Creating your family’s holiday traditions
CHRISTMAS LIGHTING
WHEN: Dusk to 10 p.m., through Christmas Day WHERE: 55th Street in the Foothills GOING ON: Annual Christmas lighting on 55th Street between Montana and El Camino del Diablo; this year’s theme “The Night Before Christmas;” directions: Foothills Blvd. south to 54th Street, right onto Montana, left onto 55th Street; drive carefully, watch for pedestrians; no donations accepted
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS HOUR
WHEN: 10 to 11 a.m. WHERE: Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens, 240 S. Madison Ave. GOING ON: Enjoy a classic Christmas story and old-fashioned fun making holiday decorations; the Sanguinetti House Museum opens just for children; reservations required COST: $5 per child; parents free INFO: To reserve your spot, call (928) 782-1841 or email ykruse@azhs.gov
TOY DRIVE
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. WHERE: Littlewood Fine Art & Community Co-Op, 1480 S. 2nd Ave. GOING ON: The goal is to help 100 local Yuma families by donating toys, clothes, books, art supplies; donation centers: Team Ramco Transmissions, 4701 Gila Ridge Road; 1st Bank Yuma, 1800 S. 4th Ave.; Prison Hill Brewing Co., 278 S. Main St., and Littlewood Co-Op INFO: Contact Stefanie Littlewood at littlewoodcoop@gmail.com or call (702) 806-4502
WHEEZY’S TAKEOVER
WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. WHERE: Wheezy’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, 11732 S. Fortuna Road GOING ON: 10 percent of your bill will be donated to Old Souls Rescue to support their mission of rescuing geriatric, special needs and hospice animals; raffle, Tiny Chula will greet customers INFO: Contact Paula Rivadeneira at oldsoulsk9rescue@gmail.com or call (928) 362-2364
Christmas is such a magical time. It’s the season to spend time with family, friends and loved ones. It’s the time to demonstrate our appreciation and love through kind words, small tokens of appreciation and quality time. During this time, parents want to cherish their children and demonstrate their love through fun gatherings, exciting activities and sweet gifts. Many times these activities become traditions that the family enjoys together every year. However, there is an unavoidable time when children grow up, get married, have children of their own and build their own traditions.
During the last few years, my husband and I have been trying to figure out what traditions our family will embrace. Even so, we have faced so many challenges that have caused every year to be different. Three years ago I was in pregnancyassociated bed rest and spent Christmas on the couch! Last year, for the first time, we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family and New Year’s at our home. This year, however, I want to make sure that we focus on what our family wants to do for the holidays. Building traditions can be challenging, as it may require spending less time with your parents, siblings and extended family and it may require spending more time with your immediate family.
I want to share a few tips from Dennis and Barbara Rainey of Family Life that I have been considering as we decide what traditions my family will embrace during the holidays. I hope that they are helpful to you, as they have been helpful to me.
• Be flexible: Depending on what is going on with your family, you may need to celebrate a few days earlier or later.
• Be proactive: Address hurt feelings ahead of time so that emotions don’t take the best of everybody during the holiday season.
• Be brief: Make your stays short and sweet so that they end on a positive note.
• Be firm: Don’t let anything get in the way from doing what is right for your family.
• Be kind: Don’t overanalyze; be compassionate with your loved ones.
• Keep Christ central: Give to those in need, share with those who are without families and be grateful to God for the blessings you have.
• Deal proactively with holiday stress: Plan for a busy schedule and analyze your commitments.
• Confront your memories: Deal honestly, openly, and prayerfully about what your expectations for Christmas are.
• Set and keep a budget: Plan gift-giving and stay within your budget.
• Keep it simple: You don’t have to spend and lot of time, money or resources. Love is all we need!
• Make it special: Focus on having a great time and do not dwell on problems.
These vague tips offer great advice to encourage you and your family to build traditions, but ultimately it is up to you and what works for you. Above all, keep in mind that it is a time of peace, joy, blessings and love! Merry Christmas!
Diana Maldonado, Community Outreach Specialist at Yuma Regional Medical Center, can be reached at dmaldonado@yumaregional.org.