If you’re among those parents whose utmost concern is to provide quality gifts for your friends and family, then you aren’t alone in this battle. As a provider for the entire family, our holiday countdown starts way sooner than anybody else’s. But what if we tell you that this time around, you don’t need to buy gifts or any other fancy items in order to have fun with your entire family?

Intriguing, isn’t it? Holidays are usually about expensive gifts and lavish parties, but this time, they don’t have to be like that anymore. There are other ways as well through which you can practice gratitude, and that too, with mindfulness.

Matthias Cooper/Unsplash | Instead of indulging in gift buying and feasting, this year during holidays, practice gratitude, and that too, with mindfulness

#1 – Engage yourself and your kids in family activities

Nowadays we associate festivals and holidays with expensive gifts, tours, big feasty meals, and whatnot. But if you really look back towards our culture and roots, you’ll realize that festivals and celebrations are all about spending quality time with your friends and family and being thankful for what you have.

A great way to do that is by indulging in group activities like going on hikes, walks, and enjoying that beautiful winter sun. Alternatively, you could indulge in activities like baking and decorating gingerbread houses or cookies with the young ones. Just keep yourself occupied and focus more on making memories and less on materialism.

Ignacio R/Unsplash | You could indulge in activities like baking and decorating gingerbread houses or cookies with the young ones to stay busy and away from materialism

#2 – Family volunteer work

It’s true that holidays are supposed to be spent with your loved ones, but what about those who don’t have a family or enough funds to enjoy Christmas? As a family, it should be your duty to share your happiness with people or families who are less fortunate.

Do something to make them happy, and trust us, you’ll never regret that. Talk to your children; ask them, is there someone who they want to help? For sure they’ll come up with a bunch of names. If everything goes correctly, who knows, volunteering might become a family holiday activity around your household.

#3 – DIY your presents

Preparing something from your own hands, efforts, and resources, makes that one gift a memorable one. Imagine your entire family making gifts for one another and exchanging them on Christmas night. Sounds like a fun activity, doesn’t it? Also, these presents will hold so much of love, affection, and respect, sentiments that will always prevail in your heart.

Sigmund/Unsplash |Preparing something from your own hands, efforts, and resources, can engage the whole family and make that one gift a memorable one

Takeaway

In today’s gadget-oriented times, kids today don’t understand the real meaning of holidays. For them, they’re like that time of the year when all their wants and wishes can come true. But TBH, that’s not what they should remember this time for. Holidays shouldn’t be about extravagant gifts and huge bills. Instead, they should be about memories and great times.

Minnie Lane