As a military family, many times we do not have the opportunity to go home when the holidays roll around. It can be hard not seeing our families again regardless of it being physical or emotional distance that separates us, but that doesn’t mean that the holidays still cannot be a special and magical time for our own families. We have learned how to adapt to changes and use our plan b if needed. When it comes to celebrating Christmas when you are far from your family, here are our top 3 tips.
1: Make Your Own Traditions
One of the great things about celebrating the holidays in your home is setting new traditions. Traditions can be something great for children to look forward to each year and help provide that constant that they need from frequently moving. Some popular traditions include decorating the tree the day after Thanksgiving, driving around to see the lights on all the houses, advent calendars, or Elf on the Shelf. Our most favorite traditions include letting the kids pick out gifts for each other, baking cookies for our local first responders, wearing new pajamas the Elf leave on Christmas Eve, and baking pumpkin pie together! Creating new traditions and letting your children be part of the process is sure to create memories for years to come!
2: Your Own Family Comes First
There are times when the holiday season brings a heaviness from not having a close or healthy relationship with your extended family. The decision not to travel home to celebrate may or may not have been made easily. A good thing about staying home is being able to teach your own children the importance of each other. Make those memories time spent together – having game night, baking a new dish, and starting a new tradition. However you do it, your children will remember the special moments to grow stronger as a family.
Additionally, not making your children travel home to family will help teach your children the importance not putting yourself or others in toxic environments. No one wants to travel just to be stressed when you reach your destination, and children shouldn’t have to be around adults who may constantly fight. While it may be difficult to explain your decision, setting healthy boundaries now will help your children understand what is okay, and mirror the behavior themselves when needed.
3: Take a Family Trip
Sometimes the decision not to celebrate the holidays with family could be because you do not have that relationship, or you could be physically located somewhere that makes getting hard home. Many families will choose to forgo giving gifts and plan a big family vacation during the holidays instead. Warm and tropical places are always a big hit to escape the cold north, and cruises are always a favorite. If you find yourself on an overseas assignment and making it home isn’t in the cards, consider planning out a trip to a neighboring country or a location you’ve been planning to visit. The children will never forget the experience of waking up in a German castle on Christmas!
However you may be spending the holidays this year, we wish you a happy and healthy Holiday!
