Watching movies, going to see the lights, and baking Christmas treats are fun ways to spend time with your family but this year, why not try something different as well?
If you’re looking for a way to create new memories – and maybe even some traditions that you’ll bring into the years to come – check out these great ways to bond with your family and have great craic doing so!
1. Have a Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Turn your home (or your neighbourhood, if you’re feeling ambitious!) into a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt. Hide small ornaments, candy canes, or clues leading to a bigger “treasure” which could be anything from a selection box to the promise of a movie night. Tailor the clues to your kids’ ages for a challenge everyone can get involved in. They’ll appreciate the treat all the more if they’ve had to work to find it!
2. Create a Christmas time capsule
On December 31st, collect favourite memories from this year – handwritten notes, keepsakes, or photos – and seal them in a festive container. Add predictions for the next year or wishes for each family member. Once you’re done, hide it away to open at a future holiday. It’s a magical way to connect past, present, and future. Maybe it’s something you and your family could do every year….
3. Host a DIY Christmas Craft Night
Crafting isn’t just for kids! Gather supplies for a DIY night – think handmade cards, ‘in-joke’ ornaments, or personalised stockings. This activity gives everyone a chance to make keepsakes that can be treasured year after year. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to bond and share laughs while getting a little messy.
4. Set up a Christmas Escape Room
If there’s someone in your house with an active imagination, get them to set up a holiday-themed escape room at home! Using riddles, puzzles, and clues hidden around the house, it’s a great way to get the whole family working together. Themes could be “Rescue Santa’s Sleigh” or “Find the Missing Elf.” It’s a fun way to challenge everyone’s brains while keeping the festive energy high
5. Try a Christmas Storytelling Circle
Gather everyone around the fireplace or a cosy kitchen and invent a new holiday story together. Take turns adding a sentence or paragraph, letting the tale get as wacky and whimsical as possible. You can even record it or write it down to revisit each year. Expect plenty of belly laughs and surprises with this one!
