Holiday Season or Holiday Break?
December 2012
I can only imagine that the Christmas season has been a “challenge” for parents
since before the first gift was ever exchanged. The real challenge for every parent is not
the “gift giving” or the fuss over the presents. The REAL challenge is what to do with a
houseful of young people from the start of the Holiday break until the first day of school
in January, especially during a time when the weather may prevent or limit outside
The answer to this challenge largely governs whether parents view November and
December as the Holiday Season or a “Holiday Break”. Families with a plan of activities
to keep young people engaged or active enjoy a very long and rewarding Holiday Season
- they laugh and fellowship through November and December with a stockpile of
memories and pictures to share for years to come. These families create environments
where some activities are planned and many others just happen. Or, they have a
tradition of doing certain things through the Holiday season.
Parents who regard December as a “Holiday Break” focus primarily on the days
where students are out of school. If, as a parent/guardian, this is your focus, it may
mean that you are a more than a little concerned about how you will keep the kids
occupied during the break. These parents may often feel responsible for keeping their
kids “busy” or simply out of the way.
As a parent of four (two pre-teens and two teens), I look forward to the Holiday
season. I really enjoy the extra family time. Through the years, we have spent the
Holiday season doing a number of different things. We have traveled to spend extended
time with friends and family, hosted traveling friends and family and stayed local. In
any case or scenario, our goal is always to keep the family focus on the true meaning
of the season. It is far too easy to get sucked into the “what am I going to get for . . .”
insanity. The Holiday season does not always mean having to spend money.
There are plenty of family activities that are engaging, entertaining and just plain
fun. Most of them involve having to let go of some of life’s stresses before you can really
enjoy them. As an example, when was the last time your family actually played a board
game together? Mom and dad, do your kids even know how to play hopscotch or jump
double-dutch? For those of you thinking, my kids are too big for that, you won’t know
until you draw that chalk outline or count how long you were able to keep hopping in
rhythm inside those twisting ropes. Those are just a couple of suggestions. A few other
ideas may be to: look around town for local activities – take a ride to see the Christmas
lights, support the local athletic teams in their Holiday tournaments, create a family
newsletter for out of town family members (allow your kids to write their own section),
take your own family pictures, start a family athletic event for Christmas Day, have
a neighborhood “no-more-turkey” barbecue, have your whole family volunteer at a
The list of activities can go on and on. But, it starts with someone in the house
(doesn’t always have to be the parents – just a good salesman) deciding that this is the
year that WE do something different. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, make it your
focus to give the gift of giving. Recognize that the Holiday season is a special time of
year for everyone. Special group memories, private moments, simple cards and long
letters all add to the mystical magic of the Holiday Season. When we encounter people
with a negative view of this time of the year, smile for them anyway. Wish the best for
them through this season. The joy of this season is not reserved for or assigned to any
group. The Christmas Joy is not based on age, gender, wealth, poverty, religious beliefs
or racial breakdown. For those who fret about getting and giving things this Christmas,
remember that Hugs & Smiles are excellent (free) gifts to give or receive, wrapping
paper and gift bags not required. Be Young! Have Fun! Happy New Year!
Columnist Chris Dinkins is an educator and native South Carolinian. His viewpoint is based on
personal, classroom and volunteer experiences. Send questions and comments about youth related issues to him at youngworld.scarolina@gmail.com.
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