During the holidays, we often find ourselves spending a lot more time with our loved ones. The kids are home from school, relatives are coming to town for a visit or we’re traveling home to be with family. It’s mostly a holly jolly good time, but sometimes we can all use an extra dose of patience, good humor and a well-planned itinerary of activities to keep spirits bright.
We’ve consulted a few of our favorite websites and we’re ready to jingle your bells with some top tips for merriment:
Explore your city. Over at pbs.org, they encourage those of us feeling a bit of cabin fever to plan a family outing. Many local parks and zoos feature light displays and other festivities to celebrate the season. You can also visit a local museum and historic sites or see a play at a local theater.
Cook and eat together. Lifeisgood.com says it doesn’t have to be every night or even an elaborate meal. Aim for one night a week. Maybe each member of the family can take turns picking the menu, setting the table, and washing the dishes after dinner. If your family isn’t into cooking, maybe everyone can go over to a relative’s house or do a weekly potluck dinner with friends. The important thing is to keep it simple and spend time together regularly. Added bonus? Eating at home is healthier and much cheaper.
Play games. The Spruce says kids love it when adults play with them. Pull out some of the games and puzzles you already have around the house and give them one last whirl before the new ones arrive. Classics like Monopoly, Clue and Candyland are classics for a reason. After Christmas, help break in the new stuff, whether it’s old-school board games or the latest and greatest in video games.
Spend time volunteering. This holiday season devote a day to giving back. Southern Living encourages us to sign up to volunteer in a soup kitchen, a food pantry, or the local charitable organization of your family’s choosing. Make this a tradition that your loved ones will cherish for years to come.
