All of us want to provide a merry Christmas for our kids… happy holiday memories that will last a lifetime… at age 18, Jace already has his favorite traditions.

Jace Perrodin says, “I like it when it’s nighttime and you turn off all the lights and then just have the Christmas tree lights and the lights on outside the house.”

Sue Perrodin says, “Sometimes it’s hard to keep traditions too because of varying circumstances that might change things, but I think it’s fun to keep a few at least.”

With seven children in the house, sue and her husband john love Christmas! And they have a few traditions they wouldn’t change for anything…

“John started the tradition before we were married of making gingerbread cookies… sometimes we use cookie cutters and cut them out, and sometimes we just give a ball of dough and let them shape them however they want and decorate them,” says Sue.

The Perrodin family has discovered a number of ways to build Christmas memories while avoiding the overstressed pitfalls… one is to add a holiday theme to everyday activities like reading aloud to the family.

John Perrodin says, “We’ve tried to make things a little simpler, instead of putting out everything, just putting out some favorite things that have really unique meaning.”

If you find yourself getting too stressed this Christmas season, remember less is sometimes more.

And what lasts longer than cookies and packages and decorations – the memories made while enjoying them.