Take a quick moment and think about your holiday celebrations over the years. What was it like as a child, teenager, adult, and as the time has gone by.

Are your holiday festivities the same or very different? Who is in our lives at different stages also plays a large role in what a celebration may be like.

This year I really want to focus on creating memories with family and friends, while simultaneously creating keepsakes for the future.

There is so much emphasis on television, commercials, and social media to shop, shop, shop and decorate over the top as if you are in a competition.

Reflection

Don’t get me wrong, I start shopping in August and decorate my apartment with all the passion in the world (while also trying to respect my boyfriend’s patience with my over-excitement. He is already worried about what I will do in our new place, haha)

But at the same time, I want to bring the holidays back to simpler times. Where Christmas doesn’t have to come from the dollar spot at Target.

Decorations can be family heirlooms that are much more valuable. And activities can be more than watching a movie.

| Related Article: Organizing Photographs

Family Holiday Ideas and Activities:

Here are a few holiday ideas I have thought of so far!

(*Disclosure- RLS Photogenic is an Amazon Associate and earns a small commission from qualifying purchases when you click through links. There is no extra cost to the buyer. I love sharing ideas and this program helps support small business owners! Also linked are some items from my printables collection. Thank you!)

• Do you have a relative that is downsizing? Ask them for any decorations they would like to give you.
• Build a gingerbread house. I actually find really fun ones at CVS every year!
• Plan a family night and watch old home videos or look through pictures [Slide Scanner Link]
• Put on display holiday pictures from the past. Then this year take a family photo and put it in a light colored picture frame. Have everyone in the photo sign the frame. [Picture Frames Link]
• Have a cookie/dessert recipe swap event! You could simply exchange recipes or have a bake off too!
• Pick out a holiday themed puzzle and build it together leading up to the special day
• Get together with friends and have a board game night
• Take fun, quick print photos together! Great for kids too. [Polaroid Camera Link]

Sign up for my weekly newsletter here!