In just a few short days the winter holidays will be here. Whether you celebrate Hanukah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, families will come together to enjoy each other’s company, to load up on comfort foods and to exchange gifts. The week following the big celebration may be time off from work for you and time away from school for the kids. With all of the festivities over, what do you do?
The novelty of lazing around in pajamas and watching TV fades after a few days. This may be the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your family to learn more about each other, grow closer as a family unit, improve parent-to-child communication and make even more memories. Try one of the following family activities, which are taken from the 4-H curriculum.
Remember 2004. This past year was busy and full of activities. Ask every family member his or her favorite memories from the past year. Spend some time looking through photos of what you did together as a family and re-live old memories and swap stories with one another.
If you are the typical American, chances are all of those summer vacation photos are still in the envelope you picked them up it or they are languishing on the digital camera disc. Now is a good time to rescue them and make a scrapbook. Working together you and your children can put the photos in a scrapbook, noting all the neat things you did as a family. Use stickers, magazine clippings, and drawings along with your pictures. Add narratives to help you remember years from now the wonderful adventures you had as a family.
Look Ahead to 2005. Another year is fast approaching. Who knows what it will bring? It’s tradition for people to use this new beginning to make resolutions about what they will change over the next year. Why not make family resolutions or family wishes. Start with an old shoebox and decorate the outside. You may want to decorate with objects and materials that have a special meaning, such as your family crest. Next, ask family members to think about the wishes they have for their family over the next year. Take some time to share with one another what your thoughts are and how you can make those wishes come true. Place all of the wishes in the box. Keep the box l in a place where everyone can open it up from time to time to read the wishes throughout the year.
Playing board games and watching a movie together also are great ways to enjoy each other’s company. No matter what you and your family decide to do, and you’ll be on course for a great new year, making lost of memories to share in the years ahead.
—Katie Daly, Extension Educator, 4-H & Youth Development
Originally published in “Newark Outlook,” The Newark Post
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