The holidays with small children have a magic that’s impossible to replicate at any other time of life. There’s something about the way a toddler gasps at twinkling lights or how a preschooler proudly hangs an ornament upside down that reminds us to slow down, breathe deeply, and savor the season. At The Gingerbread House, we see this magic every day in our classrooms, and we love helping families recognize just how meaningful the “little moments” truly are.
The truth is, the holidays with young children rarely look like the perfect photos we see online. More often, they look like glitter on the dog, lopsided sugar cookies,
and ornaments that mysteriously migrate to the bottom two feet of the tree. But these are the moments you’ll remember long after the toys are forgotten. These small, surprising, sometimes chaotic moments are where childhood shines brightest.
Take, for example, the way a two-year-old sings “Jingle Bells” at full volume, three beats ahead of everyone else. Or the way a preschooler wraps a gift with seventeen pieces of tape because they want it to be “really, really strong.” Even the meltdowns like the four-year-old who cries because their hot cocoa is “too chocolatey” become part of your family’s holiday story. These moments matter because they show your child learning to express themselves, interact with the world, and experience joy in pure, unfiltered ways.
If you’re looking for perspective this time of year, you might enjoy our blog “Surviving and Thriving This Holiday Season With Your Preschooler,” which offers tips for navigating big emotions with grace. One of the best ways to cherish the holidays with little ones is to embrace slow traditions. Children thrive on repetition and simple rituals—reading the same holiday book every night, baking cookies together, or driving through the neighborhood to look at lights. These routines help children feel grounded during a busy season, and they create predictable moments of connection for the whole family. For book ideas to add to your traditions, check out “Holiday Book Guide for Ages 0–5.”
Another beautiful part of celebrating with small children is how they make us see the world differently. Adults tend to rush through December, racing from event to event, but children especially toddlers and preschoolers move through the month with wide-eyed wonder. They notice the way snowflakes stick to their mittens, the jingling of bells on the store door, the silly dancing snowman in someone’s yard. When you slow down and join them in these discoveries, you get to experience the season through their eyes.
Consider bringing your little one outside for a short winter walk, even if the weather isn’t perfect. Outdoor play during the colder months supports emotional well-being, physical development, and resilience. Our article “Cold-Weather Play: Why It Matters More Than You Think” explains the many benefits of winter exploration.
Capturing these holiday moments doesn’t require expensive cameras or elaborate setups. Some of the best memories are preserved simply by pausing long enough to notice what’s happening. Jot down a funny quote in your phone, snap a quick picture of your child hanging ornaments in their pajamas, or record a short video of them singing their favorite festive song. These tiny snippets become treasures in later years.
At The Gingerbread House, we love hearing families share their holiday stories the messy, sweet, heartfelt moments that make this season unforgettable. And in our classrooms, we make space for that same joy by offering hands-on crafts, winter sensory play, cozy read-alouds, and festive learning activities that celebrate the season through play.
So as the holidays continue, we encourage you to let go of perfect and lean into playful. Let your child decorate cookies with far too many sprinkles. Let them wear their Santa pajamas all day. Let them help wrap gifts, even if the results are a little… creative. Childhood is short, and these magical, ordinary holiday moments are the ones that stay with you forever.
From all of us at The Gingerbread House, we wish you a season filled with joy, wonder, and memory-making one small moment at a time.