(MCT) — The holidays are here again, which means another year of the family congregating from far and wide to … sit in front of the TV for football and Disney movies? Sounds like a lot of effort for a small payoff.
At least Denver-based family consultant Julie Buck thinks so. Buck, who specializes in communication within the home, acknowledged there is plenty of stress around the holidays but said a little planning can maximize that family time.
"It does take some forethought, but I think it's well worth the extra effort," she said. "The holidays are all about bonding, learning about each other and spending quality time."
With Buck's guidance, we assembled tips to get the most out of the inevitable family time this holiday season. Compromise. For instance, if some want to watch football but others don't want it to dominate the room, leave the game on, but turn down the sound. Fire up some music. The football fans will get their fix, but others can enjoy too, while playing games or just chatting. "A high level of compromise and flexibility is necessary," Buck said. "With the older (children) in the family, especially, you might meet some resistance on certain things."
2. Games. Whether board games, word games or puzzles, they stimulate interaction. Better still, make up your own games. One colleague's niece invented a competency test to judge how adept the adults were with the remote control, grading them on a scale of 1 to 4. Bottom line: Have fun with it. "Things that involve a broad age range are a lot more fun," Buck said. "Anything that is fun and funny and involves the group."
3. Go outside … together. Don't use the outdoors to banish the kids and get some quiet. Build time into the day to take a walk together, play football, build a snowman.
4. Cook together. Getting the meal on the table is often a harried mission, but getting going early enough can make it fun. Buck suggests getting kids involved to help to stir, pour and mix. "You can teach a whole bunch of skills from math to language to family tradition," she said.
5. Get creative. Does someone play guitar? Do an art project. Sing songs. Or spend half the day volunteering as a family.
6. Don't take it for granted. You never know what the next year will bring. So enjoy it.
(c) 2009, Chicago Tribune.