The Holidays Are Family Time
Holidays bring together an assortment of family members, and sometimes they can seem very assorted indeed. Still, it’s just this kind of mixing and matching that strengthens family bonds, and lets us truly connect. Here are a few ideas for encouraging new combinations:
Give neighborhood tours: This is a sneaky way to get people out of the house and get some exercise. Anyone can be tour director -- a child will show off the local playground; a history buff will illustrate how the area has changed over the years. A Great Family Moments tour can highlight the spot where somebody first learned to ride a two-wheeler, or the parking lot that served as a driving school.
Back in the house, let younger people interview older folks about their lives. They can take notes, put together a presentation or skit, or just tell the group what they’ve learned. Or choose one family member to be the subject of an episode of This Is Your Life. Family members can share memories about the person being honored.
Other game show activities can work as well: Put together a game of Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy, with some people assigned to doing the research for those all-important questions: What was the name of a favorite childhood pet? How did Grandma and Grandpa meet? How many states have been lived in by the assembled group?
These kinds of activities give us different ways to relate to each other. They help the time flow (before the meal for the research; after the meal for the game or presentation.) They let a variety of people use an assortment of talents. They break up the old routines.
If you think you might need help convincing your family to go along with some of these ideas, find an adult ally or two ahead of time. Kids are always up for new ideas. And who knows; you might be starting a new tradition.
The meal will still be the centerpiece; these are the accompaniments. But when you leave, you will be carrying away more than left-overs. Happy holidays!
Mealtimes Matter Video
from Miriam Weinstein
About Miriam
Miriam Weinstein is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. As a journalist, she has won several awards from the New England Press Association. Her work has appeared in Boston Magazine, the Boston Globe magazine, Hope, and ParentSource. A former staff member for North Shore Weeklies and freelancer for Essex County Newspapers, she writes restaurant reviews and food columns as well as features on a wide variety of subjects. She lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts, with her husband and has two grown children.
The Surprising Power of Family Meals
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