Experience a memorable family Christmas.

As parents, we want to make every holiday season as memorable as possible for our children and our families. Memories filled to the brim with feelings of warmth, compassion, and excitement are what make the family Christmas or other holiday celebrations worth the effort.

Here are seven ways you can achieve your goal of celebrating a beautiful holiday with those you love most.

1. Try a new family tradition or spice up an established one.

For many families, the holidays are all about celebrating annual traditions. There is something special about nostalgic holiday traditions that feel familiar but nonetheless exciting.

If your family doesn’t yet have any holiday traditions or you’re looking for a way to make a well-loved tradition a little more fun, here are some ideas:

• Open pajama presents on Christmas Eve and wear them when opening presents on Christmas day.
• Do something exotic or random for Christmas Eve dinner.
• Put together a DIY hot chocolate decorating bar for your Christmas movie marathon.
• Start a holiday decor collection and add a new piece every year.
• Celebrate the evening with a Christmas carol sing-a-long.
• Honor a loved one with a memento heart ornament.
• Play Secret Santa or do a White Elephant gift exchange.

2. Look for local activities to combine the holidays with community.

Plano is a wonderful place to raise a family, and our community has a lot to do with it. Include our community in your holiday festivities by partaking in some local activities.

Here are a few ideas that are in Plano or within a short drive:

• Listen and even sing along to Christmas favorites at the PSO Home for the Holidays event.
• See holiday lights and the animated Christmas tree at The District at Willow Bend. Some nights you can even catch Santa and his reindeer.
• Drive through Deerfield to see the neighborhood’s famous Christmas light decorations.
• Visit Christmas Village for some early Christmas shopping with local vendors. There’s also a petting zoo for the kids, music, and delicious food.
• Give back to kids in the community by participating in the Angel Tree program.

3. Experiment with healthier takes on classic Christmas dishes.

Every family member has their absolute favorite holiday dish, but there are plenty of ways to make holiday meals a little more healthy than usual. You might even be surprised that your kids find a new, healthy recipe to be even tastier than the traditional version!

Here are some delicious recipes you might want to try with your family:

• Homemade and Healthy Green Bean Casserole
• Lightened Sweet Potato Streusel Casserole
• Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Squash
• Maple Roasted Beets and Carrots
• Dijon Maple Glazed Spiral Ham

Don’t forget to check out these healthy and fun Christmas snacks for kids!

4. Turn off the TV and have fun with games and crafts.

Christmas movie marathons are fun, but too much TV can take away from quality family time. Turn off the tube and get your kids engaged in some holiday-themed games, crafts, and other activities.

Here are a few super fun ideas for kids of all ages:

• Poke-a-Tree Game
• Pin the Heart on the Grinch Game
• Jingle Bell Toss Game
• Make Homemade Ornaments
• Make Homemade Christmas Wreaths

Hop on Google or Pinterest to find a plethora of crafts and games to keep all ages busy.

5. Divvy up the work so everyone has a chance to relax.

The holiday season means no work or school, but at-home “work” doesn’t exactly stop. Decorating for the holidays, setting up the Christmas tree, and visiting family and friends mean Christmas time is an incredibly busy time for parents and caregivers. There’s a lot of tidying up to do on a daily basis.

Since everyone is home, give yourself a break by divvying up the chores and household tasks that need to be done. You can use a Christmas chore wheel or make it a game by offering points for each chore, which can be redeemed for a prize or treat at the end of the day.

6. Be kind to yourself and indulge in some self-care.

The holidays are an incredibly rewarding time of year, but it’s also natural to feel some stress. As a parent, it’s easy to feel like your family’s entire Christmas experience is in your hands. For this reason, it’s important to take care of yourself and practice some self-care.

Take time to relax by yourself. Read a book, take a bath, or watch an episode of your favorite show in peace and quiet. If you have a partner who’s also feeling a bit overwhelmed, you might book a special dinner for just the two of you.

7. Be present with your family this holiday season.

Most importantly, be present with your family and your children as much as you can. When you’re spending time together, be in the moment rather than thinking about the past or future plans. Take pictures to look back on later, but try to keep screens away and really enjoy yourself. Cherish the feelings and experiences you have during this season of love, gratitude, and family.

Dr. Jeff and the team are available for your kids’ dental care needs during the holidays.

Kids’ dental care needs don’t stop just because it’s the holiday season. Since Christmas time often comes with candy canes, cocoa, and cookies, making sure your child is brushing and flossing twice a day is important. You can also book an end-of-the-year checkup and cleaning before or after the holidays.

In the event that your child develops a toothache or has a tooth injury, Dr. Jeff encourages you to call our Plano office for assistance. Our recording will guide you through to the urgent line if your child’s emergency occurs during non-business hours.