Just before Christmas 2017 I shared a post about ‘presence’ over presents at Christmas [link at the bottom]. As a father, husband, son, brother, uncle, godfather and friend, I’ve gradually come to realise over the years that the magical time of Christmas is an opportunity for so much more than giving and receiving presents.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to give presents, and my kids in particular love opening them but what I’d really like to teach them by example, is how to be fully present and create rich memories.
As a large family we’ve been incredibly blessed with good health however this year has thrown us some challenges with one of the family going through chemotherapy. I’m overjoyed to say that it has been successful and celebrating together this Christmas with all of my family will be particularly special.
After a fantastic year in our property business and after pushing hard to finish strong all December I am looking forward to some awesome down time this Christmas. Not just relaxation but I mean really intentional memory making time with the ones I love.
I wanted to share a few ideas I picked up about we can all enhance the time we have with our loved ones and create enriching and lasting memories.
Here they are:
#1: CAPTURE THE MEMORIES
-make a conscious effort to pull the phone out and take some quality pictures of your loved ones laughing, playing, dancing etc (be sure not to bury your head in texts or social media, get back to that family party and really be there). Then after all the events, compile your photos into an online album to share with all those you created the memories with.
#2: FEEL THE MUSIC
-in advance of a family/friend gathering ask them to each send you a few of their favourite songs. Create a playlist for the gathering then enjoy the awesome atmosphere that you created.
#3: SPREAD THE LOVE
-write out a selection of thoughtful question prompts directed towards each of your family members/friends attending a meal with you. For example, “Something I love about [Name] is……”
“Something thoughtful {Name] has done for me is….”
“[Name] makes me laugh when he/she does….”
-have a few of these on each placemat and have everyone complete them to be read out later.
#4: BOX OF QUESTIONS
-write out a selection of questions that you would love to ask to learn more about your loved ones and put them into a little box
-during a family/friend meal have different people pick out a question to answer, this will prompt super engaging conversations
#5: TIME vs TRINKETS
-in place of impulse buying gifts to bulk up what’s under the tree, write out a Christmas card with a selection of experiences you will share with that person next year (I love that one).
#6: DON’T JUST GET TOGETHER, GIVE TOGETHER
-It has been said that families who give together make lasting and meaningful memories together.
-This might be organising a financial donation to a chosen charity, giving out soup and sandwiches to the homeless or any number of different chartiable things.
-This year my wife and I have organised a surprise dress up night with a twist, a little like a secret santa but with a big difference. For the name we picked out of the hat we have to buy a full outfit for them from a charity shop for £20 or less, and they have to wear it for the party night. There will be 17 of us so we will be donating in the region of £340 to various charities by buying up old clothes and random accessories, and then after the party we will be donating all the goods to Cancer Research for them to sell on again.
I hope some of these ideas resonate and help others out there to be fully PRESENT this Christmas and to create enriching memories.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas
Click here to read the 2017 Christmas post