12 Days of Holiday Cheer for the Whole Family

It’s December Mamas… time to deck the halls, dust off your favourite tree decorations, and fill your home with the sweet smell of Holiday treats! Yes, this can be a chaotic time of year, and yes, by December 26 you’ll feel like you’ve been carried away in a flurry of tinsel—but, isn’t that all part of the fun? If ever there was a time of year to reconnect with your inner child, the holidays are it, and we guarantee your kids will be ready to jump on board! Today we’re sharing 12 fun and festive ways your family can get into the holiday spirit--our take on the classic Twelve Days of Christmas. Whether you plan one of these activities per day, or pile them into a few cheerful weekends, your countdown to the holidays is sure to be merry & bright!

Day 1: Sweet Cookie Baking
Can there ever be too many sweet treats during the Holidays? Just ask your kids—you’ll find the answer is a unanimous “NO!” Get your aspiring bakers to help with classic family recipes, such as spicy gingerbread men, or sugar cookies dusted with glittering sprinkles. Just watch you don’t get bumped to the naughty list for sampling the cookie dough!

Day 2: Holiday Specials Watching
Frosty the Snowman, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Love Actually… whatever feel-good holiday special you're into, why not make it a full-fledged family movie night. Don your coziest pyjamas, eat all the salted caramel popcorn, and snuggle up together like two—or three, or four—birds of a feather.

Day 3: Festive Music Dancing
Get rockin’ around the Christmas tree with your Littles! Everyone loves an impromptu dance party and with dozens of Holiday playlists on Spotify, there’s no reason not to show your kids how to move to Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas”!

Day 4: Christmas Market Strolling
Looking for a hand painted nesting doll? Dutch delicacies? Or peppermint scented candles? There’s a good chance you’ll find them at your local Christmas market. Holiday bazaars large and small will be taking place all month long where your family can listen to carollers, nibble freshly roasted chestnuts, and of course, shop!

Day 5: Tree Ornament Crafting
Whether you have craft-loving kids, or you’d simply like to DIY a few decorations to trim your tree, making ornaments is a lovely way to add a personal touch to your holiday décor. Consider asking your kids to make one special ornament each December; your kids will love building their own unique collection year after year!

Day 6: Holiday Card Writing
With the price of a single domestic stamp being a dollar apiece (yikes!), you may be tempted to swap all your handwritten cards for e-cards. Try sending a small handful of old fashioned snail mail to your nearest & dearest; your kids can make the cards and they’ll delight in knowing it will make someone’s day!

Day 7: Santa Claus Parading
On Dasher, on Prancer, on Donner, & Blitzen, it’s time to bundle up the babes and join the crowded sidewalk of Main Street for your local Santa Claus parade. Let your Littles stuff their pockets with candy canes passed out by elves, and watch their faces light up as Mr. Kringle himself glides by on his glittering sleigh—Ho Ho Ho!

Day 8: Snowy Hillside Sledding
Wherever there is snow, you’ll find kids trudging up hills to go tobogganing. The speed, the bumps, the puffs of powdery snow that blow into their faces, it’s thrilling! Even the youngest of children will brave the cold for a few rides… you might even go once or twice yourself. If you’re pregnant and prefer to supervise from the hilltop, be sure to cheer on your budding bobsledders! ​

Day 9: Hot Cocoa Drinking
Follow-up your outdoors adventure with winter’s coziest beverage. Whether you melt chocolate, concoct a unique cocoa blend, or opt for a tasty pre-prepared version, everyone will agree that hot cocoa is best paired with rosy wind-chilled cheeks!

Day 10: Local Charitable Giving
Tis the season to be generous, not only towards those we hold dear, but also towards ALL people! Show your Little Ones how to foster their giving spirits by letting them choose and support a local charity. Maybe they offer a few dollars of their allowance, or pick a special toy for a child their age; giving doesn’t need to be grand to be meaningful.

Day 11: Neighbourhood Carol Singing
Carol singing is one of the most quintessential Holiday rituals aground, but alas, it’s a fading tradition within our neighbourhoods. Let’s bring it back, shall we? Practice one or two songs with your kids, then tour the block! A simple “Fa-la-la-la-la” is enough to warm many a heart—and you might even make away with some Figgy Pudding!

Day 12: Friends & Family Skyping
You may not be able to see all your loved ones face-to-face this season, but with Skype, FaceTime, and Facebook Video Chat, it’s never been easier to convey your good tidings! Gather your family around the screen to “ring up” someone special; the merry exchange will leave everyone with a full and happy heart!
 
Having young ones in your life always makes the holidays extra special. They wonder at glittering snowfalls, stand in awe before towering Christmas trees, and wait in gleeful anticipation of Santa’s arrival. Planning holiday activities is more than just a way to occupy the kiddos as the weather drops below zero, it’s also a way to spend quality time as a family building traditions you’ll look forward to year after year. Use our ‘12 Days of Holiday Cheer’ as a guide to make this December purely magical!