Preparing for the Holidays – By Sue Jurjevic

As I was starting to write about focusing on how we prepare ourselves for the holiday; I was thinking about making a to-do list, how we are going to get our shopping done, a list of family gatherings for us to attend… then I decided to research some ideas to help make “preparing for the holidays” a little easier. I came across- Preparing for the Holidays- Three Questions to Ask. Questions? The only questions I could think of were- what the children want, what cookies to make, which parties to attend; however the questions I found were different.

What will the holidays look like for our family this year?

We focus on traditions old and new, budget, family dynamics and more.

• Do we go out of town or have family visit us?
• Do we host our annual holiday party or do we join with another family or friend and host it jointly?

In light of our holiday plans, what will I teach my children this season?

We always have the opportunity to teach our children new things or instill values and life lessons.

• Choosing to adopt a family in need or donate to a cause in lieu of gift giving
• Attend outings and functions to utilize their social skills
• Do not do it alone- include the children in the process, planning and implementing of plans and activities

What can I do now to prepare ahead?

Planning ahead helps us to be prepared so we can focus and enjoy what we have planned.

• Create a family calendar- social activities, traditions, baking, shopping, etc.
• Have frequent family meetings
• Sharing the joys of the holidays is more important than doing and attending everything

I found these questions helpful as I hope you do as well. Sharing these questions with your family will hopefully give you insight to what is important to them and their favorite memories and holiday happenings are.

As you prepare your calendar please visit manassasparkcommunitycenter.com to know our hours of operation, Holiday Happenings, and days we are closed for Extended Care and Preschool.

Hoping your holidays are filled with fun, family, friends, traditions, rest, and relaxation.

Sue Jurjevic is a Recreation Specialist for the Manassas Park Parks and Recreation Department. She can be reached at 703.335.8872 or via email at s.jurjevic@manassasparkva.gov

Community Matters is a blog created by the City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation. The blog features program updates, announcements of new services, special event notices, or information of general interest.

Originally published on The Inspired Room