This is a holiday week here in the United States. That means fun, family, and food for most. Then there’s preparations and decorating for December holidays. The holiday season also brings stress, last-minute trips to the grocery store, and navigating potential family disagreements.
While the holiday season offers time with family and friends celebrating the various winter holidays, this time of year also brings extra stress and busyness. We are motivated by wanting to create a perfect holiday experience. The best holidays, however, aren’t about being perfect; they’re about making memories.
Holiday memories are often built around traditions. The best traditions go beyond decorating, eating specific foods, or buying gifts. Traditions can be anything that add a sense of fun and creativity to the season. And the best part, these don’t have to be expensive or elaborate.
As you prepare for the holidays, think of ways to add creative and easy activities. To help get you started, here are some easy and low-cost options for the whole family.
- Write Thank-You notes. Many people don’t get time off during the holidays to be with their families, including police/fire and hospital staff. Writing a thank you note to show appreciation for them is a great way to support those who support your community.
- Visit a senior living community. Some residents in nursing homes or assisted living facilities don’t see much of their families. They’d love a visit from someone to spend a few hours talking with or playing cards.
- Volunteer at a local charity. The most vulnerable members of the community rely on the kindness of others to provide a holiday meal or a few small gifts for their children. Taking a few hours out of your day to serve meals, ring bells at donation centers, or wrap gifts for kids in group homes is a great way to teach your family about helping others.
- Invite your neighbors over for a Game Night. Getting together with neighbors is a great way to help build community. Hosting a game night helps everyone get to know those who might be new to the area. And for some who don’t have family in around, or can’t get home, a neighborhood get-together might be their only social activity during the holiday season.
- Read a book together. Choosing a book to read together as a family is a great way to slow down during this busy time of year. Set aside time each night read aloud.
- Make care packages. When baking all those holiday treats for your family celebrations, make a few extras to give away. Care packages with homemade goodies, and even things like movie theater gift certificates, can bring a big smile to your neighbors, friends, or co-workers.
- Commit a Random Act of Kindness. What better way to show the spirit of the holidays than by offering a little kindness to strangers. At the drive-thru line of your favorite coffee shop or fast food place, pay for the order behind you. At the grocery store, buy a store gift card. Tell the clerk to give it to the next person that comes through the line. Take a plate of goodies to your doctor’s office, veterinarian, or other office you frequent.
- Donate unused toys or clothes. In anticipation of receiving gifts, the holidays are a great time to go through your closets. Any toys and clothes that are still in good shape but you no longer use can be donated to local thrift stores or charities.
- Volunteer at an animal shelter. Many animal shelters are in need of volunteers, either to donate items like newspapers and blankets, or even to help care for the animals. You might have to clean out a kennel or two, but knowing you’ve helped provide care to an animal waiting on a forever home does wonders for the spirit.
- Plan a scavenger hunt. With a house full of guests, people can start to feel a little cooped up. If the weather cooperates, send people on a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Give them a list of items to bring back, or have them use a phone to take pictures for certain things around the area (street signs or unique buildings). Hand out small prizes for those who complete the challenge.
- Make cards for kids spending the season in the hospital. Many kids aren’t able to be home for the holidays as they are hospitalized for serious illness. While their families come to the hospital or rehabilitation facility, any extra show of kindness they receive helps them to know others care.
- Help an elderly neighbor. Check with older neighbors to see if they need a helping hand around the house. Some chores might be difficult or dangerous for an older person. Also, getting around town can be a challenge. Offer to help run errands or provide a ride to an appointment.
- Send cards or care packages to the military. Those serving overseas in the military can’t be home for the holidays. Receiving a card or package that offers encouragement helps them feel a little closer to home. Local military and veterans’ groups also have programs to provide support for military families in your own area.
- Invite others. For a variety of reasons, there are some people who spend the holidays alone. If you know someone in this situation, invite him/her to join you for your holiday meal. If you already have a house full for a meal, invite others over for snacks and a movie. While it’s important to share family time during the holidays, inviting someone who might otherwise be alone is a great way to share kindness.
With the busyness this time of year, creative activities for spending time together and sharing with others simplify the season. Instead of stressing about buying the right gift or having everyone’s favorite foods, focus on creating memories.
***What are some of your family holiday traditions? Is there a simple, creative activity you’d like to add to your family’s holidays?***
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