Reimagining Christmas

As the holiday season quickly approaches, many of us feel pressured to create the perfect gifts for our loved ones. But what if this year (or if we're too far in already, next year), we put aside the materialistic aspects of Christmas and birthdays and focus on creating new family traditions that prioritize presence over presents? It brings out our better natures and also helps protect Mother Nature by avoiding overconsumption.

One way to reimagine Christmas is to plan a day of volunteer work as a family. Find a local charity or community organization that could use extra help during the holiday season, and spend the day giving back to those in need. Not only will you be doing something meaningful together, but you'll also be setting an excellent example for younger family members.

Another idea is to plan a family game night or movie marathon. Instead of exchanging gifts, spend the evening playing board games or watching holiday movies together. You could even make it a potluck and have each family member bring their favourite snack or treat.

If you want something more active, consider planning a family hike or snowshoeing adventure. Spending time in nature is a great way to relax and recharge, and it's a fun activity that everyone can enjoy together.

One of my favourite traditions comes from Iceland. On Christmas Eve, families exchange books and eat chocolate while reading all night. That sounds like a dreamy way to spend time together, and it's something we will be trying out this year!

Memories are precious and can last a lifetime, bringing us closer together. That's why our family has given our little one a Raffi concert in Vancouver this year. Just like I did as a child, our little one is learning Raffi's music, and we can't wait to see the joy of live music lighten up his face. This gift is not just about the concert, but also about the quality time we will spend together as a family. We are excited to create memories that will last a lifetime and cherish our time together. Ultimately, the joy of gifting experiences lies in the present moment and the memories we will carry with us for years to come.

Whatever you choose to do, the most important thing is to focus on spending quality time together as a family. By creating new traditions that prioritize presence over presents, you'll make memories that will last a lifetime. So this Christmas, let's put aside the stress of gift-giving and focus on what matters – spending time with those we love.

PS: Just a reminder, Raffi is an inspirational badass! He lives on Salt Spring Island, just around the "corner' from our neck of the woods. His foundation's work, which you can check out at https://raffifoundation.org/, is focused on his concept of Child Honouring. This concept includes nine principles: respectful love, diversity, caring community, conscious parenting, emotional intelligence, nonviolence, safe environments, sustainability, and ethical commerce.