As the year draws to a close, we have the chance to choose how we will celebrate the season. Every year I try to find new and different ways to embrace mid-winter and not get overwhelmed with the craziness of Christmas. Why not create a new tradition this year – no matter the type of family you have? With a little time and planning, you can create a celebration season that is exactly what works for you. And here are some ideas...

Record the year that has just gone by
For the creative amongst you, why not create a memory book and write a Christmas Letter recording the year that has just gone by – adventures, births, marriages, struggles or travels. You can add to it year on year, which makes it a wonderful way to collect memories for your children.

Interview older family members and friends about their lives and record the interviews along with a photo, as something to look back on in the years to come. There is so much wisdom in our elders that they are only too happy to share if only we would ask!

For baby’s first Christmas, making a hand-print on a new tree skirt and recording their name and the year will create a new tradition to mark a growing family – and more permanent than scratches on the doorpost, especially if you move a lot.

Kindness first
I love to encourage kindness and caring, and now we can embrace Kindness Elves – an alternative to the Elf on the Shelf Tradition that hit us in the past two years. Kindness Elves is about knitting (or buying) a couple of ‘Visiting Elves’ that only choose to visit the homes of kind children. ‘They’ write letters to the children observing acts of kindness, and also suggest ideas for sharing kindness more widely. This is a lovely way to encourage good and beneficial behaviours without the ‘sneaky spying’ element of the judgemental Elf on the Shelf.

You can really see children bloom under the praise and recognition, especially when they thought no-one was looking. Patterns for such elves are readily found online – or elves can be sourced in kits complete with an elf house and heart shaped ‘letters’.

Silent night
My personal favourite is the carol singing, for regardless of belief, I cannot resist a good sing-song. You will find local carol concerts in churches across the region, but also in town centres, community centres or even local parks. They are a great way to get out and meet people if you are without family at this time, and you can take time to observe all ages coming together in the spirit of sharing and joy.

And don’t forget those struggling this Christmas – make a space in your schedule to donate to a local charity, visit elderly relatives or neighbours, and maybe get the children to choose a toy to give to the children’s ward or drop-in centre for those less fortunate.

Whatever you find yourself doing this Christmas, I hope you are happy and blessed and find joy in all the corners!