Preparing for the Holidays
GUEST POST | We continue to love, visit, and function in these unprecedented times of social isolation and caution. We have slowly returned to work, resumed attending friend gatherings, and ventured outside of our homes nervously. And now, not even a global pandemic can steal the joy of looking forward to the holiday season celebrated by family gatherings, delicious food, shared memories, and a celebration of community.
Today, I wanted to highlight 10 fun holiday activities to maximize time with your loved ones this upcoming season. Use these holiday activities to schedule intentional, quality time with your family and friends, and make sure to express your thanks and gratitude at each opportunity of the shared time together.
1. Daily Walks Around Your Neighborhood
Daily walks are a wonderfully healthy habit to create for yourself and your family! Holiday seasons are historically jam-packed with rushing from location to location and fussing over home decor and what to feed your guests. Taking a morning daily walk will help everyone reset for the day, breathing in the fresh fall air and enjoying the slow pace of nature. A morning walk will be one of the healthiest and fun holiday activities your family enjoys! Remember to grab the dog companions, and bring them along for the exercise and outing as well!
2. Play Games
Board games and card games are the most fun to play with your loved ones, especially in the face of inclement weather! Our favorites are Yahtzee, Exploding Kittens, Uno, and Hedbanz. If you have lovely weather to enjoy outside, our favorites are Spike Ball, Kan Jam, and simply bumping around a volleyball. Time flies when you’re having a good time, and games are sure to elicit laughter, friendship, and memories. Don't forget snacks for game night! Check out my post, Top 10 Favorite Vegan Snacks, for some ideas. And, you might just have to remind the more competitive family members that it’s all just for fun!
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| Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash |
3. Do a Jigsaw Puzzle Together
This one may be more difficult to accomplish if there are many sets of tiny, grabbing hands who want to “help.” But if your family is made up of older kiddos, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much fun a classic jigsaw puzzle can be! This activity gathers everyone around the table to collaborate on a common goal and creates space for intimate and quality conversations. I recommend a 500-1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. The finished product will be a great reward!
4. Host a Movie Night
Everyone loves a movie night! Pick your featured film from your assortment of childhood favorites, make a couple of bowls of salty, snacky popcorn, and gather in a common area to share the screen and soak up the memories that a classic movie is sure to elicit. Check out my super easy recipe on how to make Homemade Stovetop Popcorn. This is a super simple way to finish out a long day with full bellies and good company!
5. Plan a Picnic at the Park
Most food planning occurs around the big holiday days, but there are plenty of random weekdays surrounding those in which you’ll be piecing together meals for your guests. Having a picnic at the park is one of the easiest, fun holiday activities to get everyone outside and take a break from the kitchen. Keep it simple with cold sandwiches, chips and dips, fruit, and some kind of easy dessert like cookies! Most parks feature playground equipment which makes this activity great for all ages! No doubt we can all use more fresh air and sunshine as the weather changes around us, and you might decide to picnic with those delicious holiday leftovers, too!
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| Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash |
6. Visit the Grandparents
If you’re lucky enough to have your grandparents with you, you might find they are more comfortable with company coming to them depending on their age and physical health. Plan a day when you can gather the family around these cherished family members and express your gratitude for the legacy they have created. They will be overjoyed with the presence of younger generations and happy to stay in the comfort of their own homes.
7. Hike at a Local Nature Preserve
Most communities have local nature preserves with accessible trails and which are within driving distance. If you have an active family who would appreciate a more involved form of exercise, hiking a few miles in the sunshine and fresh air will certainly lift spirits and ramp up your appetite for that big holiday meal later on. If you are bringing babies along, check out my post on Hiking Essentials for a list of what to bring to keep babies comfortable and happy! Remember to pack plenty of water and snacks, and bring the dog companions along for the fun family outing! Have your route mapped if you are unfamiliar with the area, and stay with the group.
8. Volunteer to Serve Food at a Local Homeless Shelter
Check your surrounding area for homeless shelters, and they will undoubtedly be thankful for the help! There is something really special about making connections with people and serving others in times of need. Many of us will have downtime this holiday season, and this is a special way to fill those gaps with your family members. Shelters will often have a schedule of days and times with open slots for volunteers. Compare availability with your loved ones, and perhaps take a few shifts to go and spend time helping others this holiday season.
9. Plan a Craft Night
You don’t have to be crafty to be crafty! There are endless opportunities to be creative during craft night- make coasters, paint festive wine glasses, mold dishes out of clay, papier-mache themed decor, and more! This activity is sure to be the source of many laughs and “remember whens” in the future. While some people may be a little more talented than others, the result will be a fun and unique conversation starter if you choose to keep your creation and display it in your home! Invite the family over, and enjoy an evening of drinks, snacks, and crafting.
10. Check Out a Local Museum
So often we make time to visit other places and the historical buildings and museums they have to offer whilst bypassing special places in our very own communities. Search for local historical museums and see what comes up! Tickets are usually very affordable and even free for kiddos. You might consider sending a text to the family group, and set a day and time to frequent somewhere local and learn something new together!
That’s all for today! I hope these fun holiday activities will be helpful with creating space for more quality, intimate family time in your upcoming holiday season!
Hi everyone! My name is Madison, and I am the face behind Motherhood Wilderness. I love chatting about maternal health and wellness, plant-based recipes, natural parenting, non-toxic products for your home, and more! I have a one-year-old little boy who is the light of my life, and we live on the Western Slope of the Rocky’s in Colorado. I hope you’ll join us on all of our adventures!
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