It seems like kids jump from Teletubbies to Taylor Swift in the blink of an eye. The good news is that it’s never too late to make holiday memories and preserve them. Some recollections will become a source of laughter or even comfort for years to come. But remembering the holidays for the right reasons requires some thought.
Lots of families have gatherings over the holiday season. However, there is more to family events than just eating meals with a bunch of relatives. You could suggest some impromptu games to keep the gathering lively, but things generally go better with some advance prep. So plan a few activities in advance so you can make some cherished memories. Here are four ways parents can make the holidays special:
1. Encourage Pre-Holiday Communication
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With the explosion of cellphones, many families don’t feel the need to have a home phone anymore. Adults catch up with family on their cellphones, and teens stay in touch with cousins via SnapChat and TikTok. The little ones, on the other hand, need to wait until the next family gathering to talk to their cousins.
That’s neither fair nor likely to encourage strong family ties. To keep younger kids connected with the rest of the family, consider buying them a kids phone. These gadgets allow calling and texting, but they keep young ones off the internet, which they may not be prepared for.
Include all the children in preparing for the holidays. Valuing their opinion is a great way to boost their confidence. Your kids can call grandparents and cousins to share ideas for movies to watch together when they meet during the holidays. Or they can discuss what to bake when the family reunites. It’s also a time they can answer their aunts’ and uncles’ questions about what gifts they want this year.
2. Prepare Games Galore
Handling a large group of family members of different ages and personalities can be a challenge. If left unsupervised, kids would be glued to video games or tablets all day. Adults should plan a few activities in advance to avoid complaints and confusion. These could take place indoors or outdoors depending on the weather in your area. The only requirement is that everyone be able to participate.
Families with smaller spaces can opt for simpler games such as charades or Pictionary. If you have more space, plan a holiday scavenger hunt with cryptic clues and fun prizes at the end. Try including some inside family jokes or family trivia to make the game more interesting and personal.
Outdoor activities are popular among the kids — and parents who want to keep the house clean. If you live in a very cold climate, try out ice bowling this year. Use frozen bottles of water as pins and a frozen water balloon as the bowling ball. This will keep the entire family active and excited with nearly zero expense.
3. Play a Round of Family Master Chef
Bring out fresh, hot food and see how everyone swarms to the kitchen. Who wouldn’t enjoy chatting around the kitchen table over hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies? The aroma of freshly baked goodies has magical powers to put everyone in the holiday spirit.
Create memories by having a unique cookie challenge. One idea is for the expert family baker to whip up a batch of their famous cookies. The only hitch is that they have to be blindfolded until they turn on the oven! Or have a cookie challenge where everyone needs to include a unique ingredient in their cookies. Try potato chips or licorice and see what happens.
While traditional sweets are a hit with most family members, be sure to take dietary restrictions into account. Making safe snacks for the niece with the peanut allergy or the brother-in-law who is lactose intolerant will definitely win hearts.
4. Give Personalized Gifts
Instead of choosing the quick and easy option of cash, take gift-giving up a notch this year. Find something related to Uncle John’s favorite football team. Get a unique plant for green-thumbed Cousin Maya. Shopping actually gets easier when you know which cartoon character your 4-year-old nephew is obsessed with nowadays. You will spend the same amount of money, but the time and effort put in a personalized gift make it more valuable.
Another simple way to personalize a gift is to have the recipient’s name inscribed on the item. Leather wallets with embossed names, embroidered makeup bags, and custom mugs are just a few ideas that you could choose from. Recipients know that you didn’t just pick up their special gift from the grocery store en route to the party.
You could also learn how to use a vinyl cutting machine to make matching holiday tumblers or sweatshirts for the cousins. They make great stocking stuffers and photo props.
It’s All About Inclusion
The golden rule for family moments is inclusion. Activities should be planned in such a way that both the youngest and the oldest have a role to play. Pay special attention to recent additions, such as a new son- or daughter-in-law, to make sure they feel at home.
No matter how fast time flies, be sure to capture some of these amazing moments as they whizz by. The family tree is constantly growing upward and branching outward. As you enjoy these activities, know that you are helping your family tree bloom by keeping its roots strong.
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