The holidays are a special time of year filled with plenty of opportunities to make lasting and magical memories and strengthen bonds with friends and family. It can also be a stressful time with busy social calendars, increased financial pressure, and disruption to routines.
Here are some suggestions for activities to make the most of the holidays with your family, friends, and chosen family while also creating some balance to practice self-care and keep some routine.
Try a Winter or Holiday Activity
It’s a great time to try something fun, active, and new together. Build snow forts and snow people, try skating for the first (or 50th) time, explore nature trails with a new, wintry perspective, or attend a special event like a tree lighting or festival in your community. It’s free and fun to admire the holiday lights in different neighbourhoods. Take a mug of hot chocolate or tea along for the journey, and you have the perfect winter evening ahead. Whatever you try might just become a new family tradition to look forward to every year.
Gift of Time
Spending quality time together can foster memories that will last a lifetime. If you can, plan an activity to spend some one-on-one time with each child or family member where you can give them your undivided attention. Offer to bake a special holiday recipe together, take them to pick out a gift for a sibling or loved one, or read a special festive story together. What matters is that the time is intentional and focused on connecting over shared moments. Take this as an opportunity to open the lines of communication with your loved ones by actively engaging in meaningful conversations to help foster open discussions and strengthen bonds.
Practice Gratitude
Make time to gather your family to share what you are grateful for during the holiday season. Make it fun and engaging by playing some festive music in the background and ensuring that each family member is given time to reflect on what they are thankful for this year. This practice can be healing and helpful in times both difficult and good times. If it’s not already a regular part of your holiday traditions, now is the perfect time to start.
A Chance to be Charitable
Taking the time to pause and reflect on all the things you have to be grateful for, big or small, may also inspire your family’s giving spirit. If you and your family can donate to those in need, this is the perfect time of year to involve the whole family in making a difference. Agree as a family on a local or personally meaningful charity to support this year, whether monetarily or by volunteering time. You could sponsor a local family and spend time picking out gifts together, or you could contribute to an organization that’s close to your heart (like Strongest Families Institute!). As your family grows older, this special time will have a lasting impact on both your family and your community.
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