Christmas Break - two words that may mean joy, excitement, freedom, or no school for kids. But for you as a parent, it could mean working from home, multi-tasking, and a struggle to find fun ways to match your kid's energy.
Quality time with your kids is essential, especially during Christmas break. Check out seven memorable things you can do as a family to make the most of the time spent together.
1. Have a Yes Day!
It might sound scary, but what if you gave your kids the power to be the decision-maker all day? It may mean having ice cream for breakfast or playing two rounds of monopoly, but it will be a day they cherish and remember. It may also be an excellent opportunity for them to learn the natural consequences (good or bad) of some of the wild choices they make!
2. Host a Family Team Meeting
The year is almost over, and Christmas break is the perfect time to go out for a fun meal and recap the year together as a family. Take time to celebrate all God's done in your life, marriage, and kids. Remember the highs and lows, and use those to build the goals for next year.
3. Plan a Scavenger Hunt
This might take some planning and extra work from you as the parent, but it will be well worth your time. Map out clues around your house that all lead to the "last Christmas present" your kids didn't think existed. Have one clue lead to the next, and watch the anticipation build as they run around the house.
4. Hot Chocolate in the Dark
Grab your warm cozy clothes and lots of blankets and bundle up outside, sipping on some warm hot chocolate after dinner. If you have a fire pit, get a taste of summer roasting giant marshmallows to put in hot chocolate mugs.
5. Campout in the Living Room
Once you get back inside from the cold, think how much fun the kids would have setting up a tent or pillow fort and having a family sleepover in the living room. Let the kids decide the movie they want to watch and make some big bowls of popcorn. Create quality experiences they'll ask for again and again.
6. Stay Up Late... Just Because
If camping out and watching a movie wasn't enough, what about two movies? Since there's no school the next day, what's the worst that could happen from staying up past bedtime? Get creative with a new family game, or play hide and seek in the dark. Remember staying up late for them may still mean a 10 pm bedtime for you.
7. Countdown the New Year
Build up the excitement and anticipation of a new year together by having a countdown party! As the clock ticks closer to the new year, play a game that will help you reflect:
- Give everyone 3-5 strips of paper or popsicle sticks. Have everyone write one memory - happy or sad - on each. Put them all in a jar or bowl.
- Take turns going around the circle and pulling out a paper or popsicle stick. Reflect on the memory together. Talk about what was happy or sad, how you saw God work in that situation, and what you learned.
This is a great way to reflect on the past year as a family and look toward the future. This may help get your wheels turning about your vision and values as a family and how you can translate that into some New Year's Resolutions!
(Not a fan of keeping your kids up late? Try a countdown to noon instead!)
Christmas Break has the chance to be one of the most exciting times that your kids look forward to every year, even after they receive all their presents. Take the opportunity to capitalize on the days away from school with your family. You won't regret it.
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