It’s almost here, one of the best months of the entire year. If you’re into all things love and happiness like I am, then these Valentine’s Day ideas for kids will be right up your alley. 

Growing up as a Jehovah Witness we didn’t celebrate many holidays, so making Valentine’s Day special for kids is something I love to do. It fills my heart with so much joy watching their faces light up as we do crafts together or they read why their momma loves them so much! I’m sure there’s an extra little push somewhere in there to make up for the things I missed out on. But who’s actually keeping track?

Valentine’s Day Craft Ideas

Creating crafts with my kids is always loads of fun. Sike. Who am I kidding? I can’t stand it. My perfectionism kits in and I end up overwhelmed and overstimulated from the “mess.” But since I’m a momma, I suffer through it anyway. That is until I found some valentine crafts for kids that are actually fun. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still messes to be made, but at least you can enjoy the mess and actually make some good memories.  

For these arts and crafts to do with kids on Valentine’s Day grab some hot cocoa with the little marshmallows, let go of the need for everything to be perfect, and enjoy your kids. I’m speaking mostly to myself here, however feel free to heed the above advice as well. I know it’s easier said than done, though. 

1.  Paper Heart Mobile or Garland

Setting aside the millions of pieces of construction paper you may have laying around afterwards, this craft is on the cleaner side. Grab any color (or multiple) of construction paper you’d like, string (fishing lure if you’d like it to be invisible), tape (double sided if you’re fancy) and scissors. 

The best part about this, hearts come in so many different sizes and shapes that embracing the inevitability of our kids creating misshapen hearts will actually make this craft better! Bring on the creativity and even cut inside some of the hearts to make “heart frames”. The number of hearts you create will depend on how long you want your garland to be. 

After the hearts have been cut out, lay out the string on a flat surface. Place each heart along the string, making the spacing between them as close to even as possible. No biggie if it isn’t though. Since this will be hanging no one will notice. Once everything has been laid out, tape the hearts on, hang, ignore the lopsided hearts, construction paper that somehow made it into your child’s hair and enjoy! 

2.  Heart-Shaped Crayon Wreath

Okay, so I think you’ll like this one for sure. No construction paper or cutting involved at all. Already off to a good start, right! To make this craft, you can purchase a heart shaped wreath or use cardstock and create your own. Once you have your base (the wreath) grab the crayons. Get creative and make a pattern using only red, pink and white or use every color and make it a rainbow heart. Either way you can’t go wrong. You are going to glue the crayons onto the base. Again here you can’t really go wrong. I’d recommend gluing them all in one direction but rotating might look just as cool. To make this easier, a hot glue gun would work well, but super glue is also an option. 

3.  Painted “You Rock” Valentines Rocks

A huge fan of painting rocks, my oldest absolutely loves this. With there being several ways to go about it, the level of mess here is really up to you. There are kits you can purchase that come with the perfect rocks, paint, and even gemstones. If you are more on the adventurous side ( and by this I mean you have the patience to do so), go outside and find some rocks. The smoother the easier they are to paint. Pro Tip: The closer to a body of water you find them the smoother they will be. Rock paint (and markers) can be found at your local craft store too. Once you have all the supplies, lay out some trash bags, put on some smocks and let the kids go at it. These typically take a few hours to dry. 

4.  Homemade Valentines Box

No matter what you plan to use it for, we give our kids “love letters” the entire month of February so making DIY valentine boxes work out perfect for us. Or if you child needs one for school, this is a fun craft that can easily take on a life of its own. From something simple to a box that is more involved and has tons of details the possibilities and mess level, are endless here. Pro Tip: Take some of the work off your own hands and buy a premade box so you only need to decorate it. 

5.  Painted Noodle Necklaces

If you’re an adult, you’ve probably made a noodle necklace at least once in your life. And if not, then now is as good of a time as ever. Supplies outside of noodles of course, include paint, string, and any additional decorations you think your child may like. This can include gems, beads, different shapes, really anything. Pro Tip:  Keep in mind that when it comes to making a necklace, the bigger the noodle the easier it is to string. Especially for small hands, so rigatoni is a good choice here. This one can get kind of messy, but putting down trash bags (or brown paper bags) or some type of protectant on the floor will make that less likely. And don’t forget paint smocks. 

6.  Button & Bead Picture Frame

Another classic from my childhood and I know I’m dating myself here. Here me out, while this is probably one of the messier ones, and ultimately will need more patience, it is also one of the sweetest. I mean, what grandparent doesn’t want to display a picture of their grandchild in the picture frame made by said grandchild. 

For this, head to your local craft store and get an array of buttons, beads, and other small accessories. Varying the sizes and color of each will make this even more fun. While you’re at it, go ahead and mentally prepare yourself to be finding beads for weeks to come. In some of the strangest places too. 

For the actual frame you can choose paper or wood. I suggest laying out the pattern or design the beads and buttons will be in before gluing anything down. That way, if anything needs to be adjusted or moved you can do so easily. Once your child has everything laid out just how they’d like, start gluing. A hot glue gun or super glue could work for either frame choice above. 

Valentine Gift Ideas For Kids

When it comes to valentine goodies for kids my first thought is always candy. Chocolate actually. And while there isn’t anything wrong with giving chocolate or any other candy, if you’re looking for some none treat based alternatives, check out the list below:

7. The Gift of Time

One thing we can never get back is our time. It is something that is so precious but often taken for granted. Gift your child the gift of some special one on one time for valentine’s day. Maybe you guys head out on a date, or have a movie night right in your living room. Whatever it is, remember it’s not the activity as much as it is the experience. So worry less about making it fun, and focus solely on loving on them, and speaking their love language. 

8. “All About You” Gift Baskets

Who knows your child better than you? No one right! So making them an all about you gift basket is the perfect way to show this. Get a few of their favorite things, things they’ve been asking for, and even some things that remind you of them and put them in a basket. Nothing says I love you more than a personalized basket full of gifts picked out specifically for someone. And guess what, since no child is involved in making this, the possibility of a mess is very low. 

9. Fancy Family Photoshoot

Valentine Photoshoots are so much fun! And they don’t have to be in a studio either. Get creative and have fun in the process. This year we took ours to Target. It was so much fun playing around in their Valentine decor while making memories with the kids. 

10. Friendship Bracelet Kit 

My daughter loves anything that involves a bracelet and I’m a huge fan of the variety this craft offers. You can make bracelets that need no other supplies beside string, add some beads if you’re in the mood to be picking them up for the next few weeks, or go for less on the accessories, which means less of a mess, while still delivering a big bang. Finally, you can also purchase some pre-made ones and make everyone’s life easier. 

11. Hot Cocoa Bombs

These are newer, well at least to me, and definitely something I want to try and make. From reading different recipes it doesn’t seem too hard. Now with me being about as good at baking as I am at keeping plants alive (which has been an absolute disaster) I am not at all about to pretend I can walk you through making these. Instead check out this recipe here. 

Kid-Friendly Valentine Decoration Inspiration 

Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be any fun without valentine decorations for kids. It’s a way to really get the kids excited for the day. But also, who doesn’t love pops of red and pink all over their home. One way to make Valentine’s Day special for kids is to even decorate their rooms. Most of these decorations can be used in multiple places. 

12. Foam Heart Walls

Easy and quick with a huge impact, foam hearts are an easy way to decorate any wall. They come in a variety of sizes too! Bonus for the easy set up and clean up. Add an extra dose of love and write affirmations on a few of  them. 

13. Deck the Doors with Hearts

This is one of my favorite Valentines traditions. Every year for the entire month of February we put heart shaped loved notes on our kids doors. Then in the morning they get to read their new note. You may think it would be hard to come up with 28 new things to love about your child every day, and sometimes I struggle. When I’m having trouble I do a quick Google search of different ways to tell your child you love them. 

14. DIY Posters

What’s cuter than a homemade poster to hang in your room from your mom? Easy to assemble, especially if you have a cricut, create an entire poster dedicated to how amazing and special your child is!  Another great option is to create something on Canva and have it printed somewhere. 

15. Candy-Filled Mason Jars

I know, I know, I mentioned earlier I would refrain from anything candy related, but how could you blame me. Anything that involves a mason jar is basically mandatory. You can line your fireplace, add some to your entryway table, or use the jars as part of your Valentine tablescape. Use red and pink colored candies like M&M’s, gumballs, or any other candies that are the right colors. Use a Valentine Day themed cupcake wrapper secured with some twine to make it extra cute. 

16. Melted Crayon Heart Art

So first, as I’m sure you don’t already own one of these, you are going to need a heart shaped silicone baking tray. You will be happy to know, this is on the lower end of mess. Literally just taking crayons, removing the paper wrapping and putting them into the baking dish. From there let them melt in the oven for 15 – 20 minutes at 250 degrees. Talk about easy. Oh, don’t forget to break the crayons (if you’re lucky enough to even have whole crayons in your home). But don’t be like me and feel bad for it. I don’t know why but for some reason I always feel like I’m about to get in trouble for breaking crayons. And no, do not ask how often I’m breaking crayons. 

17. Heart Doilies Tablescape 

I have found memories of paper doilies from my childhood. So a tablescape made with heart shaped doilies holds a special place in my heart. Decorate your table in a variety of ways with paper doilies and don’t be afraid to add other things. Such as those melted crayon hearts I mentioned earlier. 

Valentine’s Day Meal Ideas

Of course Valentine’s means a special meal. Making some fun valentine’s day recipes for the kids will definitely make them feel loved. No matter if you are making valentine treats for little kids or Valentine day lunches for your school aged kids, they are sure to love it. 

18. Heart Pretzels

Here’s another chance to use that baking mold you just got! If you haven’t tried baked pancakes, it’s a thing. An amazing thing at that. But if you’re more of a stovetop person, you can still create heart shaped pancakes. Actually, you have options. Choose from a cookie cutter or a pan that has hearts already molded into it. 

19. Pink Milk

Add natural red food coloring to your favorite milk for a fun Valentine day drink. Or even use it for a bowl of cereal for some extra giggles. 

20. Heart-Shaped Fruit Salad

Grab the heart shaped cookie cutters and have some fun! Watermelon and strawberries are perfect fruit for cutting into hearts. Add some cherries, blueberries and a little pineapple for some texture and pops of color. 

21. Love-Themed Waffle Bar for Breakfast

The words waffle and bar literally give me so much joy. Grab all your favorite toppings, your waffle maker, whip up some batter and call everyone down for breakfast. It’s that simple! Fruits, chocolate, preserves, whatever you can imagine. Don’t forget the powdered sugar, syrup and honey. Warning you now, this will result in lots of mess but also lots of laughs. 

22. Chocolate Fondue Fountain 

Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a fondue fountain in their kitchen as a kid! And the best part, there is literally nothing that doesn’t taste good covered in chocolate. Pretzels, fruit, bacon, crackers, there are so many options here. 

23. Mini Heart Donuts 

Hack: make homemade donuts from a can of biscuits in your airfryer for even more love. One of my favorite recipes takes less than 20 minutes. 

Pop up your biscuits (I prefer the plain ones) and start creating your donuts. You an use a cookie cutter, scissors or your hands to get the shape you want. Next combine cinnamon, sugar and melted butter together. Once its blended together well, cover your donuts and add them to the airfryer. Cook for 7-9 minutes and boom! Yummy at home donuts. 

24. Heart-y Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is a level of comfort food that screams the person who made this loves you. Cut the bread into hearts before cooking for some extra pizazz. 

Meaningful Valentine Projects for Kids

Looking for some valentine ideas for children that will have more meaning behind it? Because yes, being showered with love is great, but we are raising emotionally healthy humans who can also shower others with love. 

25. Handmade Cards for Your Children’s Classmates

Taking time to create their own valentine cards will not only spark their creativity but also help teach some good lessons. Valentine card ideas for kids can go one of two ways. Super messy and not so messy. So depending on your level of commitment will dictate that. 

26. A Random Act of Kindness

Something I believe we all should do way more often, showing a stranger a random act of kindness is the perfect way to show love on Valentines day. Something like picking up the tab for the person behind you in a drive thru, having your child help a neighbor bring in their groceries or even helping a younger sibling with their homework are some examples. 

27.  Paper Airplane Love Notes for Family

I know us moms like the idea of non-candy Valentines every once and awhile. Especially with the amount of candy Valentine can bring home. Well this paper airplane doubles as “the toy” and the Valentine in one! 

28. Decorate Sugar Cookies for a Neighbor

Let’s face it, we all love Sugar Cookies. Plus they are one of the easier cookies to bake, which means less mess. No I haven’t forgotten about that. Don’t’ forget to decorate them with sprinkles and icing in red and pink to spread the love.

29. Serve at a Homeless Shelter

Something many may not think of, volunteering at a homeless shelter can be meaningful in a number of ways. Not only will it remind our children to be grateful for what they have, but it can also help install some important values. Things like being kind to others no matter their circumstances. Or the realization that one decision could lead them to something similar. 

30. Bake & Deliver Brownies to Local Fire Station

Such a sweet gesture. Be mind of any allergies and opt to make them nut free. You may also need to check with your local station prior to baking. I know a lot of protocols have changed over the years.

Conclusion

So mama whether you were looking for craft, treats, or activities I hope these fun, easy and unique Valentine’s Day Ideas for kids helped you a ton. And I am hoping even more that it helps you create some special moments with your kids. As messy, or not so much, as you’d like them to be.

The post 30 Ideas to Make Valentine’s Day Special for Kids appeared first on Not So Perfect Momma.

Moments and experiences are what we hold on to. Stuff can only make someone happy for so long. Soon after receiving a gift, it’s long forgotten. Instead of giving things that may end up broken or lost, gift experience based presents for Christmas to make lasting memories with those you hold closest. 

What Exactly Is an Experience Gift?

 If you are a minimalist then this will be right up your alley. 

Sometimes also called experiential gifting, presenting an experience based gift instead of a physical one is a way to give more than just material things.

Instead of spending hours running from store to story on Black Friday looking for the perfect gift. People are prioritizing memories over things and it’s a wonderful thing to witness in person. 

Why Gift Experiences This Christmas Instead of Traditional Presents? 

Experiences in many ways are priceless, as they help shape who we are as individuals and give us broader perspectives in life.

Creating memorable experiences that’ll allow you to live life to the fullest is what life is about. So many people regret not experiencing more in life, as opposed to not buying more. 

Moving away from buying more things creates potential for memories that can bring you and those you love closer. 

What are the best experience gifts? I’ve put together a list of some of our favorites as well as some I have on my bucket list. After doing tons of research on this I’ve seen some amazing ideas and can’t wait to share them. So let’s jump right in. 

Best Christmas Gift Experiences for Kids

Depending on the age of your child, what’s considered the “best” can differ drastically. With that in mind this list will have a variety of fun experiences for Christmas gifts for all ages. There will be some experience gifts perfect for toddlers, some best for school age, teenagers and of course a few for all ages. 

1. Day Trip to the Children’s Museum 

Children’s Museums are great family activity christmas gifts. Good for all ages, you are sure to have some fun and a little bit of learning too. Children’s museums often have tons to do the weeks before and after Christmas, so this is a perfect opportunity to make the most out of this gift. 

2. A Crafts Subscription Box 

The gift that keeps on giving. Subscription boxes are the perfect experience gift because you’ll get something new each month to create. Bring back the same joy and excitement as when they opened their first box. Make it even more special by creating with your kiddo. 

3. Night at the Theater

Did you know you can rent out the movie theaters now? I bet you also didn’t know you can bring your own gaming console and hook it up to the screen. Talk about playing in HD! Could you imagine the look on any kid’s face when they walk into the theater and realize it’s been rented out just for them.

4. Zoo Trip

Animals make everything fun so a trip to the zoo is always a good time. Plus this is a great gift that can quickly turn into a family tradition for parents and baby. Even more so during Christmas since most zoos have so much to offer. Things like Christmas with the animals, one on one with animal trainers and other special experiences. Pro tip, get a membership and you can get even more great perks. 

5. Adventure of Their Choice 

I’ve seen this done a few ways. From granting your child a “Yes” day where you aren’t allowed to say no. No matter how outrageous the idea. To ask them what the best day ever would look like to them and making it happen. Whatever path you decide to take, this is one of those unique gift experiences they’ll never forget. 

6. Theme Park Vacation 

Theme parks never go out of style and there is always something for everyone. From toddlers to teenagers, the variety of rides and activities at any given theme park are sure to please your whole family. 

Wondering how to go about giving this experience? I’m always down for a surprise, so I’d say pack the kiddos in the car and don’t tell them where you are going until you arrive. 

7. A Day Getting All Dolled Up with the Girls 

What princess wouldn’t love this. Especially if, like my daughter, they spend most of their days being the only girl in a house full of her brothers. 

Invite all her friends over, lay out the pretend make up and dress up clothes and let them have at it. Don’t forget tons of snacks, all the best movies, and a no boys allowed policy to really bring this gift to life! 

8. Special Lunch with a Family Member 

Planning a special lunch with their favorite person adds a little extra touch that is sure to make them smile. Ask the family member to go the extra mile, if they’re able. Then have your baby get all dressed up as if going on a date and make sure they are picked up in style. 

9. One-on-One Time with Mom and Dad 

Think of something special that particular child would love to do or let them decide. Heck, you don’t even have to leave the house. Carving out time to sit and watch a movie together or chat about what’s been going on in their life can be just as special. 

10. Visit to the Rock Climbing Wall or Trampoline Park 

Places like Fearless, SkyZone or any others kill two birds with one stone. Get all that energy out AND make some great memories with you and your babies. Don’t be afraid to climb up that wall or jump with them. 

11. “Coupon” to Summer Camp 

This is a cute idea that can be delivered in a few ways. A homemade coupon book with lots of options including one for summer camp. Or maybe you put together a box of things your child would need for a summer camp. These could be put into their own individual envelopes and decorated. Then the final envelope could have a flyer about a summer camp. 

12. Scavenger Hunt 

One of my favorites and a great Christmas morning tradition. Take the borning out of the present opening by creating a scavenger hunt for the presents. Or maybe a hunt filled with clues to the location you plan to take them to, or a scavenger hunt outside that ends in a big prize. There are so many possibilities and all of them are sure to be loads of fun. 

13. BFF Sleepover

Have you seen those cute sleepovers that involve tents for everyone and all the cute robes / coordinated gifts? Man I wish there was something similar when I was a kid. It looks like so much fun and I am sure any kid would have a blast. 

Experience Gifts for Mom or Dad

This has to be in my favorite top 10 experience gifts of all time. And it’s not because I’m a mom. Well maybe a little, lol. 

14. A Day Off

As a mother we all know how valuable a day off can be. But have you ever thought of giving dad one too. Funny thing, my husband and I just discussed this the other day. As much as he tries to make sure I have self care time and alone time it truly never dawned on me that he needed the same. So this is a great gift for either mom or dad. Or maybe grandparents can give both of you a break! 

15. Spa Day

If you’re scratching your head looking for a Christmas experience gift for mom, look no further. Just the thought of a relaxing massage, a nice foot rub and a facial has me so excited. Get a gift certificate to a spa close to you or find someone to come to your home. You could make it even more special and try to do all these things on your own. 

16. Golf Trip 

If you live near a golf course this is an exciting experience to give. Most even have golf clubs you can rent. Not really into golfing, you don’t have to be. With places like Top Golf they’ve made it way more fun! 

17. Romantic Dinner at Home Cooked by You

Set the mood with some candles and soft music playing in the background. Dinner at home can be better than going out to a restaurant. Make sure to still get dressed up as if you were heading out to add to the experience. Pro tip, if you aren’t that great of a cook, have something delivered and plate it. 

18. Book a Ride in a Hot Rod 

Old school cars are so much fun. Not only is it cool to learn the history behind that particular vehicle but most owners have some amazing stories to tell about how they obtained their cars. And you’d be surprised how many are willing to rent out or chauffeur people around. 

19. Night at the Hotel 

There’s nothing like spending the night in a hotel, leaving all your worries behind. Having someone else be responsible for cleaning up, making the bed and even breakfast. If this isn’t the perfect Christmas gift for any mom or day, I don’t know what is. 

20. Gear to Use with Their Favorite Hobby 

Maybe she wants to learn to sew or he would love to take care of the yard more. Even if you can’t get them everything they would need, investing even a little could be the start to something amazing. 

21. Food Tour

Perfect for any foodie on your list, or anyone really. I mean who doesn’t like eating. And if it means the kids are left at home, any parent is going to be down! 

Buy gift cards to a few different restaurants around town so they can do so at their leisure. Or spend the day taking them from restaurant to restaurant trying all the yummy goodies! Depending on if they are an introvert or extrovert I’m sure this is one gift that is sure to be appreciated. 

22. Dinner Cruise 

A great way to experience all the amazing food a city has to offer. Send them on a dinner cruise in a different city or even an exotic location. With tons of options in almost every major destination across the globe, this is sure to be a sweet journey no matter where you go.  Averaging around 2-4 hours this is definitely something you’d want to do with someone. 

23. Game Night with the Whole Family

Twister, Monopoly, Scrabble, throw in some charades and it’s bound to be a great time! Not in to board games or want to switch it up, Nintendo Switch offers tons of multiplayer games like Mario Party or Super Smash Bros. Oh, I can’t forget to mention the newest game that is all over TikTok at the moment, What do you meme! 

24. Be Their Housekeeper for a Day 

For those that have no time to clean their own homes or could use some help, a clean home could be the perfect gift. They may not consider paying for a cleaner themselves, but gifting them that service could be greatly appreciated!

The best part about this is there are so many ways to make this happen. You can do the cleaning yourself. Or you can hire companies such as Molly Maid to give a helping hand. Keep in mind that a lot of maid services do not do dishes or laundry. But services like SudShare can help with some of that. 

25. Pottery Lesson 

This is one of the few Christmas gift experiences I wish someone would give me. I’m tired of getting lopsided cups and bowls from my kids. I’d love to make my own hot mess bowl that can’t hold anything more than the keys and a few paperclips, lol. No, seriously I love my kids and all the wonderful things they make for me. 

Find a local pottery and grab that gift certificate. This is a unique gift that could potentially turn into a new found hobby! 

26. Hunting Excursion with Dad

For the dads that love guns, hunting and all things outdoors gifting him a weekend away in the woods would make his day. Consider getting  him a cabin supplied with all the food and supplies he’d need. Surprise him with all his guy friends and try not to call him for the first few hours, lol. 

27. Day Out with the Grandkids

Active grandparents are God’s gift to parents. Especially when they love their grandkids as much (if not more than) they love their own. This one can be considered a gift for all parties involved. Mom and dad get a break and grandparents get to make some memories while enjoying their grandbabies. 

Christmas Gift Experiences for Couples

If you’re a part of the couple or you happen to know a few, these gift experiences for Christmas should both bring on the romance and make magical memories. 

Make each numbered idea an H3 and provide brief (2-3 sentences) of discussion for each:

28. All Expense Paid For Date Night 

Whether gifting for your person or a couple you know, no one ever said no to a date night. Grab tickets to the movies, find a special restaurant (maybe one that has some significance), and end the night with a stroll through the park eating dessert. 

29. Fancy Picnic Setup 

 A picnic in the park or even your own backyard can be the perfect experience for couples. It’s such a romantic and fun way to spend a few hours together. Pack some of your favorites, some drinks, don’t forget the treats.  And enjoy some peaceful time outside together. 

30. Book a Couples Massage 

It doesn’t matter if you’re male, female, old, young, healthy or unhealthy,everyone loves a massage. Add in experiencing it with your partner and make it even better. 

31. Guided Tour of Little Known Spots in their City 

Have a couple who loves to travel on your list. No matter how long they’ve lived in their city, there are bound to be places or things they’ve never experienced. Book a tour of the city’s most historic spots, some of the best tea shops or bookstores. An Art District would be another great spot to take a closer look at, as those areas are often ever changing with new installations, pop up shops and more. 

32. Fun Couples Photo Shoot 

Who doesn’t want some adorable images of them with their loved ones. It really doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a few nice photos that they can have for themselves. Who knows, they may end up using them for a save the date one day! 

33. Romantic Wine Tour

A weekend away tasting delicious wines from different vineyards could be the perfect gift for any wine connoisseur couple. Make sure to check if the vineyard has Christmas gift vouchers for couples. 

34. Sushi-Making Class 

62% of Americans love sushi so if you have a sushi lover on your list this is perfect for them. Let them immerse themselves in this Japanese cuisine for the day. 

35. Fondue Night 

For the cheese or chocolate lover on your list, a Fondue Night would be perfect. Not limited to fruit, dip meat, cheese, marshmallows or whatever else you can think of in your Fondue. 

36. Weekend Campsite Rental

Outdoorsy couples are sure to love this. Camping or even glamping for the weekend can be an adventurous way to get some rest and relaxation. With so many options, from renting cabins or paying for campsites, to trying out tiny homes or even decked out tents, RV’s and school buses.

37. Horse & Carriage Ride 

Not just a valentine’s date idea, horse and carriage rides can be just as beautiful during the winter months. Snow topped buildings surrounded by twinkling Christmas lights is the perfect backdrop for a romantic Christmas gift. 

38. Murder Mystery Dinner Show 

For any Law and Order, First 48 or other crime shows, a murder mystery dinner is sure to be up their alley. Some shows even allow audience participation. Which means, whomever you gift this to could very well end up being the criminal! 

39. Itinerary for a Natural Trail Hike 

Getting to enjoy the outdoors, exploring new places and having time together, yes please! Add in a picnic basket filled with goodies to turn this up a notch. 

Ideas for Everyone Else on Your Christmas List (Him, Her, Families & Coworkers)

This next set of experiences as Christmas gifts are perfect for anyone. No matter how you know them or what they’re into, there is sure to be something for everyone. 

40. A Cooking Class

If your friend or someone you know is a foodie, this would be the perfect gift. Even better that most can now be found online! They can learn chocolate making, cake decorating, bread making, vegan cheese making, fermenting or how to cook a specific meal all from the comfort of their own home.

41. Fishing Day with a Friend 

If you have a friend who loves fishing, this is the perfect Christmas gift experience for him. There’s no better way to reel in the best present then when he snags that Big Mouth Bass to hang on his wall! 

42. Tickets to Their Favorite Sports Team Event 

Nothing compares to seeing a live game of your favorite sport. If you have a huge sports fan on your list, consider gifting them tickets to the next local game. 

43. A Painting Class 

Have you heard of the painting classes where you can paint, have yummy appetizers, and sip on champagne? I’ve been to a few and they are SO much fun. This is great for someone who may not know how to paint freehand but still wants to give painting a try. 

44. Online Course That Teaches a Skill

With so many different courses / classes offered online —like the dance lessons, DJing, learning a new language to voice lessons for those that want to try their hand at music. 

45. Paintball Excursion 

Think of a Nerf Gun war but for adults! Paintbull is the best way for the recipient to practice their camouflaging skills while simultaneously working on their aim. 

46. Bowling Gift Certificate

No matter your level of expertise, bowling is fun for everyone. Most bowling alleys have arcades and great bar food, so you’ll still have a blast. Don’t forget your socks!

47. Escape Room Night 

This is such a great experience to gift. Escape Rooms have been gaining in popularity for a long time now. And they can be so much fun with a group of friends. With an array of different options, this is a gift that anyone on your list can enjoy.

48. Orchestra Tickets 

From classical music to hip hop, tickets to the orchestra can intrigue anyone. The genre of music that you can find being played by your local theater are endless. 

49. Zoo Membership 

Know an animal lover? Most annual zoo memberships end up paying for themselves in the first trip or two. Plus they often come with extra perks like special member only days and discounts. 

50. Concert Tickets

Got a music lover on your list? Tickets to their favorite artist’s next concert will surely make them smile. Add a band tee for some extra fun. 

51. Gift Card for Ice Skating 

Ice skating is a great gift for any age. Children love it and adults can live out their childhood dreams of being a figure skater like Jill Trenary. Oh, was that just me, lol. Regardless if they used to try and ice skate on their frozen driveways or not, gifting someone a gift card for ice skating is sure to make them smile. 

52. Project-Based Subscription Box 

Subscription boxes have really changed over the years and there are so many to choose from. Boxes for those who love the arts or getting crafty, to boxes for history junkies. Just make sure whatever you gift, it’s not just another item 

No matter who you have on your list, there is an experience gift fit for everyone. Did I miss any of your favorite Christmas gift experiences? Let me know!”

The post Best Christmas Gift Experiences for Everyone on Your List appeared first on Not So Perfect Momma.

Having a new baby means not only starting your own family but also starting your own traditions. And having Christmas traditions to start with your new baby that the whole family will enjoy can bring an extra bit of magic to those memorial years.  So if you’re looking for how to celebrate baby’s first Christmas in a fun and exciting way, look no further. I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite traditions that are sure to bring some magic to your Christmas. 

Tradition #1: Make a Handprint Ornament Each Year Starting with Baby’s 1st Christmas

I can’t think of anything sweeter than hanging baby’s 1st Christmas ornament on your tree year after year. And if you continue with the tradition as they grow you’ll be able to watch as their hands grow and change. After they turn 18 don’t forget to compare their last to the very first if you really want to turn on the water works. 

Tradition #2: Knit Baby’s 1st Stocking & Use to Teach Them How to Knit as They Grow

Knitting is something I’ve always wanted to learn, especially since its something my grandmother used to love and passed down to my mother. Unfortunately for me, its not something she nor my mother will be able to teach me, but if you are a knitter then this is for you. Making your baby’s first christmas stocking can hold so many memories. You can start it while you’re pregnant so it’s complete by the time you give birth. As they get older continue knitting and teach your child how to knit with it as well. If kept in well enough condition it can soon be something that is passed down from generation to generation. 

Tradition #3: Make Meaningful Christmas Eve Boxes for Each Other 

I love this idea as a tradition to start from their very first Christmas and onward. Putting together a box of things that are special to you and baby each year is the sweetest thing. Make sure to take pictures, or even keep them so as they grow you can look back at each year. It’s almost like a Christmas time capsule. 

Tradition #4: Take Yearly Christmas Light Car Ride Tours

This is one of those Christmas activities for babies that everyone can enjoy. We started doing this on Christmas eve each year and our children look forward to it. Some cities (we’ve moved more times in the last three years than I’d care to admit) even have drive-through Christmas lights that you can pay to attend. These are typically a few miles long and have some of the most extravagant light setups I’ve ever seen. 

If you’re looking for a free version of this, check out Facebook to see if there are any groups that coordinate with homes who do light shows. When we lived in California I joined a few groups so I always knew where the best light displays for the year were going to be. We found some amazing houses that way. One neighborhood did a drive through type of display with a theme.  Each house on the block participated and it was always our favorite stop. 

Tradition #5: Make Your Own Advent Calendar Each Year

Advent Calendars are a popular tradition associated with Christmas. And making your own is sure to bring this activity even more meaning. There are a number of ways to make these. From purchasing a premade book to collecting things like toilet paper roll holders. The possibilities are endless here. Fill it with candy, toys or anything else you like and have fun with it! 

Tradition #6: Snap a “Gift Bow on the Head” Picture in the Same Place of Your Home 

This is the quintessential picture of a baby pulling a bow off one of their presents and sticking it on their head. What a cute tradition to keep up year after year and watch them grow. May I add the bigger the bow, the cuter the picture. 

Tradition #7: Start an Elf on the Shelf Alternative

Confession time, I’ve never been a fan of Elf on the Shelf. The thought of some toy doing random things around my house in order to convince my children to behave just didn’t sit well with me. So when thinking of ideas to make Christmas with baby memorable I knew an Elf wouldn’t be one of them. But what could you do instead? 

I found so many alternatives. A few of them have the same idea behind them and others are really cool. For example these North Pole Ninjas are too adorable and I couldn’t get over how creative this Little Lamb of Bethlehem is. Encouraging children to serve others and learn about the birth of Jesus. My momma heart is so happy. 

Tradition #8: Get Matching Holiday-Themed Pajamas for the Whole Family 

This is something I wish I had started sooner. It is so fun looking back on the years previous to see how much our family has grown. Both in size and amount of children, lol. I also get a kick out of seeing how our pajama styles differ with each passing year. While I typically pick an overall theme / color I allow the kids to pick the style of pajamas they want. My daughter loves a dress but surprised us one year and went for a onesie. All in all, this is probably my top things to do with my children as they grow and makes a great Christmas morning tradition as well. 

Tradition #9: Pop Open Christmas Crackers at the Christmas Meal 

So this is a tradition I needed to do a little research on. Started in London by a wedding cake baker, this tradition has spread far and wide across the United Kingdom and other commonwealth countries. If you’re like me and always looking for ways to turn things into a learning experience this is a great way to do so. Including a little history lesson, cultural and diversity lesson all while learning to serve and love others, yes please! 

To give a little more information, these crackers are used as table decorations that make a snapping sound when pulled open. Often containing small gifts, a paper hat and a joke they take two people to pull apart. 

Tradition #10: Serve at a Soup Kitchen Together

Don’t know if I’ve mentioned this or not, but I am all about teaching my children to serve others. Especially when it comes to the holidays. There are so many who are less fortunate than us and it is my goal to help my children understand that just because someone is in a bad spot in their life does not mean they are less than us. As we all know, any major life event can have us in less than ideal situations. 

But how do you do this with a baby? Wouldn’t this be easier to start once they get a little older? If you want, sure, but my solution mama can wear the baby in an infant sling for the first year or two!

Tradition #11: Start a “Year in the Life” Journal

Of course, you’ll have to pen the first few years of their journal, but they’ll be able to pick up their own journal entries around age 5 or 6. Even just cute little scribbles are fun to look back on! And once they reach adulthood passing these on to them to cherish will be greatly appreciated I’m sure. 

Tradition #12: Make Homemade Christmas Cards (Baby’s Handprint Will Suffice!)

There are so many precious moments to be had with this one. Of course, in the beginning sticking to something easy like baby’s handprint. But once your little one grows bigger its the perfect time to get more adventurous. As they learn to write, having them sign their name or write out Merry Christmas is sure to make whomever you send these cards to smile extra big. 

Tradition #13: Enjoy a Local Christmas Parade 

High on my list of things to do for baby’s first Christmas is a Christmas Parade. Always a huge fan of Macy’s Christmas Day parade in New York I would love to visit with my family one year. In the meantime, finding a local Christmas parade has been so much fun for us. The excitement of getting up early, packing snacks, and spending time together dancing and laughing as we watch floats / all the characters drive past has been unmatched. It’s definitely something to do with the whole family if you can. Or even give as a Christmas gift experience if you’re planning to move away from presents. 

Tradition #15: Bake & Decorate Cookies for Santa

While Santa may actually be mom or dad, baby doesn’t have to know that. And depending on the age of your little one, you can start off with premade cookies that you only have to pop in the oven. Then once they get a little older and can help bake, making them from scratch will be a great bonding experience for the whole family. 

Tradition #16: Make a Holiday Bucket List with the New Baby (& Cross an Item Off Each Year)

Another favorite tradition for 1st Christmas ideas of mine. What I love most about this is that the list can be ever evolving. As your family changes and baby grows, allow them to have some input. The pure enjoyment to be had from checking each thing off will serve as a wonderful memory within itself. Family traditions like these create the kind of moments that children remember for a lifetime. 

Tradition #17: Start a Family Sleepover Night on Christmas Eve 

One of those perfect Christmas traditions to start with a newborn. Just imagine all the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents celebrating Christmas eve together. Sharing stories, presents, cookies and hot chocolate in a room filled with love. I can’t think of a better tradition to start with your family. And it’s bound to build lasting bonds and magical moments for everyone. 

If you are able to include extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles) consider having each family wear their own Christmas pjs. How cute would it be to have five different families depicted in your holiday pictures in their own pjs each year. One family is all red, another in striped green and white and yet another in the buffalo red and black pjs. Just too adorable. And then maybe consider switching up the locations from year to year as well. 

Tradition #18: Start the Want, Need, Wear, Read Tradition Early

We started this tradition last year and honestly, I wish we had started sooner. If you’re looking for easy and relaxed Christmas gift traditions to start with baby this is the perfect one. It makes gift giving that much easier, especially as they get older. Not only that, but it helps to drown out all the extra noise around stuff. I’ve never seen my children so excited about getting socks as they were last year. 

The way their faces lit up when they opened their presents really shocked me. I had asked each of them what they thought they needed and each one replied with new socks. First, can we get into how they are taking ownership of their own wardrobe at such young ages. But also the pure gratitude when they received exactly what they asked for. Priceless for sure.  

If you’re thinking of starting this but worried your child may feel left out, they won’t. It’s been the best decision for us and my children have grown more appreciative of their things. They’ve even been taking better care of said things. Win Win to me! 

All in all, if you’re a new momma looking for Christamas traditions to start with your new baby, I hope this list gives you a pretty good starting point. There are so many things you can do here, but don’t be afraid to come up with your own. You know your family best so do what is going to work best for you and them. No matter what Christmas traditions you come up with, your baby is going to be happy just spending time with you. 

Are there any Christmas traditions I’ve forgotten about? What are some of your favorite family traditions? Leave a comment below!

The post 18 Memory-Making Traditions to Start on Baby’s First Christmas appeared first on Not So Perfect Momma.

Creating Christmas morning traditions for the whole family can help make it one of the most magical days of the entire year. Moments filled making memories not soon to be forgotten, with activities that can be passed down through generations, are priceless. Presents come second when time together is encouraged and prioritized. 

Establishing family traditions is a great way to bond with one another. While all children love getting a new toy, that excitement can soon wear off. Whereas years from now they can look back on their childhood with fondness as they reminisce on their favorite Christmas mornings with mom.  

But with technology consuming so much of our daily lives, how do you get them away from the tablets and tv’s long enough to make these memories? Easy, threaten to take everything away, lol. No, seriously that is a complete joke. Instead emphasize with them. Let them know you understand how fun and exciting beating that high score on their favorite game can be. Or how much you too like catching up on your shows. And then invite them to collaborate with you. Take a look at the list below and ask them what they’d like to do. Don’t be afraid to compromise. I do this often with my oldest. 

This may look like saying, if you can give me “X” amount of your time to try out this new Christmas morning family tradition with us, you can have “X” amount of time on your tablet. Let me insert my disclaimer that this may or may not work. Heck, it only sometimes works for my own kid. But what I have found is that being more collaborative instead of authoritative always gets me better results. 

So give it a shot if you’re up to it. Look over these ideas, pick a few that sound like a good fit for your family. Then ask them to vote on their favorite. I mean, I’m sure it will do more harm than good. 

1. Read the Christmas Story 

From adults to toddlers, it’s important to remember what Christmas is all about. Books like these help remind us of the reason for the season. Sorry to use that corny cliche there but it fits so well, lol. 

Seriously, reading books together, especially if you start young, creates a special bonding time for you and your littles. Add in a miracle such as the Christmas Story and it’s just a match made in heaven. Which is why I think this is a perfect Christmas tradition to start with baby. 

2. Christmas Breakfast Tradition Ideas

Christmas morning breakfast traditions are a fun way to celebrate. I mean, who doesn’t like food! They do say it’s the way to the heart. So why not include a fun Christmas breakfast tradition for your family. Some of my favorites are listed below:

Christmas Tree or Rudolph Pancakes

You can literally make just about anything out of pancakes. From famous landmarks to your child’s favorite Christmas character. And no need to fret if you aren’t super artsy. You can literally find anything on Amazon. Just look at this pancake pan and this waffle kit even comes with food grade markers to make your pancakes even more realistic. Decorate them yourself or let your kiddos join in on the fun. Either way, I’m sure you’ll have some delicious pancakes when it’s all said and done!

Breakfast Casserole

This is my mother in law’s favorite Christmas morning tradition. And she’s been making, or even buying, breakfast casseroles for as long as I’ve known my husband. Which is going on 13 years. 

If you’re like me and casseroles really aren’t your go to dish, I’ve found this recipe that not only looks easy but so tasty! 

Not really in the mood to cook? Hey, it happens. Plus If your kids are anything like mine, having someone ask you a million times if they can “help” may not sound too appealing. No judgment on my end. I get it. I did mention that my mother in law also buys her casseroles from time to time. From Costco, if anyone is interested. 

And before you think, but isn’t this supposed to be about making memories, you can make just as many memories eating together as you can cooking together.  

Cinnamon Rolls and Sausage

Cinnamon rolls are a staple in my home. So any chance we get to cook them we jump at. This is a yummy breakfast that offers a lot of variety in how you cook it. Turn it into a casserole, keep it simple or make a delicious breakfast sandwich. Whatever you decide, include the kids (if you can) and have a great time. 

Snowman Waffles

Seriously, what could be cuter? Super easy to make, you can get as creative as you’d like. Add some powder sugar and fruit for a more realistic approach. Layer some mini waffles and turn it into a waffle sandwich. And you can even forget pretzels for arms. Truly the ideas are endless with this one. 

Not into breakfast or cooking in general, don’t worry. There’s so many other ways to create some magical memories for your family on Christmas morning. 

3. Cook Extra & Take to an Elderly Neighbor

In my experience, the best Christmas morning traditions are the ones that put others first. I’ve learned first hand how important it is to serve others as often as possible. But especially when it comes to the elderly. There is so much to be learned from others who’ve been here longer than we have. And most older neighbors love getting time with young children. It truly warms their hearts. And if you don’t have an elderly neighbor close by, consider visiting a nursing home.  Sadly there are so many elders whose family can’t visit them often. If you go this route, just make sure to check with the staff about any outside food policies they may have. 

4. Take a Christmas Morning Family Photo

This is a must-do tradition for families on Christmas day. Don’t take it too seriously though. No need to hire a professional photographer. Although you can if you’d like. 

With the way most of these cameras are set up on our phones, a good tripod is all you’ll need. Then when the kids are older you can look back and literally watch them grow up. And maybe even challenge them to recreate your favorite ones! 

5. Create & Play a Christmas Morning Playlist of Family-Favorite Songs

Christmas carols, family dance parties, the possibilities are endless with this one. Waking up to the sounds of your favorite Christmas songs, running downstairs and being greeted by your family and a yummy breakfast. I mean, could you ask for anything else. Make sure to let everyone pick one of their favorite songs to be included on the list and watch the magic happen. 

6. Decorate a Gingerbread House

Sometimes leaving your house is more hassle than you’d care to tackle, especially on a holiday. Again no judgment as I have five kids and stay home whenever the opportunity arises. So what to do on Christmas day at home? Gingerbread houses are always super easy to find, come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are a breeze to put together. We’ve made a few in our time and the kids love getting creative with their food. We’ve gone so far as to build our own village once. And they are always so excited to eat them once they’re done. 

7. Open Presents with a Twist!

Don’t be afraid to get creative with the presents. There are tons of ways to turn this somewhat boring part of Christmas into something amazing. It’s okay, you can admit watching your kids rip off the wrapping paper it took you hours to fold just right, isn’t the most exciting part of the day. Or is that just me. 

Christmas Gift Scavenger Hunt

Who says all the presents have to be under the tree? Turning present opening into a scavenger hunt is a great interactive way to amp up the fun. Especially if you’re looking for a new way to introduce experiences for gifts. 

To do this, start by hiding all the gifts. You may want to start with one under the tree, but that’s completely optional. From there write out clues or hints that will help your kiddos figure out where to go to find their next present. Add these clues to the presents. The idea here is to have a clue that leads to another present. You can create a time limit or leave it untimed, completely up to you. Make it even more fun by starting off by putting a clue in the bed next to them while they sleep. So as soon as they wake up they can start the hunt for their presents. 

White Elephant Game

Such a fun game and bound to bring about some good laughs. The White Elephant game is where one person starts with a gift but can end up with a completely different gift by the end of the game. 

The way it works is that one person will open a wrapped gift. From there each additional person gets a turn and can either open a wrapped gift or steal one from someone else who has already opened a gift.  If your gift gets stolen you can either open a new gift or steal one from someone else. 

Dirty Santa Game 

Another fun game, this one is sure to bring all the laughs. Find as many weird, crazy gag gifts as you can. Wrap them and then assign a number to each of them. Now each person in the family picks a number and wraps their crazy gifts. Add an extra dose of fun by allowing negotiation for the best gift. Sure to get lots of laughs and confusion. 

Christmas “Hot Potato”

This one takes me back to elementary school so it holds a lot of nostalgia for me. To play hot potato as a family, have everyone sit in a circle. Start some music, that Christmas Morning playlist from above would definitely come in handy here. Make sure to have someone in charge of stopping and starting the music randomly. Next pass a gift around the circle until the music stops. When it does, whoever has the gift gets to open it and keep it. Have that person exit the circle and start again. Keep going until everyone has a gift. 

The Christmas Pinata

This one can serve a dual purpose. Piñatas are a common element in parties across different countries and especially in Mexico around Christmas time. The story of their origin combines cultures, traditions and religions. So this is a great way to bring in some education, teaching about other cultures and diversity, while still having fun. 

If you aren’t sure what to put in your pinata, go beyond candy. Small toys, mini balls, erasers, pencil, necklaces, mini bags of cookies, plastic toy rings and so much more. Honestly just raid the dollar section at Target or Walmart as most of those items would be perfect. 

8. Set Up a Christmas Morning Hot Cocoa Bar 

This is such a fun Christmas morning tradition. Who doesn’t love hot chocolate! Plus it’s so easy to put together. Fill your bar with marshmallows, a variety of hot chocolate options and of course you can’t forget peppermints! Grab some peppermint straws to stir the hot coco with. Have a few different sizes and colors of marshmallows, and whatever else you can think of to make this a unique family experience. I personally love those Andes mint chocolate candies so of course there’d be tons of those as well as any other candies my family may love. 

9. Donate Gifts to Your Local Shelter

I started this a few years ago with my kids and its something we’ve come to look forward to. And there’s actually a few ways we do this. A few weeks before Christmas the kids will go through all of their things and decide what they want to keep versus give away. This not only includes toys, but also clothes, shoes and anything else they may want to donate. 

We also make sure to allow our kids to Christmas shop for other families. Taking them to different stores to pick out gifts for children that we then donate to various charities / organizations. As I mentioned before I found out a long time ago that serving others brings my heart great joy and I hope to instill the same in my children. 

10. Write a Family Gratitude List

Always important to remember all the things we have to be thankful for, so why not make a list. This is a great way to reflect on all the blessings your family has received that year. And can serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come. It’s especially cute to display it somewhere in your house until next year.

What Are Your Favorite Christmas Morning Traditions?

After reviewing this list I hope it’s gotten your creative juices flowing. Even if you didn’t like what you saw here, my hope is that you can start a Christmas morning tradition for your family that is sure to make it magical. 

How do you make Christmas morning special? Are there any traditions that I forgot to mention? Leave them in the comments below!

The post Top 10 Christmas Morning Traditions to Start with Your Family appeared first on Not So Perfect Momma.

The holidays usually go one of two ways in my house, really well with a few meltdowns from the children, and myself if I’m being honest. Or they can go the complete opposite. Getting through the holidays with young children can be a struggle, don’t fret momma we’ve all been there. So today I am sharing a few tips me and my husband have learned over the years to make things go smoother and keep smiles on as many faces as possible. I mean, let’s be honest, at least someone will have an attitude, it never fails.

Getting Through Holiday Shopping with Young Children

Shopping with my kids became more of a chore than anything as I feared how they would act while in the store. Will they have a fit? Will they get tired before I am done getting everything? On a scale of 1 to 10 how bad do I want to deal with a cranky three year old? These are just some of the questions I used to ask myself and then just like that everything changed. While watching random Youtube videos one day ( I have no idea how I came across this video either) I stumbled onto a video of a mom going over her tips for shopping with small kids. Of course she mentioned the normal things:

1. Let them help you – easier said then done when your two year old likes to run and hide under the clothes racks
2. Make shopping into a game – sure why not? I mean I don’t care if everyone in the store is staring at me like I’ve lost my mind when my children decided to run through the aisle.

But then she mentioned something I had never thought of. Rotate between taking the kids shopping and just taking the kids to different stores. Now I understand you may not have a whole lot of time to just randomly go to Ralphs one Tuesday afternoon, but when you do take the kids. Go to Hobby Lobby and look at random things you’ll probably want really bad but never actually buy. Explain to your kids how to act in these situations when there isn’t any pressure. Then when the holidays come and Wal-Mart is jammed packed with only two cashiers your kids already know what you expect out of them. This is life-changing momma, I promise you.

Traveling During the Holidays with Young Children

To travel or not to travel? That is the question. Well, for me anyway. Since we moved to California traveling with young children for the holidays have taken on a whole new kind of ugly. Just the logistics alone can be a nightmare. I mean, how exactly do I expect to get from the airport to my hotel in with four carseats? Can you even rent a minivan? Insert Uber, or Lyft, whichever you prefer. It’s not the “olden” days. Traveling with your kids isn’t hard. Can it be stressful when your three year old throws a tantrum because they want to sit next to a complete stranger on the plane? Yes, but hard not so much.

Rule number 1: Plan. Figure out the best method of travel for your family. Would it be easier or more convenient to travel via car and make a road trip out of it? Or is it way too far and flying is the only option? If flying is the only option look into early morning or late evening flights so your kids can sleep. Map out seating so there is a two to one ratio, if needed. Two kids to every one parent, preferably with the parent in the middle.

2. Pack in advance. I always forget something so I like to pack a few days early so I have time to remember what I forgot (seriously, all of a sudden two days before the trip Ill remember I forgot to pack the kids toothbrushes).

3. Get mentally prepared. Remember your children are tiny humans with feelings and opinions and all that stuff that we as parents like to sometimes forget. Prepare for the meltdowns, the annoying whining and the ever so awkwardly placed comments about those around them. Its going to happen, no matter how much talking you do. So prepare and roll with it. It’ll make things easier for everyone.

Next up, Arriving at the In-Laws with your children during the holidays

Here it is, the absolute worse part of the holidays. Being with family, well more specifically your in-laws. Unfortunately my in-laws and I have the best relationship ever, so I don’t really know much about it, LOL. Yet, I do know about taking my children around family they haven’t seen in a long time. Am I the only mother who hates when  relatives get upset when my children don’t remember them? It’s like come on, they haven’t seen you in 365 days (or longer) and you want them to remember your name? I cant even remember the name of the cashier that rung me out at CVS 2 minutes before I got here.

So what do you do in those situation? Well, for me I tell the adult to get over it, in the nicest way possible. Because what you are not about to do it project your insecurities and negativity on my five year old. But I digress. Basically I recommend having a very nonchalant attitude to any family member when it comes to your kids. Say whatever you want about my kids, your opinion doesn’t bother me. Really, this mindset saves lives. Those whom you would want to kill if you took the time to care about their opinions. Hope that gave you a laugh.

So these are just a few of my tips/tricks on how I get through the holidays with a football team of children. One last recommendation, remember what its like to be a kid and try and let your children enjoy the holidays. The holidays are a time to spend together. Making new memories that will last a lifetime, everything isn’t important.

Do you have any tips on surviving the holidays with young children? Did you find this helpful, or at least a little funny? Let me know in the comment below.

Love,

Jazmyne.

The post Getting Through The Holidays With Young Children appeared first on Not So Perfect Momma.