i used to scroll through instagram or facebook before a big holiday & feel that strong wave of disappointment & discontent overcome me. our home would begin to feel empty, our traditions purposeless & our family lacking.
if only we had children, our holidays would be more fun/meaningful/perfect/complete.
friends, life doesn’t end or begin when we have children.
luke & i now celebrate in big ways every holiday.
the easter bunny visits us, we make fancy breakfasts on valentine’s day & santa stuffs our stockings with chocolate. we create meaningful traditions as a family of two that we hope to share with our family of three or four.
because oftentimes the holidays we celebrate are not about the stuff or traditions, but about the people with whom we celebrate. & here’s the thing – my husband is worth celebrating.
let’s not wait until we have kiddos to decorate a christmas tree or prepare a big thanksgiving feast! cozy up with your love or invite your friends over & celebrate the season you’re in right now.
today i’d love to share with you some ideas that might inspire you to celebrate the holidays with or without children!
1. define what’s important to you.
when luke & i first married, we had different views of what’s important during the holidays. i’m a gift person & luke values quality time. we slowly began carving out traditions for our own family that value both aspects of who we are. i now take time to make a homemade birthday cake for luke & he surprises me with store-bought flowers.
2. continue the traditions of your childhood.
one of my favorite traditions of my childhood was waking up to stockings filled with little things. although we still celebrate christmas at my parents’ home, santa still remembers to stop by our own home & stuff those stockings for when we arrive home from our holiday travels. opening gifts & stockings with luke is cherished & an evening i look forward to each year.
3. create new traditions.
we have started a handful of traditions unique to our own family that we hope to one day share with our children. we create a month of meaningful activities during the month of december in an effort to savor each day & serve those around us. here’s a bit more about our diy advent calendar.
brainstorm with your partner fun traditions you could start with your family right now! it could be as simple as an easter sunday nap (i think we might have started that tradition this year & it’s definitely a keeper!).
4. decorate!
we purchase or make decorations for our home during the holidays. we have a large box of ornaments we place on the tree each year & a handmade birthday banner we hang on that person’s special day. we always write holiday sentiments on our dining room chalkboard & adorn the table with a fresh bouquet of flowers. it’s always exciting to prepare our home & hearts for the holidays!
how do you celebrate the holidays with or without children? please share!
love,
natalie