Christmas is almost here! In this festive episode, we share five simple yet impactful ways to elevate your holiday celebrations. Whether it’s through meaningful traditions, playful gift exchanges, or acts of kindness, we’re here to help you focus on what truly matters—time, connection, and joy.

In this episode:
Focus on time together
Fun with gifts
Christmas Eve traditions
Jolabokaflod - Icelandic book tradition
Acts of service
Neighbourhood connections

Related Links:
Minimising Materialism this Christmas

10 Ways to ‘Unspoil’ the Children this Christmas

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Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Christmas is almost here! In this festive episode, we share five simple yet impactful ways to elevate your holiday celebrations. Whether it’s through meaningful traditions, playful gift exchanges, or acts of kindness, we’re here to help you focus on what truly matters—time, connection, and joy.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Focus on time together</li>
<li>Fun with gifts</li>
<li>Christmas Eve traditions</li>
<li>Jolabokaflod - Icelandic book tradition</li>
<li>Acts of service</li>
<li>Neighbourhood connections</li>
</ul>
Related Links:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/podcast/episode/639-online-sextortion-with-detective-superintendent-jayne-crossling"></a><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/minimising-materialism-this-christmas">Minimising Materialism this Christmas</a> <a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/podcast/episode/639-online-sextortion-with-detective-superintendent-jayne-crossling"></a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/10-ways-to-unspoil-the-children-this-christmas">10 Ways to ‘Unspoil’ the Children this Christmas</a></li>
</ul>
Find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/happyfamilies.au/">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@happyfamiliesau">TikTok</a>
Subscribe to the Happy Families <a href="https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.activehosted.com/f/40">newsletter</a>
Leave a <a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/podcast">voice memo here</a> or email your questions/comments to <a href="mailto:podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au">podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au</a>

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

#1140 - 5 Ways to Make Christmas Awesome

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/ecc31ecf-b315-4baf-bc1f-b24000da000e/transcript

Ever wondered how to go beyond the tinsel and treats of Christmas to create a truly holy and meaningful celebration? Justin and Kylie Coulson take you on a journey through the "Three Levels of Christmas," offering heartfelt ideas and inspiring stories to bring joy and purpose to your family’s holiday season.

Whether it's singing carols, setting up nativity scenes, or reflecting on deeper spiritual themes, this episode is full of inspiration for making Christmas a time of connection, love, and purpose.

In this episode:
Understanding different perspectives & beliefs
Creating a Christ-centred Christmas
The three levels of Christmas:

Level 1: Santa Claus, gifts, & festive indulgence
Level 2: The nativity story & spiritual reflection
Level 3: Celebrating Jesus' life & message
Ideas for making Christmas more meaningful, including carolling, nativity scenes, & giving back
Stories from listeners about their faith-centred Christmas traditions

Related Links:
Christmas Day and Divorced Families
10 Easy Traditions That Can Make Christmas Meaningful For Your Family
Have I Ruined Christmas for My Child by Telling the Truth About Santa?

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Ever wondered how to go beyond the tinsel and treats of Christmas to create a truly holy and meaningful celebration? Justin and Kylie Coulson take you on a journey through the "Three Levels of Christmas," offering heartfelt ideas and inspiring stories to bring joy and purpose to your family&rsquo;s holiday season.
Whether it's singing carols, setting up nativity scenes, or reflecting on deeper spiritual themes, this episode is full of inspiration for making Christmas a time of connection, love, and purpose.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Understanding different perspectives &amp; beliefs</li>
<li>Creating a Christ-centred Christmas</li>
<li>The three levels of Christmas:
<ul>
<li>Level 1: Santa Claus, gifts, &amp; festive indulgence</li>
<li>Level 2: The nativity story &amp; spiritual reflection</li>
<li>Level 3: Celebrating Jesus' life &amp; message</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ideas for making Christmas more meaningful, including carolling, nativity scenes, &amp; giving back</li>
<li>Stories from listeners about their faith-centred Christmas traditions</li>
</ul>
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/christmas-day-and-divorced-families">Christmas Day and Divorced Families</a></li>
<li><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/10-easy-traditions-that-can-make-christmas-meaningful-for-your-family">10 Easy Traditions That Can Make Christmas Meaningful For Your Family</a></li>
<li><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/have-i-ruined-christmas-for-my-child-by-telling-the-truth-about-santa">Have I Ruined Christmas for My Child by Telling the Truth About Santa?</a></li>
</ul>
Find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/happyfamilies.au/">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@happyfamiliesau">TikTok</a>
Subscribe to the Happy Families <a href="https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.activehosted.com/f/40">newsletter</a>
Leave a&nbsp;<a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/podcast">voice memo here</a> or email your questions/comments to <a href="mailto:podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au">podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au</a>

#1148 - The 3 Levels of Christmas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/c740601a-249d-4582-b3df-b24400c0a100/transcript

Does Christmas gift-giving feel more like a burden than a joy as you try to find a balance between gift-giving and avoiding entitlement?

Dr. Justin Coulson and Kylie discuss how to preserve the magic of the season while avoiding the trap of indulgence and entitlement.

In this episode:
Finding perspective
Reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas
Having zero agenda—relationships, games, joyful moments
What to do when Christmas is hard
Focusing on others—emphasising giving, kindness, and family traditions over materialism
The Secret to Happiness? Giving.—Elizabeth Dunn research

Related Links:
How to Unspoil your Kids this Christmas [Webinar]

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Does Christmas gift-giving feel more like a burden than a joy as you try to find a balance between gift-giving and avoiding entitlement?
Dr. Justin Coulson and Kylie discuss how to preserve the magic of the season while avoiding the trap of indulgence and entitlement.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Finding perspective</li>
<li>Reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas</li>
<li>Having zero agenda&mdash;relationships, games, joyful moments</li>
<li>What to do when Christmas is hard</li>
<li>Focusing on others&mdash;emphasising giving, kindness, and family traditions over materialism</li>
<li><a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/secret-happiness-giving">The Secret to Happiness? Giving.&mdash;</a>Elizabeth Dunn research</li>
</ul>
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/how-to-unspoil-your-kids-this-christmas">How to Unspoil your Kids this Christmas</a> [Webinar]</li>
</ul>
Find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/happyfamilies.au/">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@happyfamiliesau">TikTok</a>
Subscribe to the Happy Families <a href="https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.activehosted.com/f/40">newsletter</a>
Leave a&nbsp;<a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/podcast">voice memo here</a> or email your questions/comments to <a href="mailto:podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au">podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au</a>

#1147 - How to Unspoil the Kids at Christmas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/79a9f39b-1cae-4eb1-8b6f-b24400b5cf92/transcript

"Are we there yet?"

Long family road trips can definitely be painful, BUT they can also be a great opportunity for some quality family time! We share a list of some helpful road trip games to keep everyone entertained.
I-spy
Spotto
I went to the shops and I bought
The alphabet game
Car cricket
Old MacDonald Had A Farm
The Goanna Gang
Bingo
This Is The Song That Never Ends
Peel The Avocado
The Fart Game
Stay quiet or else!

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

"Are we there yet?"
Long family road trips can definitely be painful, BUT they can also be a great opportunity for some quality family time! We share a list of some helpful road trip games to keep everyone entertained.
<ul>
<li>I-spy</li>
<li>Spotto</li>
<li>I went to the shops and I bought</li>
<li>The alphabet game</li>
<li>Car cricket</li>
<li>Old MacDonald Had A Farm</li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6hpD6CjtbAHcOxQJMNv8WE">The Goanna Gang</a></li>
<li>Bingo</li>
<li>This Is The Song That Never Ends</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNsKvZo6MDs">Peel The Avocado</a></li>
<li>The Fart Game</li>
<li>Stay quiet or else!</li>
</ul>
Find us on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/happyfamilies.au/">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@happyfamiliesau">TikTok</a>
Subscribe to the Happy Families <a href="https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.activehosted.com/f/40">newsletter</a>
Leave a&nbsp;<a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/podcast">voice memo here</a> or email your questions/comments to <a href="mailto:podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au">podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au</a>

#1146 - Road Trip Sanity Savers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/cef03047-7241-445b-9212-b24300cfe432/transcript

#1140 - 5 Ways to Make Christmas Awesome

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