Some of our favourite holiday memories in my family revolve around the activities we can all do together. Aside from our holiday traditions we like to try new games, experiences, volunteering, donating, and activities that we can all have fun with. There are so many different activities to try: attending school concerts, baking or cooking, carolling, making ornaments and more.
One year in particular, my siblings and I decided to create an elaborate scavenger hunt for my dad's Christmas gift. My dad is one of the hardest people to shop for, he prefers just spending time with all of us. We hid multiple puzzles around the house that he had to answer clues to find then also solve to puzzle to get the clue. We thought this would just end up being my dad going around solving everything quickly by himself, while we anxiously followed. Rather the event turned into a family affair trying to solve these puzzles.
My grandfather, my mother, siblings, my dad and I are all trying to get things apart (with as little cheating as possible). The final puzzle was what really stumped us all. We had found this Cat in a Box puzzle from Etsy. Although we all took our fair share of breaks it ended up being a really fun activity that took up most of the day; and had all of us laughing and having fun together.
Volunteering can be a way to enjoy the holiday season with everyone in the family. There are many places during the holidays that could use a helping hand. One in particular within Streetsville is with Trinity Church. Each month they do a free community dinner for the area, and you can volunteer by yourself; or even better as a family and help with setting up, service, eating with the community members, cleaning up and more. With all the different ways you can volunteer, it is something that can be enjoyable for any age.
Another fun activity that ended up involving the whole family has been the saran wrap ball. One year my mother found this idea, and thought she’d give it a whirl at Christmas. The saran wrap ball game takes a while to set up but can be a lot of fun for everyone. You take small gifts and chocolates, placing a few between layers of saran. To make it more challenging, use fake layers as well, layers with no prizes. Thinking this game would only interest the younger folks at the gathering, she rounded us up. After a few moments of us playing, the adults saw how fun it was. Some watching and laughing as we chase each other to unwrap the ball. My grandfather in particular enjoyed this part. While others like my aunt jumped right in, showing once again how fun activities can be when everyone joins in.
There are also many fun ways that you and your family give back together. When I was younger my family found this event put on by a school near us, called Empty Bowls. The basis of the event was you pay $25 (which goes to charity, typically the food bank), and you receive a hand painted bowl by one of the students. You then take your bowl and fill it up with soup at the event. Afterwards you keep the bowl. This is something that can be really enjoyable for all ages, as the whole family can go, get a meal, donate to a good cause and spend time together. There of course was the option to donate more, but that was up to the individual. This event not only made it a fun holiday activity for families, but it brought the community together. You can even contribute to this event year-round through the local pottery studio. By simply buying a bowl under the Empty Bowls section at the studio you can help build the supply for the following year.
One of our favourite activities though, was being outside. The weather is sliding down the hill at my grandfather's house. Which anyone can do, and those who can’t enjoy watching us struggle to walk back up the hill. Or if we are simply just out for a walk. We all seem to love being outside, chatting, and enjoying each other's company.
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