Christmas is just around the corner, and the holiday season has brought with it various traditions that have become part of everyone’s and every family’s life. Some families spend Advent gathered around the table, cooking and enjoying dinner together, while others enjoy hiking and sledding together in the fresh air.
For many families, Christmas meals take center stage during the holidays, but Christmas traditions don’t always have to be about food. Below, we offer a few ideas for things you could do with your family or friends during the holiday season.
Instead of an Advent calendar or candy, put a game or a healthy snack in your stocking
Every December morning doesn’t necessarily have to start with chocolate or candy. After all, that’s not usually the case the rest of the year. Stores offer a variety of healthy alternatives, and when December mornings are more varied, they’re also more exciting.
You can also put an apple or a carrot in the stocking along with a little note introducing your child to the vitamins found in that fruit. You can also surprise children with arts-and-crafts supplies, stickers, or other small gifts that won’t create a habit of having only something sweet as their first meal of the day.
Add a Touch of Christmas to Your Morning Porridge
A healthy and nutritious bowl of porridge takes on a whole new charm when you add a touch of Christmas spirit to it. For you, might that be a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, or finely crushed gingerbread—and perhaps a few raisins? Breakfast should be nutritious and healthy, and with these small additions, you can add some variety to your daily routine.
Morning Exercise with the Family
Why not start your day during the holidays with some morning exercises that the whole family can do together? With Christmas carols playing in the background, a few squats, stretches, and twists—it’ll get your blood flowing and your mind alert. Quality time + exercise—what could be better? :)
Time to Break Out the Snow Shovels
When nature blesses us with beautiful white snow—which always gives December and winter a special feel—we inevitably have to put in a little effort to get out the door or dig our car out from under a layer of snow. Next time, get the whole family involved in shoveling the snow. It’s a special way to be outdoors, breathe in the fresh air, and if shoveling snow turns into a little romp in the snowdrifts or a snowball fight, it’s especially nice to enjoy a warm cup of tea indoors afterward with rosy cheeks.
White Hours Spent Outdoors
While we definitely spend much more time outdoors in the summer, in the winter many of us tend to hide away within the comfort of our own four walls. During the week, our daylight hours may be spent at school or work, but the weekend offers the perfect opportunity to try something different.
Estonia has a variety of hiking and skiing trails, sledding hills, and wooded areas where everyone can find something to their liking. The weekend is the perfect time to catch up with friends or family while taking a walk, show a little competitive spirit while skiing, or feel like a kid again by having a snowball fight. Why not try winter swimming, too? Read more about it in our article on winter swimming.
End the evening with some light stretching and a moment of calm
During the Christmas rush, our lives can be a little more stressful than usual. After all, we tend to worry about gifts, plan holiday gatherings, and prepare the Christmas dinner table. To help you sleep better at night, it’s a good idea to do a little stretching and exercise before going to bed.
On the FitQ platform, you’ll find a variety of stretching workouts; for example, you could try this yoga-based stretching workout.
What are your family’s current Christmas traditions, and what other exciting things could you do together? We hope you found some inspiration in this article and will share it on FitQ’s on Instagram and on our Facebook page.
