Tell me if this feels familiar:

“The cookies have to be perfect. They looked so cute on that Instagram post and if these are going to the potluck, every sprinkle needs to be in place.”

Or this?

“I just wanted to have one fun festive outing without any fighting. But we can’t even make it out the door.”

Or what about this?

“I’ve added that toy to my Amazon cart and taken it out at least five times. I just want Christmas to be special, but what if he just feels disappointed?”

As parents, we put so much pressure on ourselves to create the most magical season. The perfect cookies, the perfect outings where everyone is perfectly jolly. We frantically patrol Pinterest and Instagram for inspo, scrolling through lists of holiday party games, menus and outfits, and collecting all of the gift guides to stuff stockings to the brim and crowd the tree with presents everyone will love.

But we’ve been wondering…is all of that really where the magic lies?

I remember my mom and I’ve been asking myself how she always managed to make every Christmas season just as magical and special as the last. I’ve realized it wasn’t ever about one-upping herself from the previous year. And really, it wasn’t even about the presents at all. It was (and still is) in her ability to focus more on the people and create moments that have lasted in our memories forever.

Taking the time to pick out the right Christmas CD and set up the decorations together (always finding a new broken ornament no matter how carefully we had packed them up last year).

Writing thank you notes (yes–handwritten!) to people who have touched her life.

Talking late into the night by the glow of the Christmas tree.

This year has felt extra stressful in a lot of ways. So, at Iksplor, we’re feeling extra motivated to take a step back and shift our focus from the gifts under the tree to the people they are for. Because that is where the magic is.

In the excited giggles at the first snowflakes of the season.

In the giddy anticipation (and even in the traumatized screams and tears) of getting a picture with Santa.

In the little eyes reflecting all the twinkling lights.

In the rosy cheeks and frigid fingers from an afternoon of being out in the snow.

In the entire cup (or more) of flour that missed the mixing bowl and somehow ended up on the counter, the floor, and in everyone’s hair.

We don’t have to recreate the magic. We just need to slow down enough to notice it and experience it–in the pretty and the messy of all the things the holiday season brings.

So, in that spirit, here are some ideas to help you be present and let the season work its magic!

Outdoor Adventures (Don’t forget to layer up in your merino!)

• Sledding, snow angels and snowmen, snowball fights

• Family ski day

• Go on a walk through the neighborhood to see all the Christmas lights

• Winter science experiments! Frozen bubbles, snow volcanoes. There are so many fun things to do and you can find them all just by searching on Google

• Go on a winter nature walk

In the Kitchen (Embrace the mess!)

• Make gingerbread houses

• Bake some yummy goodies

• Have a hot cocoa bar! – Whether it’s homemade or good ol’ Swiss Miss, gather your favorite toppings (peppermint bits, sprinkles, marshmallows, whipped cream, etc.) and have at it!

Get Crafty (Again, let it be messy!)

• Christmas coloring party! You can find free coloring pages via a quick Google search.

• Bonus: You can print giant coloring pages for pretty cheap at your local office supply store

• Make homemade ornaments together

• Paper snowflakes (here’s a video on how to fold them)

Inside Fun

• Work on puzzles

• Build legos together (if you don’t want to do gingerbread houses, make your best winter destination out of legos!)

• Have a Christmas dance party! (You can also have a Christmas karaoke sesh in the car on the way to school)

• Play board games or card games together

• Christmas movie night (grab those yummy snacks you made and snuggle up)

• Read books together in your PJs

• Cozy up by the fireplace and roast marshmallows or hot dogs

• Have an indoor snowball fight! (You can find plush pretend snowballs for pretty cheap or make your own out of paper)

Spread Some Christmas Cheer!

• Draw pictures or write letters to someone who means a lot to you

• Spend a couple minutes at the end of the day and share what you’re grateful for

• Find local events and invite friends & family to join you

• Take some of those goodies you made and put together plates or goodie bags for teachers, postal workers, or other neighbors to show how you appreciate them. (We found some cute holiday tupperware at Walmart and made a care package with fuzzy socks, chocolates, and some other fun things)

• Play this gratitude game with M&Ms (Here)

And there’s SO MUCH MORE!

Bonus Tip: Put your favorite ideas on slips of paper (you can print this list off here) and put them in a jar and pick one to do each day. Or, if you want to plan ahead a little more, put one in an envelope for each day for your kids to open. Just opening the envelope will become magical all on its own. ❤️

We want you all to know how grateful we are for this community, especially this time of year. We hope you take the time to be patient and present and that the holiday season can be meaningful and magical for everyone.