"My youngest son texted not long after to let me know he got three full days off for Christmas. He'll be bringing his cat for a visit. We'll all buy him cat treats. We will prepare casseroles and cookies, as well as overnight cinnamon rolls for the morning. We will wait to watch the main event, the Christmas movies, until we are all together."
"I thought those Christmases were the best I would ever see as a mom because I think that's the story we are sold. Christmas is for kids. It's better with kids. It's more fun, more magical, more everything. And I'll tell you that I really wrung every second of joy out of Christmas when my kids were little in an absolute panic of memory-making."
Adult children returning home transform holiday pressure into renewed joy by reviving and reshaping family rituals. Preparations include Secret Santa planning, stocking stuffer choices, a son bringing his cat, casseroles, cookies and overnight cinnamon rolls, and waiting to watch Christmas movies together. Earlier years focused intensely on creating magical, memory-filled experiences with Santa, baking, gingerbread houses, matching pajamas and curated ornaments. Those efforts compensated for other yearly shortcomings and produced anxious memory-making. The current phase blends old traditions with new, lower-pressure rituals that strengthen bonds, increase happiness, and create lasting family continuity.
Read at Business Insider
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