We all do it, we dream of the perfect Christmas. We dream of families gathering around the table for a delicious meal with smiles on their faces and love in their hearts. We dream of loads of gifts under the tree and having each member of the family present to open their ideal gift. We think about how grateful all of our children everyone will be and how filled with joy.
Sometimes we dream of the snow falling gently on the ground while we sit by the fire playing board games with children that lovingly take turns and say please and thank you. Oh, and don’t throw a tantrum if they lose.
Oh, yes…We dream
Then we snap back to reality and it’s easy to allow a flood of emotion crowd out Christmas. I realize that many have these wonderful family experiences during the holidays. Believe it or not, we have too! Oh yes, even the board game part. Ooooh what a cherished memory that was.
Honestly though, our life is anything but picture perfect. So I wanted to share with you the 10 ways we have found to have the perfect Christmas…when life isn’t perfect.
- Change your idea of what the “perfect” Christmas looks like. As a society we have really gotten a lot of our ideas of what Christmas and the holiday season “should” look like from movies, books and magazine articles. Don’t even try to measure up. Your family is unique and “perfect” for you!
- Don’t compare your family to other families. You do not know what the inner workings of a family really are unless you are IN the family or are very, very close to a family. Stay focused on your own family and find the good.
- If you are a blended family, do not compete with the other parent for Christmas gifts. Give what your heart (and pocket book) decide to give and let it be enough.
- Whether you are a blended family or you have grown children married with spouses, Do Not lay guilt on them for wanting and sometimes needing to go to another family function, rather than to your house.
- Accept your family just the way it is and embrace it. Life is too short to be anxious over things that you cannot control..by the way don’t try to control it (them)!
- Remember what the season is truly about. Having a thankful heart and celebrating the Birth of our Savior. Focus on this and get into Gods Word!
- Realize that one Christmas does not define all future holidays. I have found that we do something different every year. Where do traditions come into this? A lot of traditions do not actually have to be done right on the holiday date, right?! They can be celebrated or done before or after. It’s really ok! You won’t be breaking any rules
- If you are struggling financially, explain this to the kids, they can take it..We have had several years when presents were small and inexpensive. Kids remember the time together, NOT what they got for Christmas.
- Allow and expect God to do miracles in your family and in your life even when things seem bleak!
- Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you may see Christmas in a different light this year.
Trust me, I’ve practiced these things. Christmas is always perfect around here these days, even when life isn’t perfect. It’s perfect because Christ is perfect and we are not. Life happens, seasons change, people are imperfect.
Let’s just stop where we are and say thank you to a wonderful Savior that didn’t come for a perfect world, He came for you and me and our imperfect families and friends.
What would you add to this list? Let’s make it 100 ways to have the perfect Christmas!
