Family Focus: A Restful Festive Break

The festive season is upon us; a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness and we have certainly had plenty of fun celebrating at school. While it’s natural for children to get excited about gifts, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to help them develop gratitude and an appreciation for what they have.

Here are some tips that you might wish to employ to help create a happy holiday, whilst teaching children to be thankful for the blessings of the season.

Help your children understand that each gift, no matter how big or small, is a gesture of love. As adults, we can model gratitude by showing our appreciation for gifts, whether it’s a drawing from your child or a thoughtful card from a friend.

Teach the “thank-you habit” by encouraging children to say or write thank-you notes for presents they receive. This practice not only shows appreciation but also helps them reflect on the kindness behind each gift. It is also nice to talk about how much thought or time someone might have spent choosing or making the gift.

While gift-giving is a fun part of Christmas, setting boundaries and realistic expectations can help children appreciate what they receive. Christmas is not about how many gifts are under the tree but the thought behind them. Telling stories from your childhood about special gifts you received and why they meant so much to you is a lovely way of sharing this message.

One of the best ways to teach gratitude is by letting children experience the joy of giving. Where possible, encourage children to choose or make gifts for family members.

Just as we have done at Truro School Prep with our Reverse Advent, a daily act of kindness leading up to Christmas can really help children to recognise their own blessings and feel the joy of helping others. Having a good clear out of unwanted toys and clothes to donate to charity is a lovely thing to do together.

The Christmas holiday is a wonderful time to reflect on the things we are thankful for. Here are a few ways we can celebrate gratitude at home:

• Create a family gratitude circle: at dinner or bedtime, take turns sharing something you’re grateful for that day.
• Gratitude jars: set up a jar where everyone can write down things they’re thankful for and read them together on Christmas Day.
• Storytime with a twist: read books about gratitude or generosity, such as The Giving Tree or The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving.
• Speak about non-material things you’re grateful for, like health, friends, or the kindness of others.

Memories of shared experiences often outshine material gifts and the traditions we make at school and at home are gifts that children will carry into adulthood. Activities like decorating the tree, baking or playing board games reinforce the idea that the season is about togetherness, not things. Spending time together watching films in our pyjamas or doing a Christmas treasure hunt are experiences we can all treasure for years to come.

The deeper meaning to Christmas is that it is a season for love, generosity, and thinking of others. By nurturing gratitude and focusing on what truly matters, we can help our children grow into thoughtful, appreciative individuals.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful, joyful Christmas filled with love and gratitude.