Creating New Holiday Traditions or Reviving Old Favourites

When Giving is Better than Receiving...

• Throughout the year, gradually fill a coin jar with your loose change. When the holiday season comes around, drop it off at your preferred local charity. You’ll be surprised just how generous your donation is! Make sure to find a cause that is close to your heart and donate to that charity!

Visit a senior’s residence with the whole family. That way everyone can share the joy and excitement of people of ALL ages around the holidays. Make sure to bring along some activities to enjoy together and of course unbeatable holiday treats such as Butter Shortbread cookies or Christmas Scotch Mints!

Activity Advent Calendar

• Create your own Advent Calendar using Bristol board, old Christmas cards and any decorations of your choice. It’s great fun for the children and also helps you organize your own holiday plans!
  
  
• Inside each ‘door’ write a timely activity your family can do together –Things like: ‘Wrap granddad’s present tonight’, ‘Read a story’, ‘Watch A Christmas Story - our family favourite’), ‘Go tobogganing’, ‘Make a gingerbread house’, ‘See the school Christmas concert’, etc.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt

• Once the presents have been unwrapped, hide some special gifts somewhere in the house and leave clues for your children to find. It can be something small such as a pile of Reindeer Gummies or it could that big special gift they really, really wanted, left until the very end. Let them work out the clues and search for the goodies!
  
  
• To build excitement, you can also set up mini hunts for treats and small homemade gifts on the days leading up to the big day!