I've come to realise the importance of creating special Christmas family traditions that will become happy memories they will carry with them into adulthood. Whatever makes your Christmas time special, your teenage needs to be included, even firmly forced, if they are reluctant to join.
When it comes to gifts, we encourage our daughters giving heart, by allowing her to buy us something for Christmas, although we do set a limit to the cost. Whether it's handmade, from a market or the shops, it is fun for them to choose us something, even if you have to give them some ideas, and by spending their pocket money on it, it shows their appreciation to us as well.
Also, when buying gifts for your family and friends for Christmas, be a good example to them by not being overly materialstic or over spending. When we put thought into our gifts, or time, by making them ourselves, we teach them a great life lesson to give from the heart, instead of from your purse.
Keeping teenagers entertained over the holidays can be fun too - from making them the DJ for the Christmas music selection, to playing charades, board and card games, these are all still enjoyable at their age.
If you are doing the Christmas cooking yourself, get them involved in the menu choosing, buying and preparing of the meal. Let your teenage girl OR boy follow the recipe or your instructions for one of the dishes and see how they glow from praise when it is eaten and complimented on.
And in closing, do try to include a reminder to your teenager of the real reason for the season. If they won't attend Church with you, then say a prayer before you enjoy your Christmas meal, so they will remember that they are celebrating Jesus's birth.
