The holidays scream “treats”.  It’s tradition to convene with family or framily (friends and family) around food.  Specialty items such as sugar cookies, gingerbread houses, halloween candy only come around once a year.  So what’s a little indulgence, right?  Unfortunately those aren’t the times we find balance.  Rather we may find ourselves trying to ‘get it all in’ before the tradition ends.

I too love traditions.  Even though we do create a few cookie and chocolate staples, around the holidays we also add non-food traditions.  Since Christmas/Hanukkah is approaching I’ll keep this post to this time of the year.  

Here are 3 ideas that keep us in the holiday spirit and away from sugar:

1.  Advent Calendar.  My kids (even the teen) love opening a small gift every day.  You can be creative with what the calendar looks like.  It can be in the form of a mailbox, $1 at the dollar store (it was a hit last year)  or as a wooden calendar with drawers/doors (purchased mine at Michael’s for $17).  I filled each of the boxes with assorted items in each compartment:  balloons, fake teeth, yoyos, erasers, expandable sponge capsules, natural gum (such a treat!), stickers, tattoos, etc.  On the 25th day of this year I’ve added a small bottle of essential oil for each of my children (age 10 and 13).  Shhh.
2. Handmade cardboard “ginger” bread house.  I use recycled cardboard, a few “craft items” picked up at Michael’s, buttons, and even cornstarch as snow.  
3. An ornament making party: the power of glue guns, ornament balls, decorative pieces and a child’s imagination.  All ages love this (even the teens).  
   

Be well,

Lynn