Simple Ways To Get Your Kids Involved During The Holidays
As we decorate our homes with sparkly lights, fresh cut trees, and more glitter than our spouses may like... we continue to enjoy the holiday season. I love it all.I love feeling the weather get colder.I love seeing my neighbors put up their lights.I love watching Christmas movies with my family.My kids are finally at ages where they want to partake in it all. Which means our tree ends up a little lopsided, the decorations consist of paper chains (everywhere), and everything takes a bit longer. The OCD side of me screams to do it all myself, but where's the fun in that?I love watching how they put their own precious mark on our traditions.Sometimes it can get a little tricky to find things they can help with, especially as our home fills with our family members from around the globe. This year I've been trying to think ahead on how they can get involved.The last few years we've gone to visit my husband's side of the family. I hardly see my kids the whole time we're there. They run off to their cousin's and soak in all their time together. I love seeing how close they all are.The closer you look, you realize the kids aren't really doing their own thing the whole time. They have their own little jobs throughout the holidays. The whole family has a role to play and it makes it run smoothly. Little things may come up like they do every other day of our lives, but it doesn't phase them. Everyone makes it work.It's a tradition that we happily continue in our house. Our kids are getting older and their roles are starting to change. Sometimes they're even the big kids in the house, which they love of course!
6 Simple Ways To Get The Kids Involved During The Holidays
Make The Decorations
Let the kids help make place cards and decorations for everyone. They can use simple things from around the house or even some cinnamon sticks from Nanamma's pantry. When they see everyone's faces as they sit down for dinner and see their place cards, they'll feel a huge amount of pride!
Prepare The House For Guests
There's always something to clean when guests come into town. Hand them a paper towel roll with some spray and let them go to town. They can wipe down all the counters, tables, windows, and even throw a bit of laundry in there. It's an easy job to delegate and you can even find a fun job for them!
Help Prepare The Curries
Kids love to help out in the kitchen. They can easily help you mix the curries, fry the onions, or add in a few ingredients. Then they can tell the world they helped make the dish! It's a great skill for them to learn at a young age and it's great bonding time between them and their family! If it doesn't turn out well, you even have someone to blame!
Serve The Chai
Chai is a staple in Indian homes. Whip up the tea and have your kids help bring it to their loved ones. They can even help set it up on the table and invite their Nanammas and Uthas to join them! It teaches them a bit about hospitality and entertains your guests.
Put On A Show
Let them plan a show for everyone! They can practice all month and then put it on when everyone arrives. There's nothing better than a child led production. They're hilarious and so sweet. It will definitely get everyone laughing!
Plan The Games For The Cousins
Have the kids think up fun games to play when their cousins arrive. They can search for new ones online or do ones they do at school. Your kids can write them all down on a piece of paper so it's ready to go!
Go Shopping With You To Get Supplies
My kids always go with me shopping. It's partly because they love it and partly because they have no choice! Lately, we've been using Walmart online! It's amazing! You can either shop online and have it send to your home in two days for FREE or you can put your order online and pick up using their online grocery!Stock up for the holidays and have your kids help pick out festive Kleenex tissue paper, Scott toilet paper, and Cottonelle toilet paper! Don't forget to check out your Ibotta coupons too! (Scott, Kleenex, Cottonelle)I love using their website because it means I get to stay home and I don't have to load up my car with bulky items and deal with the kids asking for a hundred things!Walmart is always trying to help moms out there. They know how crazy shopping can get with kids so they try to make it as easy as possible.