While making a custody determination, it is normal for judges to split holiday time between the parents. This means that on some years, you may not have your children for Christmas Eve, and in others, you may not have them for all of Christmas Day. It can be hard, for children and parents alike, to adjust to doing things differently around the holidays. However, rather than letting the holidays turn into a struggle, create new Christmas traditions with your children that you can enjoy during your custodial time.
Our office has some very fond memories from Christmases past that you may find inspiration in. For Attorney Jacquelyn Tomlinson, the most memorable tradition of her childhood was a family pot luck dinner on Christmas Eve. To her, Christmas Eve was all about extended family getting together. You can implement this tradition with your side of the family. Attorney Dana Delk’s favorite Christmas tradition is eating dinner at the Huddle House on Christmas night. The tradition started when she was young because her family went out of town the day after Christmas. The trips have stopped, but the tradition of Huddle House has remained throughout the years. Associate Attorney Katie Hoyt’s favorite tradition is sitting in front of the fireplace, no matter how hot is outside, while her father reads Christmas stories on Christmas Eve. For our Office Manager, Amy Myers, the holidays are all about taking her children, young and grown, to see the Christmas lights.
We have also compiled a list of other Christmas traditions you can begin to implement with your children this Holiday season:
Have a cookie decorating day, and let the kids decorate the cookies to eat or deliver to the neighbors or family.
Make a gingerbread house. The kits to do this are amazing now, but the mess is half of the fun!
You could make Christmas tree ornaments each year. Others who are less artistically inclined could buy a new Christmas tree decoration each year. When the children grow up, they can have a collection of their own with memories to go along with each ornament.
While your children are young, you could help them create a family history. Have them interview family members and record them in a book.
Every year, buy a new Christmas book and read it with your kids.
Pick a favorite Christmas movie, pop some popcorn and make hot chocolate for a cozy Christmas movie night.
Let the kids paint Christmas pictures on the windows with washable paint.
Have your children write a Christmas letter to all the relatives, with the kids telling what they have been up to this year.
Have a birthday celebration for Jesus, have a little cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus Christmas morning.
Light up your walkway with handmade luminaries.
The day you put up your Christmas Tree, let the kids sleep under it.
Hopefully, our favorite traditions and the list above provide you with plenty of good ideas to help make new, happy memories with your kids. We know the holidays can be a trying time, and a new holiday tradition can take some “getting used to.” However, these new activities will soon become yearly traditions. Call us for some non-traditional holiday visitation schedules that can work for your family. We want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!