5 Ways to be a Memory Maker

Ask me to tell you about my all time favorite holiday gifts and I would only be able to remember one. A plastic musical guitar with the band KISS and their makeup filled faces on the instrument. Unfortunately for my family, I ran around the house singing "They call me Dr. Love" for a few days. But if you asked me to remember my favorite holiday memories I would be able to recall a host of traditions, events, and special moments. I would tell you about my Dad making homemade pizza every Christmas Eve at midnight. I would tell you about foot prints in our fire place that my parents said were made by Santa. We still have pictures to prove it. I remember wanting to send them to the newspaper to prove all the doubters wrong. I remember decorating the Christmas tree and lighting the Hanukkah candles with my family every year. We celebrated both holidays in my family. Most of all I remember the love and the music that filled the air during these special family gatherings.

Now as an adult I realize that the holiday season is not defined by the material gifts we give and receive but by the gift of love we share and the memories that we create together. Through the years presents are lost and become outdated but special memories are something that last forever. So this holiday season I want to encourage you to become a Memory Maker.

Action Steps

1. Make Memories for Yourself - During this holiday season say to yourself, "When I look back what do I want to remember about this time? Do I want to remember myself as a stressed out, unhappy, angry person or do I want to remember the joy I felt, the connections I made, the gifts of the heart I have given and the special moments I have shared."

2. Make Memories for Your Children - If you have children and you are feeling stressed about all the things you have to do, stop for a moment and ask yourself, "20 years from now what do I want my children to remember? What memories do I want to define their childhood?" Then create them. It's not about the presents.

3. Start a Tradition - It's never too late to start a new tradition. Traditions connect one generation to the next and they make life more meaningful. Tell a story, read a specific book, go to church or temple, go Christmas caroling, make a certain meal, bake a specific dessert, volunteer, sponsor a family in need. Start a tradition and let it create memories every year.

4. Give Meaningful Gifts - In a world of so much stuff and maxed out credit cards... buy less this year, yet give more. Give more by giving gifts that have meaning. So whether it's a special book, a picture, a poem, a painting, or a symbol of your love, give a gift with meaning and it will create a memory forever.

5. ________________How do you make memories? Share on our blog.

Happy HOLY DAYS,

From The Gordon Family to you and your Family