Adapting Holiday Traditions to Suit Every Generation
No matter your age, the holidays bring much anticipation and expectation. Little ones eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus, while teens and young adults eagerly await a break from their studies. Adults who are busy raising a family anticipate the looks on their children’s faces come Christmas morning. Seniors anticipate gathering with their families and sharing favorite holiday traditions. While there’s much to anticipate over the holiday season, meeting everyone’s expectations is not always possible. This is especially true for growing families whose age ranges stretch across multiple generations. Adults stuck in the sandwich generation, that is, they are simultaneously caring for their aging loved ones and their own families, the holidays can be a dreaded season. The pressure to meet everyone’s wants and needs can cause anyone in the sandwich generation to phone in the holiday season. Instead of giving up this holiday season, here are a few ways to adapt your holiday traditions in order to suit every generation.
Simplify Gift Giving
As families grow, gift giving can quickly get out-of-hand. This is especially true when the first grandchildren or great-grandchildren come along. Instead of setting a precedence that you cannot meet each season, use the arrival of the newest generation to simplify your gift giving. Encourage the patriarchs of the family to give a monetary gift to each of their adult grandchildren. Suggest that everyone draws names amongst the adults and give gifts to only the children. If there are a lot of children, suggest a family name draw, and give a gift that entire family can enjoy, such as an experience or museum pass.
Stick to What’s Working
As the holidays approach, take a moment to reflect on what went well last year and what had you most frazzled. Then, plan to let go of traditions that just aren’t working anymore. This allows your family to make room for new traditions and creates a more unified family unit as you welcome new members. It also allows you, as a family, to celebrate what’s most important and can help you stay grounded amidst the holiday flurry.
Meet in the Middle
It can be difficult to navigate the holidays when various generations are involved. Instead of trying to please everyone, ask your family to meet you in the middle. Do your elderly parents insist on hosting everyone on Christmas day, yet your adult children with small ones at home want to start their own traditions? Perhaps your adult children can spend the morning at home, and everyone can gather at grandma and grandpa’s for a nice holiday dinner? Does your aging loved one tire easily in a large group setting? Suggest that your family visit in smaller groups throughout the holiday season, allowing your loved one more quality time with each family unit.
Involve Everyone
You may think that your teenagers are giving you a hard time as they sit there on their smart phones at their grandparents’, but they may just be looking for an excuse to put their phone away. Include them in the holiday preparations. Teens love to feel grown up and just need pointed in the right direction. Ask grandma to teach her grandchildren her secret cookie recipe. Ask your dad to share the meaning behind your family’s favorite holiday traditions with the grandkids. Don’t miss the opportunity for everyone to play their part this holiday season.
Celebrate What’s New
Finally, instead of focusing on what you must give up, celebrate what’s new. Was there an influx in grandchildren or great-grandchildren this year? Is there someone missing from your holiday table because they moved away to start that new job and couldn’t make it this year? Is your house more quiet this holiday season because your kids are spending time with their in-laws? Whatever is new for you this holiday season, turn it into a celebration. Then, find a new way to spend the holidays. Get together with friends who are in a similar situation. Use technology, such as FaceTime, to stay connected with long-distant family. Pass down a holiday heirloom to the next generation.
Visiting Angels Fort Worth would like to take a moment to wish all our clients and their families a wonderful holiday season. We also want to give a round of applause to those working hard to make this holiday season the best one yet. We understand the challenges of caring for an aging loved one, while trying to balance the needs of your family. Balance can be especially difficult to find during the holiday season. We’re here to help. Our senior home care services are the perfect solution for those seeking more balance in their lives. Let us take on some of the responsibility you shoulder so that you can focus on you. Perhaps you’re traveling this holiday season and worry about leaving your aging loved one home alone. Our respite care services are perfect for those looking for short-term care, and also are a great way to transition your aging loved one to more consistent care should you choose to continue. Give us a call today to learn more about our amazing senior home care services.