After another busy year, we’re looking forward to slowing down and taking some time to spend with our families and those important to us. We recently came across this great article on the importance of spending time with your family and loved ones. Some of our plans for the holidays include:
- MAKE GINGERBREAD HOUSES
Gingerbread houses are a fun holiday activity you can do with your partner, family, friends, and kids of almost any age. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, you can make your “gingerbread” house for the birds, by using different types of bird seed, and suet.
- HOLIDAY LIGHTS TOUR
There are several great places in the GTA and KW areas to take in the lights of the season.
- SLEIGH RIDE
Take a step back and time and book an old-fashioned sleigh ride. Ensure you bring some extra blankets, hot chocolate or hot apple cider, and hand/foot warmers so everyone stays cozy.
- SECRET SANTA
This can be done with friends or families. Instead of buying gifts for everyone, on your list, you only need to get one. We love this because we enjoy hunting for thoughtful gifts, and don’t end up with a bunch of new “stuff”.
- HOLIDAY MOVIE NIGHT
We have movies we watch with our kids every year that we watched with our parents. We love to make a bowl of stove-top popcorn or have a plate of Christmas cookies to accompany the movie.
- HOLIDAY PAPER CHAINS
Cut and glue strips of paper together to create your chain. We’ve used them to decorate the house as well as a countdown to Christmas, where each day you remove a ring until they are all gone.
- MAKE ORNAMENTS
Making your own ornaments can create memories that are brought back each year when you pull them out again.
- PLAY IN THE SNOW
If we get some snow before the kids are back in school, you will surely find us out there building a snow family, or snow fort. We also like to pile all the snow from the driveway into one big pile and build some tunnels.
- DONATE USED TOYS
Holiday activities are a great opportunity to instill empathy and caring in your little ones. Before they get new toys, have them go through their existing toys and pick out a few items that they don’t play with anymore to give to a child who could use a new toy and might not be able to afford it.
- MAKE COOKIES OR OTHER HOLIDAY TREATS
This can be a fun activity with kids and makes a thoughtful gift if you don’t want to eat them all yourself!
- HOLIDAY BOOK FROM THE LIBRARY
You can get an old favorite, read something new or look for books on other holiday traditions to educate yourself on other traditions worldwide.
- VISIT SANTA
No list of holiday family activities is complete without a visit to Santa. Head to your local mall, or another holiday spot with one of Santa’s helpers to ensure everyone gets what they want this Christmas.
