Christmas, a family ritual to be preserved

18 December, 2018

In the past few days, the days have gotten colder, the days are shorter, and it's already time to get out our heavy coats. Maybe you're already starting to feel that winter and Christmas decoration frenzy? Whether we want it or not, the "ritual" of Christmas cannot be ignored: festive decorations and music make our shopping a "wonderful" experience, and the delicately installed multicolored lights enhance our evening walks and our childlike wonder. But do our hearts always rejoice as this festive period approaches? Just as the time of year begins when everyone seems to want to reconnect and fraternize, we often find ourselves in demand here and there, with the consequences of fatigue, irritability, and a belly full of meat pies and various dishes.

Of course, in addition to stress, the holiday season also brings much pleasure and happy memories. And, although holiday traditions have remained largely the same for many years, I sometimes miss certain activities and other rituals that were instilled in me in my youth. I remember that incredible anticipation of Santa Claus putting gifts under the tree, waiting for the stroke of midnight before opening presents, the cookies and glass of milk I carefully placed near the illuminated tree, the "parties" that lasted all night...

Finally, I have the impression that some rituals from my childhood have disappeared or have been completely altered over the years. Could it be due to lack of time, lack of interest, necessity, or even because the child no longer necessarily plays the same role during winter festivities? Although we try to fully enjoy each family moment brought by the Christmas period, we also understand that family gatherings usually rhyme with the disruption of certain routines (going to bed later, waking up later, eating more, and getting "special" permissions). In fact, these moments can become a great learning opportunity for children. Here are some tips to achieve this:

  • Bake homemade cookies that the child can decorate themselves while developing their creativity.
  • Use a calendar to keep track of time and encourage learning numbers.
  • Build a snowman as a family. Take advantage of this moment to work on body parts and some spatial concepts (up, down, right, on, under).
  • Use the tree decorating time to work on the concept of quantity (How many blue baubles are there? Hang three stars on the branch).

Thinking about it, the important thing is certainly not the quantity of rituals, but rather their quality. It is possible that some personal and/or family traditions have been passed down to you by your parents, from one generation to the next. It is also possible that you have invented your own traditions or that certain holidays are no longer celebrated by your family. Nevertheless, it remains important that certain customs persist. In addition to enriching family ties, rituals help create good memories and can become a reassuring moment for the child, who can refer to them over time. Finally, it is up to you to continue them; let's rediscover our inner child and create our own magic!

 

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