A Very Merry Walkable Christmas
“These neighborhood walks remind me that the Christmas season can be fun and festive without being hectic and expensive.”
#amyshereforthis
I haven’t done an official poll or anything, but I’m willing to bet that most people would categorize December as the most hectic month of the year. The holidays are fun and full of festivities, but there’s also just so much going on all the time. Parties upon parties, busy stores, gifts to buy, cards to send, and all the traditions to uphold make for a jam-packed month.
I love holiday activities as much as the next guy (actually probably more than the next guy because celebrations and traditions are two of my very favorite things), but this year I’m craving a bit of slowness in the midst of our December. After over a year of minimal activity due to the pandemic, our family got used to a schedule with more white space. That fact coupled with the fact that we brought a new baby home in October means that I’m feeling really protective of our time this holiday season.
“The holidays are fun and full of festivities, but there’s also just so much going on all the time. Parties upon parties, busy stores, gifts to buy, cards to send, and all the traditions to uphold make for a jam-packed month.”
#amyshereforthis
So what are we to do when we want to celebrate without overwhelming ourselves with all the parties and activities and general hustle and bustle?
Enter: the neighborhood evening walk.
The neighborhood evening walk has been a bit of a saving grace for our family the last few Decembers. The concept is extremely simple: we go for a walk after dark to look at Christmas lights in our neighborhood. That’s it. That’s the whole thing.
Sometimes we’ll liven it up with some mugs of hot chocolate or Christmas pajamas, but this simple activity has become a special tradition for our family. And it’s a pretty magical tradition because it’s free, just requires us stepping out the front door, and brings some delight to these days of early sundown.
Every year, my kids get excited to see the lights and inflatables our neighbors use to don their homes and yards. We can walk past the same blow-up Grinch 25 times and they’ll be happy to see it every single time. These neighborhood walks remind me that the Christmas season can be fun and festive without being hectic and expensive. Our family can enjoy special time together in simple ways.
So this December, can I encourage you to take some evening neighborhood walks? If your neighborhood isn’t too festive, you could drive to another one that is and walk there! It’s really that simple and I know you’ll enjoy it. Let’s opt for simplicity over hustle this holiday season, shall we?
Let me know what neighborhoods you find the most fun to walk through!
“Our family can enjoy special time together in simple ways.”
#amyshereforthis