Nemom Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Due to multiple food allergies for three of us and the overwhelming feeling that cooking has become more of a burden than anything else...there will be no holiday cookies or other baking fun at my house. We are in need of new holiday traditions. Kids are teenagers and we are not crafty people at all. Does your family do anything fun that you would care to share with a house full of people in need of holiday cheer and bonding time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasc Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Board games. Afternoon movie at the theater. That’s what we like. :) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Are there any Christmasy events in your town/area? Zoolights, historic houses decorated for holidays, anything like that? That's what I'd look for. Also movies, playing games together, going on a hike (weather depending). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyGF Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 You might try looking at Elizabeth Foss's site. She has similar challenges but has come up with a bunch of Christmas traditions. (She's Catholic, btw, with Italian/Swedish family traditions, just as a warning.) Emily 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) sing carols together. Have people who play instruments play the harmony parts. go to a Christmas concert together (one of my favorite childhood memories is the entire family going to listen to my mom who was the soloist in a Christmas Eve vesper concert before heading home for presents. We also used to go to a yearly performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio) or watch a Christmas themed live theatre performance Christmas hike or climb (we did a traditional New years day climbing outing every year) go to a Christkindl Market Evening bike tour to look at local Christmas lights Edited December 17, 2017 by regentrude 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemom Posted December 17, 2017 Author Share Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) Board games. Afternoon movie at the theater. That’s what we like. :) I love board games but my kids not so much. :closedeyes: Part of that might be because one of the kids is a very sore loser. We always go to a movie Christmas Day in the afternoon. But I don't know if we will even be able to keep up that tradition because the smell of the foods (buttered popcorn) has started bothering my dd and has been causing her to feel like her throat is swelling shut. We carry EpiPens but I prefer to not ever have to use them if it can be avoided. Edited December 17, 2017 by Nemom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Try a co-op board game rather than a competitive one ... We like Star Trek Five Year Mission or Mysterium or Hanabi (we've played lots of Forbidden Desert and Forbidden Island and Pandemic in the past but I like other things better for gameplay elements that prevent one player from dominating the game). You all win or lose together. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaz Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 I'm sorry, food allergies are awful! We're going to start giving books each Christmas Eve in honor of the Christmas Book Flood, that I learned about here this year: http://www.icelandwritersretreat.com/christmas-book-flood-beloved-icelandic-tradition/ We like to read around the Christmas tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 How about coloring? You could print out some Christmas images and color together. If you want, make them into tray favors for meals on wheels, hospitals, and nursing homes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Perhaps do a movie at home? It could become your new tradition. We drive around looking at lights on Christmas Eve, with Christmas music on. We always drink hot chocolate but with allergies and such, that is easily skipped. Would your family enjoy doing a puzzle together? They can be fun especially if it's not something you usually do. We've been visiting a Christkindlmarket for years...great fun! Even though you are not crafty you could set out luminaries on Christmas Eve. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 We don't put ornaments on the tree until Christmas Eve, so then decorating is part of our celebration. You could maybe make those Danish cookie basket ornaments but put little candies in them? Is there some kind of candy you all can have? And maybe hang candy canes on the tree? Or even MAKE candy? (It's not that hard, and it's kind of engrossing, watching the changes in the solution with temperature. Can you tell I like chemistry, LOL?) Another Danish custom is to put the Christmas tree in the middle of the room and dance around it singing Christmas carols. Some hot seasonal drink afterwards would complement this custom nicely, I think. My FOO used to go for a walk together between dinner and dessert on Christmas Day. That was nice--it settled our dinners and let us visit neighbors briefly in passing. We also played silly music and did a little ballroom dancing--waltz, foxtrot, jitterbug, chicken dance, and conga line. These were nice customs because they involved the whole family, including little children. A good game for a crowd that doesn't arouse a lot of competitiveness is Mexican train. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Audubon Christmas Bird Count http://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count I think this will be the 118th year. I think you can count on your own or join groups for bird walks. Bird people are very friendly in my experience and generous about letting you use spotting scopes and so on. Just don't bring super noisy kids, lol. You could also put up a variety of bird feeders and fill with good quality seed for specific birds. I used to use mixed supermarket seed -- whatever birds showed up ate one kind and threw the rest on the ground, attracting squirrels and so on. If you have a decent wild bird store in your area, they can give you invaluable advice. Higher cost, but worth it imo. You should check whether or not you have to bring in feeders at night, due to other wildlife. This varies by area. Your post reminded me that I gave to buy amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus. We love to put these in a sunny winow. Lots of supermarkets sell preplanted pots, so all you have to do is water and enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicJen Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 We have a tradition of taking gifts to the homeless shelters together. We find that sharing in the excitement of helping others is an amazing feeling and we all really like doing it as a family. They usually have specific items they are in need of. We also like to watch Christmas movies together. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemom Posted December 17, 2017 Author Share Posted December 17, 2017 sing carols together. Have people who play instruments play the harmony parts. go to a Christmas concert together (one of my favorite childhood memories is the entire family going to listen to my mom who was the soloist in a Christmas Eve vesper concert before heading home for presents. We also used to go to a yearly performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio) or watch a Christmas themed live theatre performance Christmas hike or climb (we did a traditional New years day climbing outing every year) go to a Christkindl Market Evening bike tour to look at local Christmas lights I have never heard of this. What is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemom Posted December 17, 2017 Author Share Posted December 17, 2017 We have a tradition of taking gifts to the homeless shelters together. We find that sharing in the excitement of helping others is an amazing feeling and we all really like doing it as a family. They usually have specific items they are in need of. We also like to watch Christmas movies together. We've already delivered our Angel Tree gifts this year. I would love to be able to go and serve at a homeless shelter over the holiday as a family but the food allergies prevents that. Neither one of my kids would be comfortable serving food they are allergic to which is understandable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicJen Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 We've already delivered our Angel Tree gifts this year. I would love to be able to go and serve at a homeless shelter over the holiday as a family but the food allergies prevents that. Neither one of my kids would be comfortable serving food they are allergic to which is understandable. We don't get involved with the food there, we donate items they need. At the women's shelter feminine hygiene products are often high on the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicJen Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Oh and they love getting diapers and wipes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 What about snuggling up at night, with the tree lit, with maybe cocoa or some treat you all can have, and reading a book together over a series of nights? A Christmas Carol? Letters from Father Christmas? A Christmas Memory? The Best Christmas Pageant Ever? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 We have multiple LTFAs, some of which are airborn (DS has had anaphylaxis from smelling the hot bar section at a grocery store, and once at home - at home it was lentil soup, no idea what it was at the store, also on a plane, ugh). We do all of our celebrating at home, and people can come to us, but we do not travel in High Allergen Season anymore - too risky. All that home made food and all those allergens everywhere. Ugh. So - traditions. We do a lot of the above, so I will try not to repeat. :) On Xmas Eve, we have an open house - we do chili and serve safe desserts, and friends and neighbors can drop in as they can. We do not go out visiting. We do the Golden Ticket under the pillow one night, a la the Polar Express. The kids find their tickets under their pillows as they are going to bed, we jump in the car and look at lights in our jammies. We make a few safe treats for us, this year we are only making dairy free Sunbutter Buckeyes (I have to modify even this recipe to be safe). But really, we are not food focused. DS makes a special bag of allergy friendly foods, and labels it as such - he drops this at the food pantry, explaining what it is. He is very concerned that people with serious allergies often miss out at the food pantry. Gingerbread houses: We have a selection of allergies, but the ones that are anaphylactic are peanut, tree nut, sesame, lentil, banana, shellfish and avocado. Wheat, eggs and dairy cause asthma and severe eczema and stomach pain, but not anaphylaxis (yet). We have some of those non-anaphylactic allergens in the house, and DS doesn’t consume them. With trial and error we’ve found that DS can make gingerbread houses, just has to wash afterwards. At one point I baked safe gingerbread (very difficult with our allergies), another year we ordered safe kits for $40 each. Now we just find one that doesn’t actually contain his anaphylactic allergens and he doesn’t eat it. We make almost all the gifts we give, so there’s a lot of focus on making time, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Things that don't involve food: We like to do a jigsaw puzzle sometime during the Christmas season. The Dowdle ones (I find them at Costco for $10 during December) are our favorites--500 pieces, great pictures. Watch Elf or whatever your holiday favorite is. We have Johanna Basford's Christmas coloring book and leave that out in the living room with colored pencils. Play a Pandora Christmas channel all day long. Dh has set up a nice one with lots of instrumental jazzy songs. Cut out snowflakes and tape them to the window. Go on a hike or walk. Put together a Lego set. We do the newest Winter Village set during Advent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 (edited) A puzzle--leave it out and work on it little by little together. Read A Christmas Carol out loud--maybe someone could do that while the others work on the puzzle. Make a point of watching a few Christmas movies together. Here's a tutorial for fancy snowflakes to cut out. It's crafty, but simple and you only have to make one or two and then stop. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jrctxy76dTE Edited December 18, 2017 by Garga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaHadley Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Make ornaments - we did the cinnamon/applesauce/glue ones and cut them them cookie cutters and decorated with squeezable puffy paint. You could do salt dough also though. Make gingerbread houses from paper bags and construction paper if you can't do the real ones. Make it a competition so it's fun rather than cheesy if your kids are older ;) Rent some great Christmas movies.Scavenger hunt/geocaching ? We made some of the ornaments with the clear glass balls too. Those were fun. learn to crochet or knit or sew and make something together - a quilt perhaps?make bird seed projects - suet cakes, the pretty bird feeder wreaths with lots of different bird treats. You could take them and hang them outside of the windows of nursing homes may be. riding to look at lights is always fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Drive around to look at lights Watch a cheesy movie Puzzle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Bunny Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 I hear that buying gifts based on themes, with short notice, is a lot of fun. And I believe Starting with X hasn’t been taken yet! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 (edited) I love board games but my kids not so much. :closedeyes: Part of that might be because one of the kids is a very sore loser. We always go to a movie Christmas Day in the afternoon. But I don't know if we will even be able to keep up that tradition because the smell of the foods (buttered popcorn) has started bothering my dd and has been causing her to feel like her throat is swelling shut. We carry EpiPens but I prefer to not ever have to use them if it can be avoided. If you want suggestions for a game idea.....look for a cooperative game. Just google Cooperative board games adults and you will get several lists that will have descriptions of the games. They are played with an everyone wins/loses together theme. Here is one list Edited December 18, 2017 by Tap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 (edited) We're trying a new tradition this year. Actually, I'm trying to convince everyone that we're trying a new tradition. On Christmas Eve, I want everyone to share either a song, poem, or story (could be reading a Christmas story, reading from the Bible, or reading a story they wrote themselves). Ds and dd's fiancee are already preparing a beautiful song, so I figured everyone else could do that, too. The boys all play instruments. Dd could brush up an easy piano piece if she put 20 minutes into it. We have a few grandparents here. I really like the idea of sitting around the Christmas tree with egg nog (or wine) and enjoying whatever it is that everyone is sharing. And that includes what the adults share, too. It's not just about kids performing. I truly want this to be a shared evening. Unfortunately, I've had some negative feedback. No one is super excited about the idea. But, I may just forge ahead and see what happens. Edited December 18, 2017 by Sarah CB 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 What about making ornaments? You could do a theme every year. Wood, beads, clay, etc. Everyone could make one and you put the date on all of them and when the kids move out, they each take the one they made with them. We used to pick up clear glass ornaments from Michael's and then decorate them - sometimes we'd stuff cotton into them or glitter. Sometimes we'd paint the outsides or smear glue on them and then decorate with glitter. They turned out really pretty. We'd tie a pretty ribbon to the top so they could be hung. We used these as gifts for teachers and grandparents and we had fun making them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TABmom Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Maybe find a live nativity somewhere? Go see the Nutcracker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 I have never heard of this. What is it? traditional German Christmas markets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 (edited) How about some outdoor activities? Skiing, sliding, or snowshoeing. If marshmallows aren't a problem, how about making a set of marshmallow shooters together and having a friendly battle outside? Nerf war inside? We head to church for the candlelight service every Christmas Eve. Visit some older folks you know, even briefly and drop off a card or something? We used to use Halloween as an excuse to visit 4 or 5 older couples that we never found time to visit otherwise. Edited December 18, 2017 by Tina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Did you ask your kids?They may have some great ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 We're trying a new tradition this year. Actually, I'm trying to convince everyone that we're trying a new tradition. On Christmas Eve, I want everyone to share either a song, poem, or story (could be reading a Christmas story, reading from the Bible, or reading a story they wrote themselves). Ds and dd's fiancee are already preparing a beautiful song, so I figured everyone else could do that, too. The boys all play instruments. Dd could brush up an easy piano piece if she put 20 minutes into it. We have a few grandparents here. I really like the idea of sitting around the Christmas tree with egg nog (or wine) and enjoying whatever it is that everyone is sharing. And that includes what the adults share, too. It's not just about kids performing. I truly want this to be a shared evening. Unfortunately, I've had some negative feedback. No one is super excited about the idea. But, I may just forge ahead and see what happens. They're only not enthusiastic because it's "out of the norm." I say, plunge right ahead with your plan. They may change their tune once they've actually experienced the fun! OP - there are some great ideas on here! My mom always used to have a puzzle out at Christmas. Everyone who came to visit could sit and work on part of it, if they wished, while visiting. Great idea! Makes me want to go out and find a puzzle now - and figure out where to put it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Thanks so much for mentioning this! This is perfect for someone on my list. Any chance you can compare it to Star Trek Panic? Both are highly rated on Amazon. OP— is there some version of hot cocoa that everyone can have? I was thinking in lieu of baking, setting up a hot cocoa station with treats and toppings to go on top might be nice and easy (marshmallows, candy cane stirrers, etc), and then to enjoy along with Christmas books or movies toget We like Five Year Mission a LOT better than Panic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 fireworks movie togetherdriving around looking at Christmas lights in PJs with Christmas music and hot drinks take the kids to help an elderly person decorate their tree/put up lights on their house cut your own wild tree if that's an option sing along Christmas carols read aloud a Christmas Carol (or other book)Christmas Book flood (Icelandic tradition) walk through a live nativity, light display, or luminaria display Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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