Tips for Being a Step Parent at Christmas

Being a parent at Christmas can be stressful. Being a stepparent at Christmas can be even more of a challenge. While navigating holiday traditions in a stepfamily has obstacles, creating meaningful memories can bring your new family together and help you focus on unity rather than division. Here are some ideas to help you develop a sense of unity and joy during the holiday season:

Personalized Ornaments

One way to create lasting memories is to make or buy personalized ornaments representing each family member. Every year, add a new ornament for each person to symbolize the growth and changes in your blended family and their individual lives. This tradition can help all members feel included and appreciated.

Family Portrait

Make a new tradition of having a family photo or formal portrait taken each holiday season. These new images will be more than a precious keepsake; they represent a deliberate symbol of a unified family. Use the photos to decorate your home or send them out as Christmas cards to loved ones. However, you decide to use them, making the effort to take these special photos will be unifying for all members of the family.

Volunteer Together

Engage in a volunteer activity together as a family, such as serving at church or a local shelter, participating in a toy drive, or baking treats for the less fortunate. Acts of service create powerful bonds, reinforce Christian values of generosity and gratitude, and help blended families work together for a common purpose.

Photo Albums or Scrapbooks

Make a holiday photo album or scrapbook documenting your blended family’s celebrations each year. Encourage each family member to contribute photos, drawings, a written reflection, or a small memento. Over time, this book will become a cherished keepsake.

Advent Calendars

Create custom advent calendars with activities or small gifts for each day leading up to Christmas. Involve the whole family in planning and creating the calendar or work with your partner to surprise the children. Make sure that the activities include things everyone can do together. Tuck slips of paper into each “day” with a suggested activity such as watching a movie together or baking a sweet treat.

Game Nights

Host a holiday-themed game night for your whole family. Choose games that everyone will enjoy and can participate in, such as Bingo. Consider incorporating some friendly competition to make the evenings more engaging. Be careful not to make the competition too heated, as that might create more division than unity.

When You Feel Overwhelmed

Seeking counseling from a professional therapist during the holiday season can be a valuable step in managing the unique stress and emotional issues that arise during this time of year. The holidays, while joyous, can also bring up feelings of loneliness, grief, anxiety, comparison and sadness. This is especially true in a newly blended family.

A professional therapist can provide strategies and support to help navigate these emotions, ensuring that the season remains a celebration of Christ and a time of meaningful connection. Counseling can also be a safe place to discuss and address any family dynamics or personal struggles that might be causing anxiety. Discussing these issues can help to develop healthier relationships and a more peaceful holiday experience.

To meet with one of the Christian counselors at our location about being a stepparent during the holidays, call our office today.