When our children were young, my husband and I felt like we were so busy with holiday plans and extended family parties that we barely spent time with our children. We decided to start a tradition of having a pre-Christmas get-away with just our 3 children. We lived in West Michigan and were only a couple hours away from some family ski resorts.  So on the weekend prior to Christmas, we escaped the craziness for a couple of days and created some fun family memories. What we found were pre-season prices and short lift lines. Apparently people were too busy to take time out for some pre-Christmas fun, so we enjoyed low prices and open spaces. Our little trips forced me to be organized and get everything done early, but it was worth the effort. We continued this tradition for years, and our children have fond memories of our annual get-aways.

If you are unable to get away for a day or two, choose an evening prior to Christmas when you can focus on just your kids. Drive around town to look at Christmas lights, visit a live Nativity, or stay home and watch a Christmas movie while you munch on popcorn. How you spend your time is not the important part. Spending quality time with your children at this busy time of year is what’s important. Think of it as a pre-Christmas gift with memories that will last.

Gifts

Some give gifts of gold and silver,
Some give clothes to wear.
Others shop for porcelain dolls
Or talking teddy bears.

Candy canes and choo-choo trains
Make young children smile,
But gifts wrapped up in boxes
only last a little while.

Hugs and kisses don’t wear out,
Kindness never fades.
Words of praise and compliments
Come in many shades.

Laughter needs no batteries,
It works in any weather.
And nothing is more comfortable
Than spending time together.

When searching for that perfect gift
Becomes a great concern,
Why not give the gift of love?
It often gets returned.

Here’s to happy pre-Christmas memories!

Crystal Bowman