Hey there, parents! So you’ve checked off the fall activities: visiting pumpkin patches, carving those pumpkins, and yes, making a mess in your kitchen with all the guts and seeds. You’ve even whipped up some chili in the slow cooker, picked apples, and endured a few football games. Kudos on embracing the fall vibes! But hold up—winter is here, and it’s time to pull out those snow boots and get crafty! It’s officially the season of joy (and let’s be honest, total exhaustion).
Even if you feel like you’re living in a frozen wasteland, with your toes numb and remnants of last year’s Christmas still lingering in your home, it’s time to stop whining and dive into this checklist. Trust me, if you don’t, Santa might just leave you a lump of coal instead of that much-needed coffee on December 25th. And once you tick all these off, you’ll definitely need the caffeine boost.
Here’s your must-do list for the frigid, festive months ahead:
- Bundling Up: Spend half an hour layering your kids in snow pants, boots, coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. Just when you think they’re ready, the little one will suddenly need to use the restroom. Re-bundle them up only to see them return in 10 minutes, dragging in slushy snow and a pile of wet clothes.
- Glove and Hat Replacement: Prepare to purchase new hats and gloves every few days, as they mysteriously disappear into the abyss of the lost and found. Spoiler alert: they’re rarely ever found, and by March, you’ll be left with mismatched gloves—9 lefts and 13 rights.
- Holiday Movie Experience: Choose a festive film, like the Polar Express, and make it an event! Serve hot cocoa (which will inevitably spill on your rug) and create “train tickets” for your kids to board the couch. Pinterest-inspired crafts, like treats with “nougat centers,” are optional but fun.
- Sending Holiday Cards: Spend a small fortune on holiday cards and postage featuring those adorable family photos in your matching flannels. Sure, the kids were bribed to smile, but those pictures are too cute to pass up! Just remember to curse the postage prices under your breath while at the post office, knowing most recipients will likely toss them in the recycling bin.
- Neighborhood Events: Attend at least one local holiday gathering that you’d rather skip altogether. Dress up for the occasion, endure awkward small talk with that one coworker, and look forward to the moment you can slip back into your comfy sweats and binge on Hallmark movies.
- Crafting Time: Get ready to make holiday crafts! Yes, we’ve done this before, but it’s winter now. Bring out the red and green supplies, and prepare for glitter to cover every surface. Just try to keep it contained. (Optional: Create handprint gifts for Grandma using dough or clay—what could go wrong?)
- Santa’s Lap: Stand in line for what feels like an eternity to have your child sit on Santa’s lap. Of course, they will need to go to the bathroom or start crying just as it’s their turn.
- Letters to Santa: Encourage your child to write a letter to Santa, which they’ll seal and refuse to share with you. When you ask about their wishes, they’ll cryptically reply that “only Santa knows,” leaving you in suspense until December 23rd.
- Matching Pajamas: Create fun family memories by purchasing matching pajamas. Your tween, however, will roll their eyes and forget to take any pictures—fun times!
- Winter Festivities: Brave the cold for at least one holiday event. Document it on social media, and if the kids are unimpressed, consider visiting a holiday train that hands out candy canes for good behavior.
- Baking Cookies: Make homemade cookies loaded with frosting and sprinkles, and of course, let the kids “help.” No matter how exhausted you feel after late-night shopping and wrapping gifts, it’s a must to have flour all over your kitchen by Christmas Day.
- Advent Calendar Chaos: Set up an advent calendar with your kids, who will promptly argue over who gets to open the door each day, reminding us all of the true meaning of the season—chaos.
And don’t forget, it wouldn’t be a holiday season without catching a nasty bug. Whether it strikes on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day, consider it a rite of passage.
So, there you have it! Time to get started—those reindeer pajamas won’t order themselves. Let’s make this holiday season memorable!
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Summary
: This holiday season, parents are tasked with a multitude of activities ranging from outdoor winter fun to crafting, baking, and attending festive events. Despite the chaos, these moments create lasting memories for families.