Photo Credit from Flickr by BrianMorley
Not only is it Winter but it’s the holiday season and most of the season families end up bundled up inside watching TV, or with each family member in the house doing their own thing from playing video games to cooking, using the computer etc. How about cutting the use of your electricity this holiday season by adapting some fun family activities the whole family can enjoy whilst saving some green by being green!
Neighborhood decorations. Almost every family I know with children at some point over the holiday season gets into the car and drives around the neighborhood looking at all the holiday decorations and lights. Instead of gas guzzling why not head out on foot! Save on the price of gas, wear and tear on the vehicle and saves the planet too! Wrap up warm in coats, gloves and scarves, give the kids some flashlights (rechargeable naturally) and head out to see the neighborhood. Not only will you get your exercise in before the big turkey dinner, but you may even meet some new neighbors and friends too! You can’t do that in a car.
Carol Singing. Love them or loathe them why not get festive and join a carol singing group. Whether at a local mall, or door to door, it’s a fun activity to do with family and friends. Remember by doing activities that are out of your house you get to save money on heating (by lowering your thermostat temperature or turning the heating off) but you also reduce your global footprint!
Family games night. There are a few ways to approach this one, you can stay home as a family and have your own little private games night, or you can host or be hosted with another family. Whether you play Bunco, Blackjack or Cluedo, games night is always a great way to reconnect as a family. If you invite friends, why not just invite the children, then the parents can use the time for last minute gift shopping or a night alone for a couple’s dinner date. That is a gift in of itself!
Charity work. Many charities suffer around the holidays. People have less time and even less money, so instead of staying home, teach your children the value of giving by serving at a local soup kitchen or something similar. Again by being out the house you can turn your heating down, or off and save energy! Also you get to be charitable which is the true the spirit of the season.
Church. Many churches run activity programs over the holiday season. Whether you act in nativity plays, or help with the services, decorate the church or help coordinate the sponsoring of the homeless and less fortunate this holiday season there are lots of voluntary positions that need filling at your local church. If you don’t belong to a local church, check out similar programs run by Boy/Girl Scout groups or local shelters.
There is much more to do this holiday than sit at home, using energy. Why not get out in your neighborhood and expend energy instead?
