Recently, I watched a Periscope video by Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom, and she told that her family created a Christmas Bucket List this year. Each family member chose 1 or 2 activities that he/she wanted to do this Christmas.
I thought this was an inspired idea and couldn’t wait to share the idea with you. But why make a bucket list for Christmas? Isn’t that just another list of things you need to do during this busy season? Well, yes and no. There are 3 great reasons your family should make their own bucket list.
- A bucket list allows you to say no to things you don’t really want to do.
Friend lunches, cookie exchanges, church parties, shopping parties, volunteer opportunities. Does this sound familiar? There are never-ending ways to celebrate and a never-ending list of people who would like to have some of your time. Having a bucket list gives you permission to say no to activities that aren’t on the list. And who can question such a sweet “no”: “Because there’s so much going on this time of year, my family made a list of activities we want to do together. So I’m spending my free time doing those and can’t make it to your event.” - A bucket list ensures you make time for the things that are important to you and your family.
We can get so busy that the season passes and you realize you never found time to watch your favorite Christmas movie or attend the Singing Christmas Tree performance that you love. Having a written list and the accountability of sharing it with your family makes it more likely that you won’t miss your favorite Christmas traditions. - A bucket list is a great opportunity to create family traditions.
Making this list gives you an opportunity to think about what memories you want to make with your family and what activities you want to make a yearly tradition. It may be helpful to think about the time when your kids are grown and starting families of their own. When asked what their family always made time to do at Christmas, how would you want them to answer? After all, these same traditions may be passed down to your grandchildren.
So if you need a few ideas to help you start brainstorming types of activities, check out this list:
- Go see Christmas light displays.
- Watch a Christmas movie at home or at the theater.
- Make cookies or a gingerbread house.
- Attend your town’s Christmas parade or tree lighting ceremony.
- Volunteer somewhere as a family.
- Attend a Christmas play or program at a local church.
- Shop for and assemble a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.
- Read your favorite Christmas books together.
There are two traditions that my family does each Christmas. My grandmother started the first tradition of making candy. She has always made a variety, but my favorite is buckeyes (a.k.a. peanut butter balls). Another tradition that my mom started was going to see a movie on Christmas Eve. When I was younger, it was usually a Christmas movie like The Santa Clause, but as we’ve gotten older, we are happy to find any type of movie that’s worth spending $10 per person to see. Ha! A tradition that are starting at my house this year is The Jesse Tree Project, so we can make sure the focus is on Jesus rather than Santa.
What about you? What are some of your family traditions? Or what traditions do you plan to start this year?