Holiday Madness or Holiday Magic?

The holidays often bring a kind of madness, running around like crazy, seeking the perfect gifts. Over-booking our schedules with holiday events. Seeing family members we rarely visit. Or getting stuck in traffic when you only wanted to get a few of the basic necessities at the grocery store. For kids' sakes, for our sakes.... how can we make the best of this time? A few of the obvious things, just in case a little reminder would help (I need this right about now) -

• What are our priorities? What is really most important? 
• Children often enjoy the little things.... so we really can keep it simple.
• Making a list and checking it twice - helps us keep things straight.
• Remember self care, always important, but even more so when we are doing so much!
• The gifts are not nearly as important as the gift of time spent together.
• See the holidays through a child's eyes - full of joy and wonder.
• What are some of your own favorite childhood holiday memories? What made them so special?

My mother took time every year to get new dresses for our favorite dolls. I remember baking cookies together, and putting cookies out for Santa. When my own kids were little, we had the most fun finding little treasures for their stockings. And I loved the relaxed mornings, with a late breakfast, and an easy day. 

Wishing you all a wonder-full holiday.