The holiday season is upon us! It is a joyful time of the year, filled with holiday music, adorable sugar cookies, festive drinks, and so much more. However, this is also a season of jam-packed schedules, which can bring on a lot of stress. According to psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, connection with other people within our lives is one of the greatest strategies to feeling happier. After all, the holiday season is not just about gifts, it is a fantastic opportunity to spend more time with family and boost bonds with your children. However, the challenge is to find an activity that both you and your teen, or pre-teen will enjoy. As two teens, aged 16 and 14, we are sharing activities that are certain to bring both enjoyment and connection for all ages this holiday season. 

1. Support Local

Head out to a holiday market!  Listen to caroling, enjoy hot cocoa, roasted chestnuts, or other seasonal treats. Take photos together with beautifully decorated Christmas trees, as well as pick up a gift or two for loved ones, and feel good in supporting local vendors.  Chat with your child about current events in both your lives, and what you are looking forward to in the coming year. 

This is an enjoyable event, as it allows both you and your teen an opportunity to catch up and form new memories. 

2. Cook or Bake

Traditions are an important part of the holiday season.  Recall a traditional holiday dish from your childhood or culture.  Maybe it is a special dish passed down through generations, or a delicious sugar cookie recipe. Find the joy in creating a tasty treat together with your child, and teach them this recipe! Then, enjoy the fruit of your labor (who doesn’t love good food)! This time of year is about sharing; perhaps pack up a small amount of your culinary delight and drop it off for your neighbors.  Giving to others brings a small bit of happiness to the person who receives your delicious dish, as well as to you and your child.  Seeing our own actions bringing happiness grants us a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction. 

3. Take Downtime

Unplug together with a game!  Put all phones away, and take some time to relax during this busy time of year.  Enjoy a board game, card game, or one of our personal favorites - Mission: Small Bits of Happiness. Designed by the both of us, Mission: Small Bits of Happiness features 100 unique and fun activities to do to feel happier daily, allowing you and your child to bond together and learn what brings happiness.

 

4. Build A Care Kit

Since helping others boosts feelings of purpose and satisfaction, create a care kit.  With a budget of $10-15, (or whatever you decide) head to a local grocery store and compile a small care kit of necessities.  These can include toothpaste, a travel toothbrush, a bar of chocolate, and chapstick.  Bring one (or a few!) of these care kits to a shelter and feel good by supporting other people and building a charitable tradition with your child. 

Written By Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut