Chocolate fondue mishap & cherished family moments!
Laurie Moser . Published November 11th, 2024
Ribbon Creek Trail
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is here now! 🎄
You know what I've realized lately? The gifts my kids remember most aren't the ones that I spent a lot of time or money on. They're the silly and fun traditions we created - like our annual Christmas Eve fondue and chocolate 🍫 fountain (minus the chocolate fountain this year) or our Christmas morning eggs Benedict breakfast.
Last year, we started a new tradition of doing a fondue on Christmas Eve. It was so much fun and so yummy. My husband got one of those chocolate fountains that you see at the fancy events and they look so pretty and fun. Well, let's just say after all the work of getting it going, it was a big clump of greasy chocolate mess. The clumpy chocolate all went in the garbage and I donated the fountain.
But, it got me thinking about what really matters during this season.
Here's what I'm focusing on this year (and maybe you’d like some of these):
Creating pockets of calm in the chaos. Example: go on a walk by yourself or with a friend/loved one.
Let your teens have a say in events or maybe new traditions that they want to start. Example: our new Christmas Eve Fondue.
Saying no to events that feel more like obligations than joy. Example: saying "no," to that neighbour/friend/work event that you don't want to attend. You know that one that you never have a good time at.
Starting new, simple traditions. Example: going to a church on Christmas Eve so that we can enjoy listening to beautiful music.
Family game nights with holiday music in the background. Example: I'm not really into board games but there are some that I enjoy. We started playing Clue and it's fun. I don't like the long board games. 🤣
Taking walks to look at decorations in our neighbourhood. I love going for walks in the evening to see ALL the beautiful lights, decorations and trees 🎄!
Making time for one-on-one connections with each of my kids. Example: my son really enjoys walks with me. It's a great way to spend some 1:1 time with him. Whereas, my daughters love to shop.
Actually sitting down to watch that holiday movie instead of rushing around cleaning. Ok, this one is for me. I'm so guilty of doing this!
Remember when our kids were little and could spend an hour playing with the empty box their toy came in or the pretty bow 🎀? They were teaching us something important - it's not about the stuff, it's about the moments.
This holiday season, I'm challenging myself to focus less on the perfect gifts and more on the perfect moments - even if they're perfectly imperfect! Because when my teens and young adults look back on these holidays years from now, I want them to remember the laughter, the connections, and yes, even the chocolate fountain fiasco. 🍫
What about you? What are your favourite holiday memories with your family? Or, the simple moments that mean the most to you! ❤️
Thanks for reading friends,
Laurie 🌸
Staying Active Health & Wellness
PS. ➡️🌟Join my private FB group: Moms Supporting Teen Mental Health Together, let's support each other and share resources, tips and strategies that have worked for you or learn about what's helping others in similar situations.💗
LAURIE MOSER
Laurie Moser is an advocate for moms’ mental health. Supporting moms who have teens with mental health challenges to feel calm & create an unshakeable bond with their teen no matter what’s going on in their lives. Laurie has been featured by Focus on the Family, Real Biz Moms, Tracking Happiness and a guest on 5 Minutes for Me App, Voice of Women (VOW), I Never Knew (INK), Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, The Teen Anxiety Maze, Life Changing Habits Summit, Ment2BeWell Global Virtual Summit, Holistically Heal Your Child Summit and Host of the Tools for Moms With Teen Summit.
