The holidays light up the darker and colder season of the year, when many spend less time outdoors and more time “cocooning” with family and friends. Many have a holiday season tradition – here are a few of ours:
- The gratitude jar– During the month of December, every night at dinner everyone writes on a note something they are grateful for and places the note in the jar. At the end of the month (during the holidays) we sit together and read them all aloud.
- Kind Weekends –At the beginning of December each family member the name of another relative out of a hat. This becomes their “pay it forward” person for the month – the person for whom they will perform at least one act of kindness every weekend. No gifts or things of monetary value allowed!
- Baking – a baking party with your children, grandchildren or simply with good neighbours or friends. Every year, a nicely decorated box of baked goods is donated to a cause chosen by a different child each time (retirement home, hospital, local soup kitchen, someone in need).
- One-on-one – Having a “date” with each child individually provides not only a great opportunity for one-on-one quality time, but possibly also some hints and insight into their wishes for the holidays and expectations for the new year.
- Hand written cards – yes, we still love them and find that there is nothing quite like a handwritten note (or children’s drawings)
Do you have a family tradition for the holiday season? Please add a comment and tell us about it! In January we will post all the family traditions we’ve collected on our blog.