Wonderful Winter Traditions

The holiday season is all about coming together with family and friends to celebrate, which often makes winter the perfect time of year to get your kids excited about long standing family traditions or seasonal activities, especially if they are on an extended break from school. During this time of year, how do you and your loved ones celebrate the holidays?

One of the most popular means of getting family and friends together around Christmas is by throwing your very own holiday party or get together. Don’t forget that there are a number of ways to add the right bit of seasonal flare to your next gathering. Here are some of our top 5 tips on creating a few wonderful winter traditions:

1. Theme Your Gatherings Around an Activity: The holiday season can bring people together for various reasons. Popular themes often include parties where guests dress in silly seasonal sweaters, watch classic holiday movies, swap holiday recipes, or even bake and decorate Christmas cookies.
2. Add Seasonal Flavors to Your Recipes and Menus: When deciding on what to serve your guests, look to flavors that might remind your friends and family about the time of year. Incorporating items like cinnamon, chestnuts, figs or nutmeg into dishes can always help your menu seem more festive. Remember that during the holidays many people also look to warm comfort foods to combat the often cold temperatures.
3. Showcase Seasonal Items: When it comes to the holidays, try highlighting items that are not regularly seen in stores or around your table. Children and adults alike would be quick to smile at the sight of treats like eggnog, gingerbread cookies, or candy cane stirrers for coffee and hot cocoa.
4. Dress Your Home for the Occasion: From wreaths and holly to mistletoe and other festive finds, try to set the mood by displaying your holiday spirit with some darling décor. To get the best store selections and deals, you might need to start gathering these items early, or if you have the time, go for something a little more homemade.
5. Don’t forget the Details: Sometimes, it is the little things that really make a memorable party. After all, the holiday season is a very special time of year. Consider taking the added time and effort to plan for homemade or store bought initiations, small ‘thank you’ giveaways, or anything that makes your party feel more personalized to your guests.

But the one thing to keep in mind is that holiday parties are about having fun with the ones you love, so try not to take on more than you can handle. Use these tips to host a gathering that everyone will enjoy and remember for years to come.