Flickering soft candle light on frosty nights, wreaths of pine and holly hanging on every door, and festive stockings on the hearth—Christmas scenes are absolutely enchanting. Apart from the exhilarating sensory experience, the holidays are a time to strengthen precious family bonds. Whether it’s through shared activities, new traditions, or simple moments of connection, there are countless ways to bring families together. From cooking festive meals and playing games to starting new hobbies or volunteering, these experiences make up for all the time spent away from each other for the rest of the year. In this blog, we’ll explore fun and creative ideas to help families make the most of their holidays.
Have a Ball Decking the Halls
The process of decorating is not just about beautifying living spaces but also creating a sense of togetherness. By letting kids and partners be part of the process and combining decoration ideas, you can create a homely winter wonderland that leaves anyone awestruck. Sure, you can expect sibling squabbles or clashing color choices between significant others. But, the peaceful satisfaction you’ll get from the gleeful faces once the decorations are all up will make the family collaboration worth it. After all, Christmas is incomplete without:
Majestic Trees – A Christmas tree serves as the centerpiece of any holiday home. Whether you choose real or artificial trees, carefully hanging lights and cherished decorations passed down through generations transforms not just the tree but the entire room it occupies.
Captivating Ornaments – Christmas tree ornaments are vital to infuse a tree with festive charm. Cute candy canes, merry mistletoes, and beautiful baubles with detailed designs are just a few varieties of ornaments that bring a plain tree to life.
Mesmerizing Lights – Nothing announces festive fervor better than strings of twinkling mini bulbs. From multi-color Christmas tree lights to pulsating LED lights, there’s a large range of lights to pick from. Banisters and railings embellished with lights emanate a high-spirited vibe.
Enthralling Decorations – When festive touches appear in every room, the whole house is filled with warmth. Wreaths on the doors, garlands on the mantelpiece, and candles glowing on windows – together, they create a space that’s a shimmering spectacle. Let the decorations spill over outdoors, too. Sparkling lights, Christmas inflatables of Santa or the Grinch, and elegant reindeer displays will give passersby and visitors a visual treat.
Functional Holiday Storage – Once the holidays have passed, storage becomes a practical task. Carefully packing away fragile ornaments, storing lights neatly, and organizing decorative storage boxes for next year ensures that the decorations are ready for another season. Choose from tree storage bags, holiday china storage chests, and garland duffle bags.
The entire process—setting up and later storing the holiday treasures—helps foster a sense of tradition, while the festive atmosphere it creates serves as a constant reminder of family bonds and the joy of the season. It is through these shared moments of decoration that families create memories, making each Christmas more magical than the last.
Winter Sports Equals Unlimited Fun
Outdoor activities and winter sports offer families a fantastic way to stay active and enjoy quality time together during the Christmas holidays. Let’s look at the popular picks:
High-Adrenaline Action: Ice hockey, with its fast-paced action, is a favorite for families who enjoy team sports and can be played on outdoor rinks or indoor arenas. For those seeking adventure, a snowboard provides thrills as families race down snowy hills, sharing laughs and encouraging one another along the way. Skiing is another popular option, with ski resorts offering rentals for equipment like skis, poles, boots, and ski masks to make it accessible for everyone, from beginners to seasoned pros.
Navigating Icy Surfaces: Zooming down snowy hills in a toboggan or sled brings endless thrill. Snow tubes let whole families ride down snow-covered slopes and offers a fast, fun ride with little skill required. Glide across a frozen pond or the skating rink in ice skates while bundled up in cozy scarves and mittens. Ice skating is a classic winter activity that families can enjoy together.
Activities for Little Ones: Snow toys, such as snowball makers or forts, allow families to embrace their playful side, creating memories of snowball fights or building elaborate structures. For a serene outdoor experience, families can explore winter landscapes and trek through the snowy wilderness with snow shoes.
Whether it’s racing downhill or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of nature, winter sports offer families countless opportunities for fun and camaraderie during the Christmas season.
More the Cooks, Merrier the Cooking
The old adage may go, ‘too many cooks spoil the broth.’ But, when it’s family who’s helping you in the kitchen, it’s a great way to bond. Of course, we all aim to achieve culinary feats, but it’s also important to build and strengthen bonds with those who matter most. Some kitchen tasks that grown-ups and kids of all ages can perform are:
Kneading Cookie Dough: Making cookie dough or decorating gingerbread houses is a heartwarming tradition that embodies the spirit of Christmas. Children can help stir ingredients, shape cookies, or sprinkle colorful decorations, while adults manage the oven and supervise. The kitchen fills with laughter, the scent of fresh-baked treats, and the pleasure of creating something special as a family. And who doesn’t like licking up the last bit of cake batter or cookie dough from the mixing bowl?
Cake Mixing and Baking: As Christmas approaches, people gather to mix dried fruits, nuts, spices, and sometimes alcohol and later bake Christmas fruit cakes, essentially marking the start of the festive baking season. You can make this tradition your own to get kids involved in the holiday preparation. These activities bring everyone together, fostering a sense of connection.
Garnishing and Decorating: It’s never a good idea to let toddlers, pre-teens, or even inexperienced teenagers near hot cooking appliances. Instead, get them to enjoy the food prep by letting them in on the finishing touches before serving. They’ll especially love icing cakes, putting sprinkles, and placing fondant figures on top. You’ll also get a chance to pass down family recipes or experiment with new flavors.
Arranging Fruit and Veggies: Let your spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend feel like they’re a part of the prep process even if you’re the best cook in the family. Arranging sliced vegetables on platters, mixing fruits for salads, and doing taste checks of dishes on the menu are some simple ways to involve family in the cooking.
These shared moments not only result in delicious goodies but also create lasting memories that capture the true essence of the holiday season. Even if you prefer being completely in charge of the kitchen, easy tasks such as laying the table and planning how to place dishes and decorative accents can be left to youngsters and extended family. This paves the way for happy banter and generosity of spirit, which the holidays are all about.
Cool Games for the Entire Family
Board games and virtual gaming are great for families to bond during the holiday season. The joy of sitting around the table, laughing and competing, brings everyone together with an element of fun. Some top categories include:
Classic Games – Monopoly and Scrabble are suitable for families of all ages. Monopoly offers hours of strategic fun as players buy, sell, and trade properties, while Scrabble engages everyone in wordplay, sparking creativity and friendly competition. Pictionary will add holiday cheer to game night, while showcasing artistic smarts. Holiday-themed board games or Christmas-themed trivia promote communication and creativity, making them ideal for strengthening relationships.
Problem Solving Games – Clue encourages collaboration and deductive reasoning, making it an exciting choice for a family game night. For a more modern twist, games like Ticket to Ride or Codenames provide new challenges, where players work together or compete in teams, expanding their strategic thinking and teamwork skills. Cooperative games like Pandemic or Forbidden Island are also great for team play, as families must work together to overcome challenges and win the game.
Video Games and Gaming Consoles – Multiplayer games like Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., or Animal Crossing a fun and interactive way for families to bond during Christmas. Consoles such as the Nintendo Switch, PS5, or Xbox offer a variety of family-friendly games that cater to all skill levels. Whether it’s teaming up in group adventures or competing in fantasy league games, video games encourage communication, collaboration, and giggles, making them perfect for bringing families closer.
The fun lies not only in the competition but in the shared moments of laughter, excitement, and playful teasing that come with each roll of the dice or draw of a card. While virtual games are undoubtedly thrilling, board games offer families a chance to unplug from screens and focus on enjoying each other’s company. No matter what game you choose, it’s an opportunity for creating cherished holiday memories.
Start a New Hobby Together
As families come together with extra time and energy in the holidays, it’s the right time to try something different. Some families have DIY traditions of creating personalized decorations, while others travel to their favorite destinations. Alternatively, you can embark on a new activity together, such as:
Carpentry – Learning the basics of woodworking can foster teamwork and creativity, while producing tangible projects that can be cherished for years. Families with older children can work together to create homemade gifts, furniture, or wooden decorations.
Music – Whether it’s learning a new instrument or starting a family band, playing music together creates a harmonious atmosphere that fills the home with joy. Besides the cognitive benefits, bringing out the guitar, keyboard, and other musical instruments can uncover hidden talents and amp up the revelry.
Painting – Every artist needs inspiration before producing a masterpiece. With carolers singing beautifully in unison, spell-binding lights in every corner, and the palpable love among family and friends, Christmastime can indeed spark creativity and imagination. Browse art supplies and hobby essentials at Sears.
Home Improvement – If DIY repairs are your hobby, you can teach your own kid these skills right at home with a few tools. For example, teach them about different parts of home appliances and automobiles, and steps in home improvement jobs.
Getting a Pet – While having a pet is not a hobby, rather a long-term commitment, caring for a furry new family member is a great activity for kids and adults alike. It also brings everyone together in shared responsibility and affection, which in turn helps develop empathy. From cats and dogs to fish and reptiles, pet supplies are in plenty at Sears.
Regardless of the hobby chosen, Christmas provides the perfect backdrop for family bonding. The holiday season is about togetherness, and by trying a new hobby, families create shared experiences and enrich their holiday celebrations.
Sears has Everything you need for a Happy Christmas with Family
Sprucing up home, sweet home is never a chore when you have your kith and kin sharing responsibilities. Adding small touches of Christmas magic together will create a space that feels both timeless and full of holiday spirit, inviting everyone to pause, breathe, and enjoy the beauty of the season. Shop food and grocery, fitness equipment, and dishwashers at Sears and make the season truly merry for everyone who matters to you.
