Decorating for Christmas should be fun for the whole family…trying to do everything yourself can make you both tired and resentful. Here are a few ideas for getting the whole family involved in the Christmas decorating this year:
1. Don’t be a Grinch: Part of the fun of decorating is sharing the responsibility. Make sure you aren’t keeping all the fun for yourself! Even though your 5 year old may cluster all of the ornaments on one droopy branch, he or she will still have a blast helping you decorate (and you can always rescue the ornaments later!
2. Stretch the decorating out over a couple of days—or a couple of weeks. Trying to do everything on one day may be too much—or it may be just enough to turn your holiday decorating into a chore.
3. Decide what items are most important to you, and do those first. For most people, it’s the tree…others are most enthusiastic about decorating the outside of the home. Prioritize, and give the most time to the things you can do together, and that you enjoy doing.
4. Let the kids help. It will take more time, but allowing your children to help will get them involved and keep them involved. Most kids are not very good at decorating, and some are downright terrible, but the only way that they will learn is if you give them a chance.
5. Decorate with kids’ crafts. Use the art they bring home, and the cards they make to decorate your home. Hand handmade ornaments on your tree, and use artwork to temporarily decorate your walls. Using some of the things your kids create to decorate will show them how much you value their art—and keep them motivated as you work.
6. Do a simple project together. Choose an activity you will all enjoy, and set aside some time to do it together. You can make something as simple as a paper or popcorn chain, or decorate a pre baked gingerbread house to display on the table. Make sure you set aside enough time to complete your project, and be sure to display it when you are done.
7. Choose kid friendly decorations. It sounds simple, but choosing fun, kid friendly décor can make the process a lot more fun for everyone involved. If you feel brave, let the children choose their own decorating items (but don’t be surprised if you end up with an eight foot tall inflatable Sponge Bob Santa for your lawn!
8. Plan a decorating day. Decide on what task you want to complete, and gather everything you need to finish it. Decorating a tree? Make sure the tree has been purchased, and is in the stand and ready to go before you start. Putting up the lights outside? Make sure you have enough sets to do the job—and that they aren’t in a tangled heap! Planning ahead and having the right tools for the job can make decorating a relaxing and fun thing for everyone involved.
Author Resource:
Denise Sanger is the owner of http://www.newcooltoysonline.com which features a fantastic selection of outdoor toys including ride-on toys and battery ride on toys. The company is located in Sunny Florida and may be reached at 877-950-7665.
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