4 Ways to focus on what’s important this Christmas

Published on Sun Nov 17 2019 in Family

December is a busy time of year. It can be easy to get caught up in everything that needs to be done before Christmas morning. With pressie shopping, baking goodies, organising summer holidays and so much more, it might feel hard to relax and enjoy the hard work you’ve put into not just this one day, but the entire year.

No matter what or how you celebrate, Christmas is a wonderful time to join together with family and reflect on the past 12 months and the years ahead. By taking a moment to focus on what really matters, you and your family could help create a more meaningful silly season tradition.

Here are four ways to focus on what’s important during Christmas, and all year round.

1. Limit gift giving

It’s easy for both children and adults to get carried away during the Christmas season. The prospect of receiving a mountain of gifts is exciting for little ones, and parents often feel pressure to give their kids “more than they had.” But how can you make Christmas about more than presents?

Curbing a case of the Christmas “gimmies” can be tough, but it starts with setting realistic expectations. Some families limit the number of gifts kids can put on their wish list or allow only one big, expensive present per child (or one they can share). Another strategy is using the “four gift rule.” Children are encouraged to ask for only four things: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. This can help kids learn to expect and want less at Christmastime and be more thankful for the gifts they do receive.

2. Focus on helping others

Christmas is a time of joy for many, but for some it can be stressful. Financial trouble, health issues or distance from family can put a damper on the holiday spirit. Providing help to your wider community could make someone else’s Christmas truly memorable!

Many charities and local businesses run toy drives during December to help make the holiday season special for those in need. Local shelters may welcome extra hands to help prepare and serve holiday meals, or you could donate to a food drive that helps families put a Christmas meal on their table. Local community programs or places of worship may organise volunteers to help those who are housebound with shopping or other chores. Or, you could simply invite someone spending Christmas alone to join you in your celebrations!

3. Make more time for family and friends

The lead up to Christmas can be busy. It seems to go by faster and faster every year! With so many errands and shopping to be done, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done and catch up with dear friends.

Whilst there may always be someone we’re unable to see during this busy time, there may be ways to make more of an effort. Often, people don’t prioritise the people they really care about. The company Christmas party may seem important now, but will it really bring the same warm memories as spending an evening with your extended family? Before RSVP’ing to an event, consider if it can be missed or put off until the new year. If the answer is yes, use this time to grab a cuppa with a friend or call a family member you won’t be seeing during the silly season instead.

4. Remember to thank everyone for their gifts

The buildup to Christmas is an exciting time. Everyone can get a little giddy watching presents pile up under the tree. And once we’ve unwrapped these new treasures, it’s easy to forget all the hard work that went into getting them there.

You may already be in the habit of thanking people for gifts as they’re received and encouraging your children to do the same. This is great, but you may want to take this a bit further. A thank you card or letter (even after a verbal ‘thank you’) is a great way to remind our children and ourselves to appreciate the gifts we’ve received and the thought that went into picking them out. Along with thanking the gift giver, you could include a photo or the pressie being used or describe why you love it.

Discover how Christmas is celebrated by other families around the world!

 

About Author: Momentum Life is a leading provider of Life insurance and Funeral insurance in New Zealand.

The content provided in this article is for information purposes only. The information is of a general nature and does not constitute financial advice or other professional advice. To the extent that any of the content constitutes financial advice, it is limited to Momentum Life products only and does not consider your specific financial needs or goals. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for you and seek independent professional advice, if required.

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