Christmas at the zoo

The media portrays Christmas as a time for festivities, fun, lights and lots of gifts. But not all temperaments feel that way!

Oh yes! The Monkeys love Christmas! They will go full in. All the way! They want all the glam, the glitter, the lights, the big tree, the food, the decorations, the lights. Even if that means still paying off debt deep into the New Year. But their parties will be THE BEST!

The Lions will see it as a project to manage. Especially the big picture. Think that family member (often female) who will organise everything and everybody, even telling you (not asking) what you need to bring for the big Christmas lunch. Their parties might not be as much fun as the Monkey’s but it will be well organised and run on time and budget.

The Meerkats often feel overwhelmed and nervous, even anxious as they check their ever-growing to-do list, their schedules, their budgets, and finding that perfect gift for each person. They will check the details of the decorations, the wrapping paper, the ingredients of the food. They are the hardest workers when many others will unwind and relax. Like the Koalas.

The Koalas just want to put up their feet after a tiring year, preferably in their favourite comfort chair, with their favourite drink, favourite book or movie, surrounded by their closest family members. So, they too might feel overwhelmed, especially if anybody wants to change the order or the way things are done. They love traditions and predictability, and Christmas is all about tradition. Not full schedules and pressure and expectations.

Well, imagine all this for our younger humans. Imagine how they might feel about this festive season. If your child is not true Monkey, it might be worth it to stop and think about what they need. Here are some suggestions:

Give the lions a project to manage this Christmas. Make sure to include a people management element to it, e.g. they need to organise the games for all the kids to play or be in charge of the juice station on Christmas Day.

The Meerkats will enjoy making and checking lists – grocery lists, gifts lists, decoration lists, any list. They often enjoy setting the table, making sure everything lines up and looks the same.

Include some form of ritual or tradition for the Koalas. Watch that same movie every year on Christmas Eve, or include one dish that they truly love every year, decorate the tree together as a family and talk about how much you love each other.

And the monkeys? Make sure there is lots and lots and lots of fun. And release them from cleaning up for this one day of the year. That will be their highlight!