10 Ways to Keep the Holidays Fun for the Whole Family

No matter what your religion is, or isn’t, or what customs you celebrate, the holidays really can be the best time of the year.

But sometimes the pressure to make them just that can backfire.

Unfortunately, there are many people who sigh at the thought of enduring “the most wonderful time of the year” and simply count the days until it’s over.

The longing to see the kids back in school, to return to the routine and have relatives return to their own homes, to stop the leak that’s sprung in your bank account, and to get all of those yummy treats out of your face is understandable.

Trying to pack a year’s worth of joy into the last 30 days can be exhausting.

The key to trading your exhaustion in for exhilaration is to take control of your holidays so they meet your definition of joyful.

Today we’ll look at 10 ways to do just that.

1. Plan Ahead 

The countdown is on to Christmas and the New Year. Sit down with a December calendar and choose what holiday activities your family will participate in.

Truth is, you could have something going every night. This probably isn’t practical from a scheduling or a financial perspective.

Look at what’s going on in your area and have your kids prioritize their interests. Let everyone choose at least one thing they’d like to make a family holiday outing.

Make decisions on things you definitely won’t do, including invitations from relatives or others to parties or outings that just won’t fit in your schedule.

2. Lower Expectations 

Planning ahead may help to lower expectations, or at least to establish what the holiday schedule will look like.

Think about gifts here and consider not going crazy. If there are things your kids want that are too much, tell them now. 

Let them know what the tree bounty will look like so they won’t constantly hound you until the big day (hopefully!) and won’t be disappointed on Christmas morning, or whenever your gift ritual occurs.

3. Watch for Signs of Sensory Overload

A lot of kids have existing sensory issues even when it isn’t a naturally stimulating time. But even those who fall in the “normal” range of sensory processing can easily become overloaded during the holidays.

Look for signs of sensory overload such as heightened and busy behavior, sensitivity to noise, frequent meltdowns and/or aggressive behavior, and unexpected withdrawal from activities.

What you may be classing as “bad” behavior may just be your child’s reaction to sensory overload. 

Have a plan in place if you see this happening.

Your plan will depend on your child’s needs, but could include allowing her a quiet escape space, scaling down activities for a few days, or providing access to some gross motor activities to work off the overload.

4. Maintain Routines

The temptation to let the kids stay up late and break all the rules when it comes to eating and watching a screen is real.

“But it’s the holidays!” you may be thinking.

Yes but, your children still thrive on keeping some sort of a routine, as do we adults.

Sure, you should make exceptions and have fun, but letting your child who goes to bed at 9:00 suddenly stay up until midnight every night isn’t doing him any favors.

It simply makes it harder for him to get the most out of the next day’s activities, and likely harder on everyone who has to be around him too.

5. Include the Kids 

Our to-do lists grow so big over the holidays. 

Managing the kids, especially once winter break starts, and getting all the extras on your list done can turn mom into the Grinch.

Look at your to-dos and see what your children can do to help.

If you’re all involved in a project together, you can knock it out quicker, and as mom you won’t have to be trying to do your thing while managing the kids separate thing at the same time.

Your children can help with baking, coming up with gift ideas, helping to make and manage to-do lists, shopping, cleaning up, decorating, and really just about anything depending on their age.

6. Set Your Own Rules and Limits 

Expectations from family and friends and various groups you’re involved in can be difficult to juggle over the holidays.

The pressure to be gracious, please everyone, and bend to others’ expectations — especially if the holidays are the only time you see them — is real.

Be careful not to set yourself up for stress and overwhelm here. Be realistic about what you can and can’t do, even if that means hurting someone’s feelings in the name of preserving your own sanity.

Explain the situation the best you can when you have to decline, and don’t be afraid to make cameo appearances if that’s all some of the family can handle.

At the end of the day, taking care of you is more important than pleasing others.

7. Avoid Sugar and Food Dyes and Colors

Yes, this can be a tricky one, and no, you don’t have to become the food scrooge, but try to live by the “everything in moderation” rule.

There are plenty of healthy but still yummy options out there. Make it a point to have these available around your house. 

Pinterest is your friend here. As the link between behavior issues and sugar, as well as artificial colors and dyes, becomes more apparent, the options for excluding these things and still pleasing the kids have become greater.

Again, you don’t do your child any favors by letting her put all this junk into her body when you know she’ll suffer the consequences of not being able to fully enjoy the day.

8. Get Physical 

You’re busy, the kids are on break, and it’s likely cold. Hiring the reliable television babysitter is tempting. 

Resist the urge and encourage your kids to get outside and run around. 

Take the time to go on a daily walk with them, it will likely save you time in the end as you find your productivity soaring after the walk.

The more you can keep that energy from getting pent up inside them, the more your kids will enjoy the day and activities each day brings.

9. Establish Family Traditions 

Everyone loves traditions, it goes back to  the fact that we all thrive on routines.

Think about some simple yet meaningful things you’d like your family to do every holiday season.

Once your kids come to expect it, they’ll look forward to it and choose these simpler traditions in favor of those that may require more effort and money.

It can be anything from classic movies in front of the fire, to tree shopping together, a simple favorite food or drink you make and share together, volunteer work you do, or books you read at night.

10. Stock Up on Crafts 

Head to the Dollar Store and create a bin of holiday craft supplies that the kids can have access to whenever they’re bored or you need a break.

You can encourage them to make gifts for everyone, including strangers, or make decorations you can place around the house, or simply craft for no purpose at all other than to see what they can create.

You don’t have to have a plan in mind here, the choices are abundant and the Dollar Store is cheap. 

For older kids who have some specific gifts in mind you may need to visit your more expensive local craft store, which is good too.

The point is to have something relevant, different, and fun that your kids can do without a lot of hands-on help from you.

Connect With Kids Party Characters

Hopefully you’ve gotten some good ideas about how to keep the fun factor high and the stress factor low this holiday season.

Make sure to join Kids Party Characters on Facebook, as we’ll continue to share more tips on making this your best holiday yet, as well as our best strategies for working at home while raising happy and healthy kids.

And when it’s time for your next party, KidsPartyCharacters.com is where you’ll go to plan your child’s dream party. 

In fact, even if her birthday is months away, put down a deposit on that party before the end of the year and you’ll receive a 15% discount when you book the party, or a free upgrade to the next highest party package.

Simply mention this offer when you call, and we’ll hook you up with the discount as our way of saying thanks for being a supporter of Kids Party Characters.