Alternative Options for Family Get-Togethers at the Holidays
Creative Ideas for Family Gatherings During the Holidays: Beyond the Traditional Dinner
The holidays are a time for family, laughter, and togetherness. But let’s be honest — doing the same thing every year can start to feel repetitive - and more of a chore than an enjoyable experince. Hosting a big holiday dinner is lovely, but sometimes it's fun to shake things up and try something new.
Whether you’re looking to change up the holiday routine, accommodate various family dynamics, or just add a little extra fun and excitement to the season, there are plenty of creative alternatives to traditional family gatherings.
In this blog post, I’ll share alternative ideas for family gatherings during the holidays that can help you create lasting memories with your loved ones. These ideas are perfect for families with children, multi-generational households, or those who just want to explore something different. Let’s dive in!
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1. Holiday Movie Marathon and Cozy Pajama Party
One of the easiest ways to bring the family together without the stress of a formal dinner is to host a holiday movie marathon. Encourage everyone to come dressed in their comfiest pajamas, bring blankets and pillows, and settle in for a day of classic holiday films.
How to Plan:
Create a movie lineup: Choose a mix of family-friendly classics, like Home Alone, Elf, The Grinch, or The Polar Express. You can also poll family members to pick their favorites.
Set up a snack bar: A snack table with popcorn, hot cocoa, cookies, and candy canes adds to the cozy vibe. This would be a great time to try out the snack board trend if you haven’t already!
Themed games: Between movies, plan simple games like holiday trivia or bingo to keep the energy up.
This low-key, low-prep gathering is ideal for families with kids who need to burn off holiday excitement without the pressure of a sit-down meal.
2. DIY Holiday Craft Party
If you’re looking for a more hands-on family gathering idea, consider throwing a DIY holiday craft party. This is especially great if your family enjoys getting creative and making something they can take home and cherish as a holiday keepsake.
How to Plan:
Set up crafting stations: Designate different areas for various types of crafts, such as DIY ornaments, wreath-making, or gingerbread house decorating.
Supplies: Provide all necessary materials like glue guns, glitter, paint, and craft paper. Encourage family members to bring their own embellishments or ideas if they’d like. To make it extra easy, you can purchase kits from stores like Paper Source or Michael’s that contain ALL of the supplies you’ll need.
Family crafts: Create a family-themed craft, like a collaborative holiday banner or wreath where everyone contributes a piece.
This type of gathering is great for all ages and allows the family to bond over creativity while producing personalized holiday decorations.
3. Potluck-Style Holiday Brunch
The pressure of preparing a large holiday dinner can be overwhelming. Instead, try hosting a potluck-style holiday brunch. This option shifts the focus away from a formal dinner and onto a relaxed, shared meal experience where everyone contributes.
How to Plan:
Delegate dishes: Ask each family member to bring a favorite breakfast or brunch dish — from homemade pancakes and casseroles to muffins and fruit salads.
Set a theme: Add some holiday flair by incorporating seasonal flavors like peppermint, cinnamon, or cranberry into the dishes.
Holiday drinks: Create a mimosa bar or hot chocolate station for a fun addition to the meal.
A brunch gathering allows for more flexibility in scheduling and is often a welcome change for those who want to avoid the typical holiday dinner rush. Plus, sharing the cooking responsibility makes things easier on everyone.
4. Outdoor Winter Adventure Day
For families who love the outdoors, why not spend the holidays enjoying a winter adventure day? Whether you live in a snowy climate or not, there are plenty of ways to enjoy nature and spend time together outside.
How to Plan:
Choose your adventure: In snowy areas, plan a day of sledding, ice skating, or building snowmen. For those in warmer climates, consider a family hike or picnic in a scenic spot.
Winter scavenger hunt: Organize a winter-themed scavenger hunt where participants look for items like pinecones, holiday decorations, or specific winter wildlife.
Warm-up station: After your adventure, gather around an outdoor fire pit with hot chocolate, s’mores, and cozy blankets to relax and share stories.
Outdoor activities encourage physical movement and fresh air, and they can help break the cycle of indoor holiday gatherings, giving everyone a chance to explore and reconnect with nature.
5. Volunteer Together as a Family
The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on gratitude and give back to the community. One meaningful way to bond as a family is to spend time volunteering together. This not only fosters a sense of togetherness but also allows your family to contribute to the well-being of others during the holiday season.
How to Plan:
Choose a cause: Look for local shelters, food banks, or organizations that need help during the holidays. You can volunteer to serve meals, organize toy donations, or help with holiday events.
Involve the kids: Many volunteer opportunities are family-friendly and welcome children. Whether it's packing food boxes or visiting senior citizens, kids can learn the value of kindness and empathy.
Start a family tradition: Volunteering as a family can become a cherished holiday tradition that teaches lifelong lessons about generosity and compassion.
Not only will this experience create lasting memories, but it will also instill in your family the spirit of giving that the holidays are truly about.
6. Holiday Escape Room Challenge
For families that love puzzles and excitement, consider a holiday escape room challenge. You can either visit a local escape room venue or create your own holiday-themed escape room experience at home.
How to Plan:
DIY escape room: If you’re doing this at home, set up a series of puzzles, clues, and locks that participants must solve to "escape" the room. Use holiday-themed props and clues for added fun.
Virtual escape rooms: If your family is spread out across the country, consider doing a virtual holiday escape room. Many companies now offer online versions that can be enjoyed remotely.
Prizes: Add a competitive element by offering small holiday prizes for the team that escapes the room the fastest.
This interactive experience is great for families with older kids or teens, as it encourages teamwork and problem-solving in a festive, lighthearted environment.
7. Holiday Cooking or Baking Contest
If your family enjoys spending time in the kitchen, why not turn your holiday gathering into a friendly cooking or baking contest? This can be a great way to try new recipes, share culinary traditions, and have some fun competition.
How to Plan:
Set a theme: Choose a theme for the contest, such as "best holiday cookies," "most creative dessert," or "festive appetizers." Make sure everyone knows the rules in advance.
Family voting: After all the dishes are prepared, set up a tasting table where family members can sample and vote for their favorites.
Prizes: Offer fun prizes like holiday-themed cookbooks, aprons, or small kitchen gadgets.
Cooking contests allow family members to showcase their creativity in the kitchen, and the end result is a delicious feast that everyone can enjoy.
8. Family Game Night
Family game night is a classic, but it can be especially fun around the holidays when everyone is together. Rather than sticking to traditional board games, you can add a holiday twist to make it more festive.
How to Plan:
Holiday-themed games: Play holiday trivia, charades, or Pictionary with Christmas, Hanukkah, or other seasonal themes. You can also play classic games with a holiday spin — for example, a Christmas version of Bingo. We even like to have a family “Mario-Kart Night” every once in a while!
Prizes: Offer small holiday-themed prizes for the winners, such as ornaments, candy canes, or festive mugs.
DIY games: Get creative and make up your own family games, like a "snowball toss" using soft cotton balls or a "pin the nose on Rudolph" activity.
Family game night is perfect for families with kids of all ages, and it’s a great way to share laughs and build memories without a big investment of time or money.
9. Virtual Family Reunion
In today’s world, not all families can be together physically during the holidays, whether due to distance, health concerns, or other reasons. A virtual family reunion is a great way to stay connected, no matter where everyone is located.
How to Plan:
Choose a platform: Use Zoom, Google Meet, or another video conferencing platform to gather the family. Make sure everyone has the link and understands how to join.
Create a schedule: Plan out activities like virtual games, a shared holiday toast, or even a virtual gift exchange.
Share memories: Ask family members to share their favorite holiday memories or photos from past gatherings, fostering a sense of connection even when apart.
Virtual reunions allow families to stay connected and create new memories together, even when travel or distance keeps you apart.
10. Holiday Lights Tour
This is one of my favorites. One of the simplest yet most magical holiday traditions is admiring the festive lights that adorn houses and streets. Organize a holiday lights tour with your family to enjoy the sparkling displays in your neighborhood or town.
How to Plan:
Map out a route: Research the best local spots for holiday lights, and plan a driving or walking route.
Bring snacks: Pack thermoses of hot chocolate and holiday cookies to enjoy as you go.
Vote for your favorites: Turn it into a fun competition by having each family member vote for their favorite display at the end of the tour.