Being a kid on Christmas is a special feeling. It’s that time of year where many rules get suspended, holiday traditions take place and we’re surrounded by family, gifts and treats. It’s also a season of love, kindness and generosity where we spend extra time and effort thinking about our close ones and how we can send joy their way.
As parents, how can we make this season of giving more meaningful for our children? This article will give you some ideas on how you can make Christmas different, yet fun and memorable for your Oddstars.
1. Go caroling around the ‘hood
If Christmas had a soundtrack, you’d bet classic carols would fill the playlist. It’s the holiday season, spread some cheer by reminding your neighbours that they’re not alone!
Share with your children about what Christmas was like before. Revive an old tradition by knocking on your neighbours’ doors and belting out classic Christmas carols together as a family. Unless you’re a modern-day version of the Von Trapp family, the louder and the more “odd-tune”, the better!
P.S. Simon Cowell won’t be judging your family so belt out the classics! 😜 
2. Start new family traditions
Traditions build a foundation for family values and let your family bond together. A huge way to make holidays an extra special and meaningful season is to establish family traditions while your Oddstars are still young.
Decorating sugar cookies can be a simple but rewarding and fun experience for your kids! (Photo by Pixabay)
You can pass down traditions from your or your partner’s families—or make up your own. They don’t have to be elaborate. You could adopt simple ideas such as:
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Having an indoor camp-out in the living room by the Christmas tree on Christmas eve
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Leaving out a carrot and mince pie with a tot of brandy for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve
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Baking classic vanilla cookies in the shapes of gingerbread men, candy canes, and Christmas trees
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Serving dishes and treats using your mum’s, grandmother’s, or aunt’s favourite holiday recipes
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Snuggling on the sofa together to watch classic Christmas movies
These could be some sweet traditions to add to long-standing ones, like how your kids will fight over the same spoon or that toilet paper core during their extended time together over the school break…
3. Dress up for Christmas dinner
Make Christmas dinner more festive and colourful by running a dress-up theme. Whether it’s wearing the corny look in your best “ugly Christmas sweater”, mandatory Christmas socks, or showing up in the colour of your favourite Oddbod character, a little effort and coordination could make your family dinner more engaging. Don’t forget to up the stakes by preparing a prize for the best dressed!
Don’t forget your Santa hats and Christmas sweaters! (Photo by RODNAE Productions)
Speaking of dress-up: let your kids get involved in decorating the Christmas tree. Have them suggest odd and quirky decorations to hang on your tree. If you’re feeling crafty, guide them in making hanging ornaments using recycled materials or edible Christmas tree decorations that can be gobbled up afterwards. Some food decor ideas include:
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Threading marshmallows together to wrap around the tree
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Hanging ice-cream cones filled with treats such as chocolates or sweets
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Dangling colourful, Christmas-themed sugar icing cookies
Tag us on Instagram if you do give these a try. We’d love to see your odd creations! We take no credit for any mess created ;-).
4. Assign a “L-odd of Misrule”
Centuries ago, communities in Britain and other parts of Europe would appoint a “Lord of Misrule” to a person (usually a peasant) who would rule over the noblemen and become in charge of organising Christmas revelries. Similarly, you could assign one child to be the “L-odd of Misrule” to be “in charge” of deciding how your family will celebrate Christmas this year. For instance, the L-odd gets to decide what games the family should play on Christmas, desserts to be served after Christmas dinner or which Christmas movie that everyone must watch.
You could appoint the L-odd through drawing lots or something similar. This drums up anticipation among your kids, even though we know it’s tempting to pick your most sensible child. (We’d absolutely do the same.) Go on a merry family adventure and see what happens!
Out of the seven Oddbods characters, we’d certainly pick Pogo because he totally fits the bill wouldn’t he?
5. Sit by a Real Fireplace (Or a Fake TV Version)
Make loving Christmas memories in your home by sitting by the fireplace. (Photo by Kyle Head )
Revive the traditional image of sitting by a fireplace together this Christmas. Bonus if you have cups of hot chocolate and marshmallows, and extra bonus points plus a trophy if nobody spills any on your carpets! 😜
Jeff surely wouldn’t appreciate a dirty carpet — neither would we!
While the festive period is fun, it also means getting busy with gift shopping and running other Christmas errands. Sitting by a fireplace—or a TV version if you don’t have any—can be an opportunity to wind down with your kids and indulge in a break.
If the mood is right and nobody is interrupting your peace because they want to pee, you could also go around in a circle and ask each family member what they’re thankful for this holiday season.
6. Give your children opportunities to be Santa Claus to others
Make the season of giving more meaningful by showing your kids what it means to care for others. Activities you can do to teach your Oddstars about community spirit include:
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Making Christmas cards for workers around your neighbourhood or the children’s hospital
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Baking cookies to share with neighbours, friends, and family
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Ask your elderly neighbour if they need help clearing snow from their yard or steps, and getting kids to help too!
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Starting a free food stand or pantry in your yard stocked with non-perishable food items where people can take what they need or give what they can
Sitting down with your child to make Christmas cards together can be a mindful activity, too. (Photo by Cottonbro )
Take lots of photos of your Oddstars getting involved. These sweet memories might come in handy next time your child becomes a terror. Only us parents know!
7. Simplify Christmas for your family
Our last tip almost sounds ironic given the preceding list, but hear us out! The Oddbods want to remind you that Christmas doesn’t have to be elaborate and picture-perfect. In an age of Pinterest crafts and perfect Instagram shots, it’s more than okay if your decor is mismatched or “rustic”, your house has pockets of mess and neglect (we’re looking at you, Pile of Unfolded Clothes) or if you didn’t stay up late to prepare Christmas craft activities for your kids to do.
Kids cherish family holiday memories all the same. What’s more important is spending time together and letting your kids know that you love them.
Celebrating Christmas also signals that you’ve powered through another year juggling your parenting duties together with many other responsibilities. Make Christmas more meaningful for yourself by skipping traditions you don’t feel up for. And yes, that includes anything we’ve suggested earlier.
As parents of precious Oddstars, know that you are the world to your children and that you’re more than enough.
Let our children remind us of the joy of simply being together. (Photo by Any Lane )
Have a Holly Jolly, Odd-ly Christmas! 🎅🏻🎄
