By Evan Page

The Christmas season is such a fun time to celebrate and show others how much we love and care about them. In the chaos of the holidays, sometimes we can get too caught up in the moment of wanting to make this season a special time that we forget how these little moments stack up ... especially with how the year 2020 has been. So, I felt like this might be a great reminder of how we can make this season special without creating entitlement in our children for the future.

1. Look for charitable opportunities.

Involving our children in ways to give back is a great opportunity to help them learn the art of serving. Looking at the needs of others can help us take the focus off of ourselves. This year, I had my two oldest children help me pick out presents for our Operation Christmas Child boxes. They helped me pick out canned goods for a food drive, and then they even helped me pick one or two presents to donate. It may have been hard for them in the short term, but in the long term, I hope it will make a positive impact.

2. Look for teachable moments.

If you buy gifts for someone, make sure your children think about what that person may want instead of what they want for themselves. Give them a look into empathy. If they pick a gift or ask for something really expensive, it’s okay to say that. It’s a great opportunity to help them understand finances. Taking a minute to look for growth opportunities for our children helps them realize this shouldn’t be a season of want.

3. Create a gratitude journal.

I always tell my kids, “If you choose to be grateful, you don’t have time to think about what you don’t have.” The funny part is, it’s also a great reminder to myself. Taking time to write or think about one or two things each day you are grateful for can help you create a positive mindset and a grateful heart.

4. Spend more time together than you do money.

Sometimes buying a gift can be an easy fix to the guilt we feel for spending so much time apart. But if you have to work a few extra hours to pay for that gift, maybe you should rethink what really matters. YOU. Spending time together and making memories is a significant part of the holidays. If you need to, start some traditions, and get the kids involved, they are excited about being together.

5. Look for ways to talk about the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

I vowed a long time ago that since we do Santa, I wouldn’t let my kids think Santa was a bigger deal than Jesus. There are many things we talk about over Christmas, but the thing we talk about most is Jesus. We talk about how He was a servant, how He was a gift to us from God, how He is a great teacher, and how He is who we should model our life after. Anything related to Christmas can be tied back to Jesus and who He is. Let’s not forget to make Jesus a priority, so hopefully, He will be a priority to our children as well.

Evan Page lives in Hilton Head Island with her husband, Stephen, and their three children, Merrick, Wake and Wells. She is currently a stay-at-home mom, and most of her days are filled, trying to capture adventures with her children on camera.