Even if you don’t try too hard, the chances are that your Christmas will still turn out good for your entire family (it’s Christmas, how can it not be good). But do you want to settle for “good” or would you like this Christmas to be really extraordinary for all of you? I think guessing it is pretty redundant.
This doesn’t mean you have to buy spectacularly expensive gifts or go to the other half of the globe. Some of the best Christmas memories you can make cannot be expressed in a cash value.
So, here are some suggestions for activities you can include in your holidays.
Engage in family volunteering
Check all the options in your community and see which charity organization allows entire families to contribute with their work. During the holidays, charity organizations are usually additionally busy, so any help is welcome.
Donate presents
When you go to Christmas shopping, set up another goal – assemble a gift for a child whose Christmas depends on the kindness of people like you. If you don’t have any organizations that would help you distribute the gifts in your community, you can always do it online.
Get crafty
Every year, I spend at least one full day of crafting Christmas decorations with my family (and try to make some decorations that would remain usable in the following years as well).
Create a nice atmosphere, make some hot cocoa, take all the craft materials you can find around your place and let the magic happen. This year, we are making our own Christmas wreath and DIY Christmas-themed ikebanas.
Do a photo shoot
Okay, you would probably take a lot of photos anyway, but the idea is to make it a bit sillier than it usually is. Find Christmas-themed printable props (you will find loads of freebies online); or get dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Clause, elves, reindeer, snowman etc; or create a photo comic-book narrating your family’s adventurous Christmas.
Organize a scavenger hunt
Finding your gift under the Christmas tree will make your little ones happy but a scavenger hunt for their Christmas presents will make them extra excited.
If it’s too cold outside, hiding the presents in your house can still be an adventure, as long as you don’t hide them in places where your kids would expect you to.
Write “thank you” letters to Santa
Santa is the essence of Christmas for kids (until they grow up and understand that their family members are more important than him). Many children will write a letter to Santa asking him for their presents and most of them will forget to write him another important letter after Christmas.
Provide your children with a chance to say “thank you” after they get their gifts. It is a nice way to teach them how to be polite and grateful.
Despite the rule of emails, Christmas cards are probably still bringing more Christmas spirit and joy to those who receive them as well as to those who send them.
So, gather your family, engage your kids in making DIY cards for the most special relatives and come up with some heart-warming greetings.
Host a pre-Christmas party for your neighbors
Warm up for the holiday by inviting your neighbors for some tea, hot cocoa, maybe eggnog and some Christmas cookies. It doesn’t have to be anything big, as long as everyone is into Christmas carols and other joyful traditions.
Sign up your family as Secret Santas
If you can find Secret Santa practice in your community – lovely, and if there isn’t such a thing near you, maybe you can pioneer it. It can be a nice way of bonding with your community, and it can certainly teach your kids more about kindness to different people. And, of course, this can bring some new friends to your entire family.
Make DIY gifts for your relatives and visit them
Devote December to giving and spreading the joy. You and your family can craft some little things, such as decorations, and use the weeks before Christmas to visit your relatives and surprise them with those little crafts. Obviously, even more than those gifts, family bonding is what gives this activity additional value.
Finally, get creative and come up with your own holiday traditions.
Do you already have some activities to make your family spirit shine brighter than the Christmas lights? Can’t wait to read about it in the comments!
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