideas to get you started.
- Idea #1: Do a random act of kindness each day. This was my kids’ favorite activity we did the first year after their dad, and I separated. We did a random activity each day from December 1 to December 24. It takes very little money. We spent less than $20 for the month. A few other we did were pushing shopping carts back to the store that shoppers had left in the parking lot, taping a dollar to a toy at the Dollar Store, putting quarters in the gumball machines at the mall, making cookies for neighbors, and writing letters to people who were important to us.
- Idea #2: Have a cookie decorating or baking (if the kids are older) contest. Don’t have cookie cutters? Don’t buy them; use a knife to cut a shape or a glass to make a circle.
- Idea #3: Scavenger Hunt. Plan a walk through the neighborhood or a drive through town. Already have planned where you will go and make a list of things they should try to find on the walk or drive.
- Idea #4: Hot cocoa and look at lights. Not going to lie; you may end up with spilled hot chocolate, so you could take popcorn instead.
- Idea #5: Lay under the Christmas tree and read Christmas books. Get all of the pillows and covers, and get comfy. Who knows, the glow of the lights may just put you to sleep, and you have an overnight stay under the tree.
- Idea #6: Watch a Christmas movie. How can anyone watch Elf and not have a smile on their face?
- Idea #7: Go to a church Christmas activity. You could fill your schedule with plays, caroling, and musical performances, at all of the churches.
- Idea #8: Go to a Christmas parade. Nothing to make you feel like a kid again than going to a Christmas parade and eagerly waiting for Santa.
- Idea #9: Volunteer. Volunteering has been proven to be a mood booster. Helping others can take away the feeling of sadness or stress that may be feeling. Plus, it is a great thing to teach your kids.
- Idea #10: Crank up the music and decorate the tree together. Turn on Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and dance and decorate.
- Idea #11: Make an ornament together. There are so many cute and inexpensive ornaments you can make. The most recent one I have seen is made from melting plastic disposable cups and is so cute, and you probably already have all you need.
- Idea #12: Decorate a gingerbread house together. Let go of the idea that it needs to be perfect. Remember to add a few extra candies, so you can enjoy nibbling and still have plenty to use for decorating.
- Idea #13: Make Christmas cards for friends and family. Bring out anything you have lying around that could be used and get creative. Paper, ribbon, markers, paint, glue, photos, buttons, tiny pom poms…
- Idea #14: Have a snow day. You can do this any day of the year. When our schedules got a little hectic, I declared an upcoming day a snow day. We would lock the doors, we didn’t leave, and no one could come over. We stayed in our pajamas; I ate finger foods, nibbled all day, watched movies, played games, and read. My kids still talk about snow days, and now that the oldest is 27 years old, he will occasionally call and say he needs a snow day.
- Idea #15: Make something like these cute painted mugs to keep or give as gifts.
Don’t let the guilt of divorce cause you to overvalue how much you spend and undervalue the memories you create.
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Wishing You The Best Holiday Season
This holiday season, instead of spending a fortune on gifts that your kids will forget about in a few months, why not give them something that will last a lifetime? Take them on a new adventure, or spend some quality time together doing something fun. They’ll never forget the time you spent together, and it will be a memory that they can treasure forever. So don’t let this holiday season pass you by without making some new and wonderful memories with your kids! I wish you the very best holiday season!
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