Top 10 Holiday Activities To Do With The Family

Top 10 Holiday Activities To Do With The Family
By Dr. Michael H. Popkin

No matter how old your kids are, everyone enjoys getting into the holiday spirit. Starting and keeping traditions alive are a great way to promote a healthy, happy lifestyle that keeps your kids free from smoking. Check out our top 10 holiday activities:

1. Bake and Decorate Cookies

Holiday cookies are one of the easiest ways to get the whole family to participate in the kitchen. Give each family member designated jobs to keep things moving smoothly.

2. Go Ice-Skating (Indoor or Outdoor)

Keep your family active without losing your festive spirit. Find a local ice-skating rink, indoor or outdoor depending on where you live. Finish off the chilly day with mugs of hot chocolate.

3. Donate Coats and Clothes To Those In Need

Go online to find a local coat drive, like One Warm Coat and have your family participate in donating their old or gently used coats to kids in need. It gives kids an opportunity to give back and know they are making a difference.

4. Watch A Holiday Special

Start a tradition of finding a favorite family Holiday movie or TV special to watch together. Find one that has a holiday message that resonates with your family values.

5. Buy Gifts For The Needy

Find a local toy drive, like Toys For Tots, and have your kids pick out toys for other kids in need. Another great option is to find a family in need and help them buy their presents. Look online for organizations in your area.

6. Attend A Local Pageant

Introduce a bit of culture and take your family to a local pageant, play, ballet or art event.

7. Plan A Family Photo Shoot

Have your kids help plan a family photo shoot. Take a variety of pictures together and choose as a family which ones to send out to your friends and family.

8. Send Out Thank You Cards-Before Gifts Are Received

Get into the reason for the season. Have kids pick people who mean a lot to them, like relatives, teachers or coaches and send them a handwritten note.

9. Local Christmas Light Drive

Go online to find a local Christmas light drive in your area. There are gorgeous Christmas lights decorating parks and neighborhoods. Share the magical moments with your family.

10. Wrap Presents Together

Having kids help wrap gifts will give them that extra feeling of excitement when they see someone opening a present, knowing they helped cause that happiness.

Try out any or all of these ideas to help get your family into the holiday spirit and make this season one they won't forget. Holiday traditions promote quality family time, bringing your family closer together. By promoting a strong family, you also promote a healthy lifestyle away from smoking and alcohol. Happy Holidays!

Pioneer educator Dr. Michael Popkin, the longtime spokesman for Lorillard's Youth Smoking Prevention Program, Real Parents, Real Answers, is the founder of Active Parenting Publishers and is the author of many award winning video-based parenting education programs.

An expert in his field, Dr. Popkin earned a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University and has served as Director of Child and Family Services at an Atlanta hospital.

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