Flip the script on a “Busy December”
December is a special kind of whirlwind.
For parents, it’s a month packed with holiday performances, work parties, charity events, piano recitals, and all the other magical (and often obligatory) traditions. We juggle it all—striving to create a season filled with joy and wonder for our kids while trying to keep our heads above the tinsel-strewn waters.
And let’s be honest, sometimes it feels a lot.
But here’s the thing: I don’t do it because I feel obligated.
I do it because I find JOY in it.
Yes, December is chaotic, but it’s also an opportunity to make magic.
Our Holiday Calendar
A couple of years ago, I started a tradition that helped me flip the script from feeling over-scheduled to finding joy.
This didn’t start as a grand plan—it happened by accident.
What I realized is that I know what’s happening, but the kids had no clue. I needed to make something they could see and understand.
So, I grabbed some markers and created a colorful calendar for my kids, laying out all the festive activities we had planned. It was a simple way to help them feel grounded in the excitement and to give them a sense of what was coming next.
What I didn’t expect was how much joy it would bring me.
Why the Calendar Matters
As parents, we live by our digital calendars. We know every detail of what’s coming, down to the minute. But for kids, the holidays can feel like a blur. They know Christmas is coming, but they don’t have the context to see the full picture—or the anticipation of all the little moments leading up to it.
Creating a visual holiday calendar brings the season to life for them. It’s more than a schedule; it’s a magical, colorful representation of the joy we’ll share through the season. And for my daughter, who thrives on knowing the plan, it’s a game-changer.
How It Works
Once the kids are asleep, usually in early December when the activities have started to stack up up, I sit down with my Google calendar, our marker jars, and some paper. I map out everything we’ve planned for the next couple of weeks—making sure to work-in their holiday favorites:
Our December faves:
Kid recitals/ performances
The Nutcracker
Zoo Lights
Gingerbread houses
Driving to see lights
Polyphonic Spree Christmas Extravaganza!
Cookies for Santa
Christmas Eve Children’s Service (a live nativity tells the story of the season)
Each event gets a little doodle or splash of color. It’s not fancy—just joyful.
And when I’m done, I tape it to the fridge, front and center.
My kids wake up every morning to find this visual reminder of the festivities ahead. It builds excitement and makes the season feel tangible for them.
This tradition has taught me to reframe the December “bust season”. It’s not about feeling over-scheduled; it’s about curating a season of connection, wonder, and joy.
When I see my kids run to the fridge to check “what’s next” on the calendar, it reminds me that the work—the planning, the juggling, the effort—is worth it. These are the memories they’ll carry with them, just as I carry the ones my mom created for me.
How do you bring the magic of the holidays to life for your family? I’d love to hear your favorite traditions—or maybe even see your version of a holiday calendar!
#HolidayMagic #ParentingTraditions #DecemberJoy #FlipTheScript #MakingMemories