An ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with my family. I give families the tools to experience the joys of travelling, no matter your budget. Through quick, practical solutions. Join me if you'd like to make more memories confidently travelling with your kids, without straining your finances, going into debt, or feeling like you'd have to sell off a kidney to fund your next vacation.
🎄Get in the Festive Spirit - Week Two
Hey Reader,
Happy Monday!
Do you do Elf on the Shelf? So far I've avoided it, but my youngest put this secret note under an elf doll she made asking Santa if he can make her elf come alive. Broke my heart a little.... So now I am planning on doing it this year. As she's 10 I figure this may be one of the last years for the Santa is real magic.
If you have any cool Elf on the Shelf ideas for a newbie over here, send them my way.
To get you in a festive mood, I'm putting together a weekly list of fun activity suggestions over the next few weeks you can do with your family. But only if you're in the mood, and no pressure! It's meant as something fun to do, not to add to your ever growing to do list.
Week Two
❄️ Get outside!
Don't let a little cool weather prevent getting out in nature, whether you have snow or not.
I guarantee your winter is likely shorter than ours here in Yellowknife, NT Canada. Our family has 7 months of snow / winter so we are always looking for ways to enjoy the great, freeze-your-face-outdoors. Without actually having our face freeze in -30°C.
Here are a few fun winter family ideas to get you in the mood:
- Winter Walk - look to see what animals / birds are still around
- Got snow? Build a snow family, have a snowball fight, make snow art with a spray bottle filled with water & food coloring, go sledding, take a trip to a ski hill & go skiing or tubing.
- Go on a mini road trip to a local, State or National Park (don't forget the snacks) and take a winter hike, or go exploring.
- Do a family Scavenger Hunt outdoors
FREEBIE 4 YOU:
I've made these cute FREE Family Holiday Scavenger Hunt printables to help get you started super quick. Just print out and off you go!
SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO:
My daughter loves listening to podcasts as she play or crafts. . You can find these on most podcast apps like spotify, apple etc.
Here are a few of our favorite kids podcasts to get you through the season
- WOW in the World - STEAM and language arts, all geared toward kids in grades K-5.
- Smash Boom Best - Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best. We also love their Brains On Podcast. (Elementary Grades)
- Story Pirates - takes stories kids submit, and turns them into hilarious songs and sketch comedy (Elementary Grades)
Looking for older ages - Here's a great article on the 50 Best Podcasts for kids up to teens by teachers.
They're also great for the car, or road trips as you travel around this year.
WHAT TO WATCH:
A Christmas classic.... and the perfect thing to watch if you need a laugh, have a partner obsessed with Christmas decorating, or the inlaws are driving you to drink too many spiked eggnogs.
Why it's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation of course. Not for the little kids (80's was a different time y'all).
Your irreverent Christmas movie quotes of the week courtesy of said movie:
- "Honey, do you honestly think I would check thousands of tiny little lights if I didn’t make sure the extension cord was plugged in?"
- " Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
- "Dad, didn’t they invent Christmas tree lots so people wouldn’t have to drive all the way out to no where and waste and entire Saturday?"
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
Each year someone decorates a section of the pathway at our local Niven Lake in town.
We always enjoy seeing what they put up during the holiday season.
Have a cool, funny or epic Christmas photo to share, I'd love to see it!
Here's to an unforgettable month, done your way,
P.S. Want to simplify your holidays? Grab this useful & sweet Simplify Your Holiday Planner to quickly & easily keep track of ALL THE THINGS! (+ only $7 this week - no code needed).
Or these fun Christmas coloring placemats (keep the kids entertained so you actually eat your meals hot). Print out as many as you need.
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Packed for Life | Family Travel
Donna Garrison
An ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with my family. I give families the tools to experience the joys of travelling, no matter your budget. Through quick, practical solutions. Join me if you'd like to make more memories confidently travelling with your kids, without straining your finances, going into debt, or feeling like you'd have to sell off a kidney to fund your next vacation.
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