This post is part of the "How We Celebrate Christmas" -- a mini series showing how other families "do" Christmas. I hope you enjoy learning from other families as much as I have!
As always, this is not meant to stress us out or make us feel like we are doing Christmas wrong. Rather, my hope with this series is we can see that there are many RIGHT ways of celebrating. Hopefully some of these ideas will help you start your own meaningful family Christmas traditions.
Meet: Elizabeth and the Riley Family
1. Tell us about your family!
2. Tell us a favorite memory of Christmas past!
One of my favorite memories of Christmas past is that my dad would fix the most delicious chili verde. He would cook it the whole night starting in the evening of December 23rd, and it would be ready for Christmas Eve dinner! Often friends would stop in and join us for the meal on Christmas Eve, and there was always plenty to share. Looking back I know the chili verde was a delicious meal, but even more wonderful was the wonderful spirit of love in our home--something I hope is also present in our home now!
3. How do gifts work in your home?
4. If married, do you and your spouse exchange gifts? What about sibling gifts?
5. What special Christmas Eve traditions does your family have?
6. What special Christmas Morning traditions does your family have?
7. Do you have any favorite holiday recipes that make an appearance each year?
Chili verde and this yummy drink recipe that my mother-in-law shared with me: sherbet ice cream in a glass with Sprite and a little bit of egg nog. Oh my goodness--it is delicious!
8. Do you have any Christ-centered Christmas traditions you want to share?
9. What are some ways you have simplified Christmas to keep stress lower?
I suppose my answer to this is a bit of a continuation upon my previous answer, but I think it's important to be realistic about what I can actually accomplish as a mother to very active young children! So far I haven't found a way to do elaborate service projects, make neighbor gifts, send out Christmas cards, have amazing homeschool lessons, home make gingerbread houses, and fix a twelve course meal for Christmas Eve! It's just not happening at this point in my life! I can pick one or two things during this season--but I am learning to accept that it's okay and it's totally normal that I can't do everything! What I can do is take small moments with my children to bear my testimony of Christ or help my children do service for one another. And sometimes those little moments provide the most memorable lessons for children anyway.
Elizabeth shares more thoughts on Instagram @elizhriley and @scripturelight. You can also follow her homeschool & motherhood journey at RaisingRileys.com.
Thanks so much Elizabeth for reminding us it's okay to have seasons in our life!
Want more? You can find all the other "How We Celebrate" posts right here! There are so many real, good ideas you'll love!
Comments
No Comments