Ready to try something new this season?
Whether you have a day off or a week, hopefully you’ll have some extra time on your hands.
What should you do with that time? Here are 5 great ideas!
Who knows? You just might discover a new holiday tradition for you and your family. And it all starts here…
1. Build a new house.
Tired of gingerbread houses? Don’t get me wrong – I think those are fun. But maybe you’re tired of brown walls that never want to stand up straight and candy packets that never have enough gumdrops.
Or maybe you just want to try something different. How about building an igloo instead?
This is fun and simple (and, in my opinion, tastier than a gingerbread house).
If you search for “how to build an igloo,” you’ll get hundreds of results from dozens of crafters. There are probably 483 different ways to make one. Some methods work better than others. (Some turn into epic disasters where no Eskimo would ever set foot.)
Here’s one that works.
Marshmallow Igloo
What you’ll need:
- Small Styrofoam bowl
- Large Styrofoam plate
- Empty toilet paper roll
- Bag of mini marshmallows
- 1 small can of white icing
- Tool to brush icing onto the igloo
- Scissors
How to build your igloo:
Here’s a video – BUT…I recommend using icing instead of glue. It’s easier – and edible!
And here are written step-by-step instructions.
BONUS step: To add some festive flair, use mini candy canes to decorate your igloo. Add some at the entrance as columns or as part of your archway. Or stick them into large marshmallows and create a fence around your igloo.
Here’s how mine turned out:
2. Play a new card game.
Tired of Uno, Hearts, and War? Here’s a simple, fun game that works great for 4-10 players. (So it’s a good choice for family gatherings!)
Clear the Deck
The premise: Be the first person to get rid of all your cards. Players take turns playing cards into the middle of the table. You have to play the same number or lower than the last person, or you get stuck with the whole pile!
But…there are a couple of twists! There are special plays that “clear the deck” (clear away the pile in the middle) so you don’t get stuck with them. And you’re also delt four mystery cards that you aren’t allowed to look at, so they’re a surprise when you play them!
Very easy to learn and a lot of fun for such a simple game.
Here’s the full rule sheet.
3. Enjoy a new dessert.
I realize there’s no shortage of desserts during the holidays, but if you like chocolate and peanut butter, this sweet treat can’t be beat. They taste like a cross between homemade Reese’s peanut butter cups and peanut butter fudge. Wow!
I started helping make these when I was 5 and have had them every Christmas since. And one of the best things? There’s no actual baking involved, so it’s really hard to mess them up!
Yummy Peanut Butter Squares
Ingredients:
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter (one 16-18 oz jar)
- 1 cup margarine – room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 lb sifted powdered sugar (3 cups before sifted)
- 1/3 lb (1 1/3 cup) graham cracker crumbs
- 12 oz. milk chocolate chips
- 4 Tbs shortening
Mix the peanut butter, margarine, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the sifted powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs a little at a time and mix well each time. You will probably have to get your hands in it by the end – it gets very thick!
Pat mixture firmly into an ungreased 9×13 pan.
Melt chocolate chips and shortening together in a small saucepan. Keep stirring until smooth.
Pour the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter dough. Smooth it out evenly.
Chill until the chocolate is set. Cut into squares and serve.
For best results, keep cut squares refrigerated.
Tip: This makes a big batch, so there are plenty if you want to give some away. You could divide the batch into small tins to make several delicious Christmas gifts!
4. Read a new book.
How about a fun story time with the kids or a great read for yourself?
Goodbye South Pole, hello adventure!
What silly, salty creatures will Patch meet as he travels north?
This picture book features fun sound words that make the story come to life. Whee!
How many dinosaurs are hiding behind that door?
Filled with rhyming and counting that engages little readers.
A page-turner that keeps them giggling!
This one might help with your New Year’s resolutions!
What do healthy adult friendships look like?
This personal map guides you on the winding road of friendship.
Bonus: Friendship quiz reveals which type of friend you are.
5. Try a new arrangement.
Putting up Christmas decorations can be a lot of work. But at least you can look forward to enjoying pretty, festive surroundings for the season.
After the new year, taking them all down and putting them away is…less fun. What you have to look forward to at that point is two months of cold, dark days – with no more pretty lights.
So…how about adding a little excitement to help with the post-holiday blahs? Your house is probably in chaos anyway because you had to move the couch, the end table, and Fluffy’s pet bed to make room for the tree.
While everything is already out of whack, consider making a plan to rearrange the furniture when you take down your decorations. Do something new with your space. Give yourself a new perspective when you sit in your favorite recliner. Bring more light into the room by moving the couch away from the windows. Create a reading nook or space for your favorite hobby.
You can look forward to making this change after all the tinsel and holly are gone. And you can start the new year with what feels like a new home!
Enjoy!
I’d love to hear from you!
Share pics of your igloo creations and furniture rearrangements. Give feedback on your peanut-butter-square tasting and book-reading experiences. And let me know if your family liked Clear the Deck!