Holiday Yoga for the Family
Written by A. Simon - December 2019
Copyright - Minnesota Kid’s Yoga Co. LLC
HOliday Time is for family time…
It was recently suggested in a popular family blog article that “giving your kids less, actually teaches them they have more.” In other words, when your kids are more grateful for simple gifts that are meaningful, rather than getting an abundance of gifts that they don’t really care for, it teaches them to find value in quality things rather than in quantity.
This can be said for adults too. When we have too many clothes, or too many house decor items, or even too much food in our cupboards, we often forget where we put things, and continue to buy more because it’s “easier” or even more fun!
Things like Cyber-Monday, Black-Friday, and Holiday-Sales make people think they need more. It is so tempting to find good-deals, and even more tempting to stay in-trend with the newest items. Commercials, marketing ads, and emails are constant digital reminders that convince us we need more to be happier. However, being present, mindful, and grateful, teaches us to want less, and in-turn love what we already have.
Therefore, when approaching this holiday season with your family — worry less about buying things, and instead, spend more time together. Have evenings where you and the kids do winter-themed yoga in the living room together. Play board games, go on a scavenger hunt around the house (looking for painted pinecones), or build a snow fort together. Memories are much more meaningful than stuff. Your kids won’t remember every gift you give them, and they certainly won’t appreciate an abundance of gifts as much as they will adore the quality moments and memories you build together.
Finally, create traditions that can last a lifetime. Go caroling, or look at lights around your neighborhood block. Make homemade hot cocoa together, or bake cookies with extra sprinkles. When kids know what to expect through traditions each season/holiday, they find the joy in family time over the joy in gifts. Work to make the center of your holiday this year be EACH OTHER rather than material things.
Lastly, if you must buy things, buy experiences. Buy your kids a yoga class, a yoga picture book, or a trip to a state park where you can do snow activities together. Get them new gloves to build snowmen with, or a ticket to a local museum that teaches them about science and history. When kids explore the world around them, they find simple pleasures through innate curiosity.
Print this cheat-sheet on “3 Ways to be Mindful & Merry” to remind yourself what’s important this holiday!
For more fun holiday yoga ideas, read these helpful blogs: