The Christmas Season is HERE! The time of year for Hallmark movies, hot cocoa, shopping, gift wrapping, and a spouse/partner? Ugh! Single. No spouse. How do single moms manage during this holiday season?
Last year, the reality of being single weighed heavy on my heart. I was ready to curl up on the couch to watch Hallmark movies — I would convince him to love them — and immerse myself in the bliss of celebrating “the most wonderful time of the year” with my partner.
Well, that fantasy has not become reality, just yet! I am 100% positive that my future spouse is on his way. So, to ensure I do not migrate to Lonelyville, I have decided to concentrate on the JOY this time of year delivers. There are numerous ways that we single mothers can celebrate the holidays until our spouse is present in our lives.
Last night, the misses and I started our Christmas fun! We wrapped gifts, watched The Santa Clause (a classic), popped popcorn, and made hot chocolate. Would a spouse add more magic to our family? Possibly! But I refuse to allow his absence to add worry and steal my JOY. I am learning every day is a blessing, and I have to enjoy these moments with my girls.
New Traditions
Another JOYous way to celebrate the holidays is to create new traditions with your little ones. I believe in incorporating my daughters’ thoughts on how we can make Christmas extra magical. Their suggestion this year was to purchase . . . an artificial tree! Mommy truth: I was not happy with this suggestion. Wait, hear me out. For the past thirty-five years, my tradition with my parents was purchasing a live Christmas tree. However, as a mother, I bought the artificial tree and allowed them to decorate it by themselves. Looking at the tree, it turned out to be very beautiful, and the glow on their faces is priceless. In addition to this, a new tradition was born. Each year, we will have two trees! How fun is that? The girls can decorate their “special” tree. Then, we can decorate the live tree together as a family. 
Movies, Gift Wrapping, & Cocoa
Incorporating new traditions, enjoy classic Christmas movies while gift wrapping and making hot cocoa or cookies. If you are super creative, try making Christmas decorations or crafts. My girls love projects that require cookie cutters, glue, scissors, and anything messy. The main focus is on having fun. Our children are happy we are spending time together creating fun memories and not doing chores!
Here is a list of my favorite Christmas movies:
1) Home Alone (1 and 2) – FAVORITE
2) The Santa Clause (1 and 2)
3) The Grinch
4) Frozen
5) Elf
6) The Princess Switch
7) Jack Frost
8) The Little Drummer Boy
9) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
10) The Polar Express
11) Frosty the Snowman
12) Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
13) A Charlie Brown Christmas
14) Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
15) Jingle All the Way
Therefore, Single Moms, do not allow the absence of a spouse/partner to change your perception of the holiday season. Enjoy this JOYous season with your kiddos and generate memories that will sustain you for a lifetime.
