Being together as a family is one of the best parts about the holiday season! The holidays come and go so quickly and are loaded with events and activities – it’s important to carve out some time and spend it as a family. Here are 3 ways you can spend meaningful and fun time together as a family during this busy time of year:

Look at Christmas Lights

Search your local paper or online for a map of the best Christmas lights in your area. Many news outlets will offer free guides to the most festive homes that you can visit and enjoy. There are even apps where you can see where others have pinned addresses of adorned houses and businesses and you can add your favorites too.

Bundle up, pour some hot (warm) chocolate into travel mugs, crank up the Christmas songs on the radio and head out an adventure together!

Go Caroling

If you’re looking for something where you can get out and stretch your legs, warm up your voices and go caroling. Pick 3-5 songs that your family knows by heart and head out to your friends and neighbor’s homes. Dress for the season and throw in some festive accessories like Santa hats or bells.

When they open their doors, sing to them! Be sure to agree on a song ahead of time and plan on being the lead in the group.

Donate

In anticipation of new toys and games coming in, work together to clean out the toy bin. Include your children in the conversation about how there are other kids who do not have toys for the holidays. Work together to assess which toys they have that they have outgrown or just don’t play with any more. Clean them up and then go together to donate them to a shelter or youth home. Teaching empathy through giving is a beautiful life lesson and does good for your community too.