Heart Centered Holidays: Keep Calm and Carry On
L-Love yourself
I-Illuminate the true spirit of holidays
G-Give the gift of love to yourself and others
H-Honest appraisal of how you feel and what’s going on
T-Trust your inner knowing to guide you
Illuminating the true spirit of the holidays happens as we focus on creating traditions from our heart, not with stress, obligation or because we have always done it that way. “Holiday glue”, our family traditions, are what supports you and your family in the heart centered illumination of the true spirit of the holidays.
I am happy to have Shannon Kelley Pattee as a guest blogger on the beginning of this month of holidays. Shannon has many talents but I know her as an author, extraordinaire-front desk and first line of fire, jack of all trades and keeper of calm, always with a smile on her face at the front desk at Bright Beginnings:Early Learning Center in Dunedin, Florida, a wonderful place for young children.
Read about Shannon’s “holiday glue “…. and I hope it inspires you to create your own!
“I have such wonderful memories of holidays past and the traditions, which my parents maintained year after year. A sense of familiarity, warm nostalgia and family unity, which occurred during these times, was the glue that keeps us connected even today. I always looked forward to Thanksgiving Day. The television was tuned to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and later in the day we all gathered at my Grandparents house where my overwhelmed Grandfather would typically sit quietly trying to make sense of the fifteen different conversations that were all occurring in unison due to being out number by a houseful of women. He and the other two or three men didn’t stand a chance! My Mom usually made her annual sour cream fruit salad which is still one of my favorites today. Everyone brought something to share and a good time was had by all.
My parents were also consistent with our Christmas traditions. The Christmas tree was decorated by all of us while the Walt Disney Christmas Carol album was playing in the background and don’t forget the Charlie Browns Christmas special which was an annual treat. The family also sat together and read the traditional “Christmas Story” to remember the real reason for celebrating the season.
On Christmas morning there was but one rule to follow. Before entering the living room where Santa left our gifts we must first wake the adults so that all of us could share in the excitement. Although, I think that Santa’s elves had been up late putting things together so their excitement was not quite as vibrant as ours. Everyone opened gifts together and I have to admit that Santa did a great job of providing a well-rounded selection of presents. We would each get a few personal items, but then there were also items for the entire family to share. Such as our ping pong table, board games, bikes and even a racetrack that was already put together for everyone to enjoy and designed to bring us together as a family.
Even New Year’s Eve had its own tradition, which we still carry out and laugh about today. The infamous Cheese Ball! Champagne for the adults and sparkling Cider for the kids and if we could stay awake until midnight we would watch the ball drop in New York City.
Cheerful familiarity and traditions are the uniquely designed glue, which bond friends and family. However simple, creative or over the top your traditions are for whatever holidays your family celebrates keep them going year after year and you to will develop “The Holiday Glue” for lasting memories.”
Shannon’s heart-centered holiday glue she’d like to share with you!
“The Sharing Child”
Preface
A child’s moral character is developed in the early years of life. The need to instill kindness, empathy, understanding, respect and love for others is top priority if we are to do our part in creating a peaceful world.
I was inspired to write “The Sharing Child” by a strong- willed little spitfire of a girl who had no problem speaking her mind, yet had one of the most giving hearts that I have encountered throughout my many years of teaching. She was always the first to offer food, the first to soothe a crying child and would keep her teachers and classmates in her nightly prayers. She lived with her mother and grandmother who laid a strong foundation for her sharing heart.
Please enjoy reading “The Sharing Child” with your family. Next, print out a copy for your “Sharing Child”. Sign their name on the bottom, add your child’s.
Happy Holidays!
“I have worked with children and families for twenty-five plus years. There are two main character traits which one must possess if one is to embrace the plethora of personalities along with the jovial thirst for knowledge; a flexible spirit and a great sense of humor!
My background as a Child Development Specialist has led me down an amazing path. My array of “hats” include that of an Early Childhood Educator, Director, Staff Writer, Children’s Art Instructor, Family Outreach/Events Coordinator, Author and many other mix and match combinations.
At the top of my life’s list is helping to strengthen the family bond and filling the needs of others. Through my stories and ideas I hope to send fun, inspiring messages which will promote a positive mind set and instill a strong value system in all. “ You can find Shannon at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChttMKtd5yQZeOAFP5VffVQ
Thank you, Shannon!
Please post and share the “holiday glue” that you and your family love to illuminate the holidays,
Bonnie
One of my most favorite family traditions on Christmas eve is gathering with family and friends and everyone brings a side dish and the hosting house makes a holiday ham and we all eat together. Afterwards we have a “Secret Santa” gift exchange…the one where if you don’t like the gift you get, you can trade with someone else. It’s hysterical! We also play card games and exchange stories until midnight and then everyone goes to their home to get ready for Christmas morning.
Jenna, thank you for posting. I love the feeling of joy, sharing and fun that you write about. I know your family feels so connected after that evening and that can carry us as family into the year! I believe there is a lot of “family glue” (family traditions) that have used to be joyful and sometimes gets lost in the hustle and bustle. And on the other side I think there are many families that enjoy the “family glue” and that is what makes this holiday about love and gifting so special. My own belief about the faith tradition of Christianity and the special birth is all about that unconditional love and the special gifts! Happy Christmas Eve and Christmas to you and your family Jenna!
There was a tradition that actually my parents started when I was at a young age. I loved animals so much they would promise on Christmas Eve, if I went to fell asleep on time, Santa would bring his favorite Reindeer in the house when the presents were placed under the tree. The special Reindeer was Rudolph and on Chistmas morning my mom and Dad informed me that Rudolph indeed had visited me and licked my nose. Of course if there were cell phones back then I might have wanted a picture for proof. Looking back I am glad for simple magical memories of Christmas “glued” through the years.
My friend Shannon is one of the most talented children books writers, she is inspirational in all she does. I love the Holiday glue it makes me feel connected to my own childhood and what my husband and I have tried to create with our family.
Yes, I feel so fortunate to have Shannon write on my blog! I love this piece as it truly is what illuminates the holiday and helps connect families. It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with your family creating “holiday glue”. Thank you for posting. Do you have a favorite holiday tradition?
Thanks so much Bonnie, Michelle, Jenna and Meg! I wanted to share another tradition that came about when I had my own household. Although, most of the family is scattered about now at one point we all lived in the same area (Orlando). Since I was usually on a budget I decided that creativity was in order. So, it became tradition to invite everyone over to my house for a late breakfast spread and we would do the “Dollar Tree” grab bag game. I would go out and buy about 50 or so items of the same price ($1.00- I’m a big spender 🙂 ) wrap everything and then after breakfast we would gather and play the “Keep it or Steal it” game. Great fun! However, it would get really comical when everyone would try to steal that “One Item” which was better than the rest and sometimes getting a bit heated. All the while the item only cost $1.00. It was a fun, affordable way to included everyone and instill some great “Holiday Glue” memories. 🙂
One of my most cherished holiday traditions is reading, “The Polar Express” every Christmas Eve. The story has become a real holiday classic and can be enjoyed by young and old alike. The illustrations and the story really help put me in the holiday spirit! I, of course, make sure I share it with all of my pre-k students as well…it’s definitely a class favorite!
We love the Polar Express. I am so happy you read it to your pre-k students. I think it is one of my husband’s favorites!!!