Holiday Chaos or Holiday Memories?

Creating Traditions That Last

The holiday season is here—and with it comes the mix of joy, chaos, and never-ending to-do lists. 🎁 From decorating the house to wrapping gifts, baking cookies, and attending every school or church event, it’s easy for parents to feel more overwhelmed than joyful.

In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne Manning share candid reflections and look back on 30+ years of parenting seven kids through the holiday hustle. They’ve been through the late-night wrapping sessions, Christmas concerts, chaotic car rides to find the “perfect tree,” and even baking sessions where the cookies didn’t turn out quite right. Through it all, they’ve discovered that holidays aren’t about perfection—they’re about shaping memories.

You’ll hear practical ideas and “holiday hacks” for:

• Including your kids in the preparations (even if it’s messier and slower).
• Shifting the focus from getting to giving through serving neighbors, writing notes, or sibling gift exchanges.
• Creating simple family traditions—from decorating bedrooms with mini trees to baking monkey bread—that knit kids’ hearts to yours.
• Letting go of busyness and embracing peace, even when schedules get overwhelming.

Whether you’re a parent of toddlers, teens, or grown kids, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, laugh at the chaos, and focus on what truly matters. Because the greatest gift you can give your children this season isn’t perfect cookies or matching wrapping paper—it’s the gift of connection.

👉 Tune in today and start creating holiday traditions that will outlast the chaos and shape your family for generations.

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