As next week is Thanksgiving, I wanted to check in with you and hear about your family’s holiday traditions. As a family of six, we never lived near relatives, and we created our own. All my children are grown and scattered, and we are fortunate that we still enjoy engaging in family togetherness. We participate in activities where we are spending time together at home. We play games, laugh, do puzzles, watch a movie, and eat a lot together! I also like to use the time after Thanksgiving to set up the house for the Christmas holiday; this ensures that my kids are involved and that I have help, a double bonus!
During the Thanksgiving weekend, we draw Secret Santa’s for our family. If you’re unfamiliar with that tradition, we set a budget and buy a gift for the person selected. We also discuss what we all want to do during the Christmas holiday. My husband and I decided long ago that we would dedicate that holiday week to our kids, and fortunately, we have been able to sustain that opportunity through the years.
In case you have recently relocated to a new area, starting a family of your own and unable to travel to family, here are a few ideas to begin your traditions this holiday season:
- I love this idea of engaging everyone by creating a Thankful Tree. Click here to view tips from HGTV on how to create. Keep in mind that you can print out leaves by using various colored cardstock, click here for a PDF of leaf shapes that you can cut out and hole-punch to create your personalized tree. Or, if you have time run to your closest craft store and purchase already cut leaf shapes that can be used.
- Spend time together as a family getting everyone involved by playing games. The way to do this is finding games that little, and big kids can play together and enjoy, for game ideas, click here.
- Talk as a family about ways that you can give back. Discuss topics that are important to you, and get the kids involved, there are always opportunities to find ways to volunteer time or money, click here to view some ideas.
Oliver plans to enjoy napping with family over the holiday!
I am also excited to include our soon-to-be son-in-law into our family traditions and craziness, and cannot wait for the fun times ahead! What family traditions do you love, please share!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, Google+ and Instagram.