Do you feel you make the most of family time at Christmas?

Christmas is a time for family, food, and festivities. It's a time to slow down, appreciate our loved ones, and create cherished memories together. However, with the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be challenging to make the most of this special time. Many people become extremely stressed and burned out during the Christmas period too. And, we also need to consider those who do not have family or blood relatives who need taking care of too.

If you are lucky enough to have family or close friends to connect with over Christmas then I want to share some tips! Include those friends that have become family by choice too!

Plan Ahead

The key to making the most of family time this Christmas is to plan. Start by setting a date for when you want to get together with your family. This could be on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or even on a different day during the holiday season. In my family, it is now Christmas Eve at my parent's house for my niece's birthday each year and we have stayed home for Christmas Day dinner the last 2 years. This year my Dad has finally agreed to let someone else cook. Guess who that someone else is? Me! Which means I will be cooking for 15 people on Christmas Day this year.
Once you have a date in mind, start planning the activities, meals, and outings you want to do with your family. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no last-minute surprises or disappointments.

All Hands On Deck!!

Christmas should be a time for everyone to come together and enjoy each other's company. To make this happen, involve everyone in the planning process. Ask for their input on activities and meals, and make sure that each person's interests are taken into consideration.
You can also assign tasks to different family members, such as decorating the house or cooking a special dish. This not only takes some of the burden off one person but also creates an opportunity for bonding and teamwork.
My sister has been looking up simple and low-cost fun games we can play as a family on Christmas Day, my Dad will still cook the ham, I will be doing the rest and I will designate some tasks for my two brothers at some point and hope they get done!

Disconnect to connect!

In today's digital age, it can be tempting to constantly check our phones and scroll through social media, even during family gatherings. However, this can take away from the quality time we spend with our loved ones.
This Christmas, make an effort to disconnect from technology and focus on being present with your family. This means putting away your phone and truly engaging in conversations and activities. Try out some games, we will be playing Pigeon Hole, blindfold scooping, and cutting flour with cards to win the coin, a little bit like at Halloween!
I have ordered a GIANT skipping rope and if it’s not raining or icy I hope to get us out for some old-fashioned skipping and to all feel like children again.

Don't be afraid: Create New Traditions

While it's nice to stick to old traditions, creating new ones can add an extra element of excitement and meaning to the holiday season. Ask your family members for ideas on new traditions you can start, such as baking a special dessert together or watching a Christmas movie marathon.

Not only will this bring everyone closer together, but it will also create lasting memories for years to come.

As I said earlier, this year we are breaking tradition and I am cooking our Christmas Day dinner. Many years ago we had started a tradition where I would cook a Christmas Morning Fry up and all the family would come see us as I was the only one at the time with children, then we would all go do our ‘visiting’ with relatives and meet later that evening for dinner at my parent’s house. I spent a few years eating 2 Christmas Dinners as well! One with my in-laws at lunchtime and then with my parents late that night.

When my siblings began to have children and wanted to have Christmas Eve and morning at my parents we stopped doing breakfast at my house and only met at my parent's for dinner. It’s okay for things to change, evolve and grow as your family does too.

The Meaning of Christmas

Amidst all the planning and excitement, it's important to remember the true meaning of Christmas – spending time with our loved ones and showing them how much they mean to us. Take a moment to reflect on what this holiday means to you and your family, and make sure that is at the forefront of all your activities and celebrations.
My son loves us to play the ‘3 loves’ game around the table- we say 3 things we love about each person at the dinner table

Remember to have a plan, get everyone involved, disconnect from technology, create new traditions, and keep the true meaning of Christmas in mind.

Do you have any tips and traditions you can share?

Have a Merry Christmas filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.
Nollaig Shona Dhiabh
Aislíng