There comes a time when you turn around and suddenly your kid knows a lot more than you thought they did. One of the times when a lot of people are affected by that is the holidays.
Little ones grow up fast and learn about Santa, for example. In different families and faiths, it looks different, but the problem of jaded big kids still remains.
It's hard to keep kids as engaged in the magical aspects of the holiday after that. They see beyond the shiny cheer and see what it takes behind the scenes. Some get disenchanted with the whole thing.
There are a lot of reasons why you'd want to stop that from happening. The holidays are a fun time to celebrate and live on the whimsical side, no matter what exactly you're celebrating or how old you happen to be. This year, the need for that feels a little greater than usual.
There are also younger siblings to think about in many families. The last thing you need is to be fighting with a Debbie Downer in front of an excited younger child in the midst of all the other holiday chaos.
Thankfully, there are other ways to get kids into the holiday spirit. It's all about reframing the experience while still keeping things special.
Make Them Part of the Mission
The best way to keep an older kid into the holidays is by making them an important part of someone else's experience. Whether the holidays mean a lot to a younger sibling or a grandparent, your older kid is someone you can level with. Explain to them that we sometimes step out of our own comfort zones when it means a lot to someone else.
For some families, this may mean roping your older kid into the illusion of Santa. For others, it may just be grinning and bearing it. Regardless, it's good for kids to feel they're part of one side or the other rather than isolated from the whole experience.
Get Into the Meaning of Giving
Older kids are ready to learn about some of the larger themes of the holiday season. The importance of giving is one you'll always want to emphasize. Show your big kid what's at the root of the idea that it's better to give than receive.
Make New Traditions
As old traditions get phased out, don't leave a hole where they were. You have the opportunity to replace them with things that make more sense for this season of life. Maybe that looks like a gift-wrapping night with your big kid where you order takeout and go wild. Maybe you attend a local holiday event together each year. Find what works for your family, and cherish it as long as it does.
Build It Up
Some of the fun of the holiday season for younger kids is the buildup to it. It's a few weeks each year where everything is a little warmer and more majestic. There's no reason that can't live on with your older kids. You simply need to look to new ways to build the anticipation, such as with a weekly event or a cool advent calendar.
Keep at Least One Old Tradition
Keep an old tradition, even if it feels totally silly. Some years it will seem arduous, even corny. But eventually, it'll come to be something you cherish, even if it is a little cheesy. And your family, whether or not they admit it, will feel it too. It's something small to anchor your family to its history.
Don't Be Afraid To Redefine Festive
Celebrations might look different for your family at different stages of life. Maybe you've always stayed home, but this year you're interested in a Christmas elsewhere (OK, maybe not this year). With older kids, talking about that as a family in a realistic way is totally possible. Even if it doesn't become your new normal, it'll be a cool way to make a new memory.
Let the Older Kids Contribute
If you've got a bunch of older kids, you may want to have them take over some aspect of the holiday. As a team, it's totally possible and could make for a pretty fun experience among them. They know more than you think and have more ways to figure things out than ever before. See what happens when you let them take the reins, with your support in case things go awry.
Go All Out Decorating
If you're into the holidays, you might love decorating. But decorating with young kids who can break things, trip over things, and otherwise cause ruination is not always possible. Get your older kids into the fun and do something elaborate that you can all be proud of.
Plan a Photo Shoot
As kids get into the social media age group, they suddenly become interested in the quality of their pictures. Why not have a holiday family photo shoot? The old-school idea can take on a new life with input from the whole family.
Send Out Holiday Cards
You can enlist older kids in helping you send holiday cards to relatives. It's a great way to keep in touch and keep some of that old-school holiday spirit going. Relatives will also love getting a message from a different member of the family each year.
