If there's one thing I've learned as the years have gone by, it's how important it is to spend time with my mom. I don't know what it is, but there's something about Christmas that just makes me feel like a kid again, and I always want to spend time with my mom!
But it can be hard to find good, quality bonding time with your mom around the holidays, seeing as there's so much to do. Don't worry, though. There are some easy ways to spend time with your mom this holiday season, and you'll be so glad that you did.
1. Bake Together
Nothing brings people together like being in the kitchen. Growing up, I'd watch my mom bake so many different treats at Christmas time, including my favorite haystack cookies. Invite your mom over for a day of baking - just the two of you. There will be so much laughter and chatting, you may not get a lot of baking done, but you won't care. The stuff you do end up making will be made with love, and will make great hostess gifts for any parties you're invited to.
2. Volunteer
Too often we think about Christmas as a season of gifts, but it's really about giving back to others who may not have as much. Volunteering is such a fulfilling way to help out in your community around the holidays, so why not invite your mom to come with you? You'll both get the satisfaction of giving back, and you'll have some fun memories to look back on later in life.
3. Watch Cheesy Christmas Movies
Okay, this one is my guilty pleasure! Every year, my mom and I gather up a bunch of junk food, put on our coziest jammies, and spend a night (or whole day!) watching those silly Hallmark movies they show on TV. The plot is never good, and neither is the acting, but my mom and I get a huge kick out of the cheesy stories, and we both secretly love watching them over and over!
4. Go For A Snowy Walk
The snow may be a nuisance to some, but to me and my mom and I it's so pretty! We love how everything looks when it's covered in fluffy white snow. Somehow everything seems so peaceful, and as though nothing can go wrong. Make a point of grabbing a coffee or hot chocolate and going for a walk with your mom. It doesn't have to be very long, but take some time to disconnect from technology and just chat as you enjoy the beautiful scenery.
5. Go Christmas Shopping Together
This may sound stressful, but I find some of the most fun trips with friends are just doing things you were going to do alone, anyway. Christmas shopping can be a personal experience, because you have to think about what the people on your list would truly enjoy. It definitely makes sense to bring your mom along with you, because mother definitely knows best! Plus, you can point out some things you may be interested in.
6. Wrap Gifts Together
Wrapping gifts takes a decent amount of time, and it can get tedious when you have to sit by yourself and deal with it all. Why not ask your mom to sit with you and chat while you do it? You can use that time to reminisce about your favorite Christmas memories, or even just ask her how her day went.
7. Decorate The Tree
Oh my gosh, decorating the tree is my favorite part of the holidays. The Christmas tree represents so much during the holidays, and having your mom help you decorate it is just so special. When my family decorated the tree as we grew up, each ornament represented a memory or special moment in our lives. With every ornament we placed on the tree, we explained why we liked it and what about it was so special. I loved that tradition and carried it on when I got my own place. I invite my mom over every year and we do the same thing, except now I have new ornaments with new memories mixed in with some of the classics.
