PEACE AT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The week between Christmas and New Year's (I like to call it the Twilight Zone) can be challenging for families when cooped up inside together — especially this year, with yet another round of restrictions.
Although many are craving some downtime after the frantic lead-up to the big day, it's important to keep families engaged, busy and ... not at war! The secret to `peace on Earth' at home is to plan a schedule of daily activities that everyone in the family can look forward to. Having themed lunches or dinners, theatre nights and online Zoom parties are just a few ways to engage everyone.
MEALTIME FUN
Scheduling the week with themed meals is a great way to get everyone at home excited to eat together. From a costume party brunch to themed dinner menus based on faraway places you've visited, there are many ways to create fun experiences that top, or at least rival, the big dinner from Christmas Day.
One excellent source of help for the themed dinner is M&M Food Market's frozen meal kits and prepared food. My favourites are the Mexican dinner kits, which include things like empanadas, spicy chicken poblano firecrackers and chicken fajitas.
Simply get the entrees or meals out of the freezer a few hours before dinner and you are on your way to preparing a festive holiday fiesta. If you can't travel, at least you can recreate some of the culinary delights and celebratory feel of a family vacay — and don't forget to play some authentic music (maybe Feliz Navidad just one more time?).
MOVIE NIGHTS
Blankies, popcorn, lights out! Movie nights are a great way to pass the time at home on frosty nights. For those who love British productions, I've discovered the online streaming service Britbox, which brings classic BBC and ITV shows across the pond and into your family room. English mysteries, comedies, dramas and docs will fill your dark and stormy nights with world-class programming that traditionally has only been available in the United Kingdom.
Theme your royal performances with British-inspired snacks (I'll be grabbing the sausage roll, cheese-onion crisps and hot chocolate — made with classic Cadbury milk chocolate, of course!). Won't Auntie Lizzie be surprised when British hits like Upstairs Downstairs, French and Saunders or Downton Abbey are on the family-room telly in an all-out Brit-show marathon!
MOVE TO THE BEAT
Want to help cooped-up kids burn off excess energy from eating chocolate 24/7? Or how about holding a fun all-ages New Year's Eve gathering? Plan a family dance party. Clear away the coffee table and change the light bulbs to multicoloured LEDS to instantly create a nightclub vibe. Then hit play on tunes the whole family will love.
For the latest dance moves and music, download Ubisoft's Just Dance 2022, an online streaming service offering the latest dance songs and upbeat graphics, as well as dance moves to emulate. All you need is an internet-connected screen and your smartphone (to use as a controller) to access the latest 40 dance music hits.
Why not hold lighthearted dancing competitions to keep the whole family moving and grooving? Zoom your party with other families to create the feeling of a big group being all together. A few hours of mocktails, music and dance moves will get both young and old some cardio and foster “silent nights” where everyone sleeps like a baby.