While you are away from home you may be having the time of your life but your family and you are probably suffering withdraw from each other. Here are some ways to capitlize on the time that you get together.
Bake Cookies Together
Your mom will love to have some mother daughter bonding time. Make some holiday cookies together. Make cookies for neighbors or relatives and, of course, your friends back at college! This will give you a good excuse for her to fill you in on all the relatives and you can fill her in on all the friends you made. She’ll love to hear about all the new friends you’re making and she will no doubt want to talk to you about all that’s going on at home.
Watch Holiday Movies
We all have those traditional movies and TV shows that we have watched every holiday season with family. It may be the Grinch who stole Christmas, It’s a wonderful life, Charlie Brown, or even Elf. A lot of our favorites are replayed on cable every year and lots of stations broadcast seasonal specials full of holiday programs like “ABC family’s 25 Days of Christmas” or “Fa La La La Lifetime”. Take advantage of these and have one (or various) family movie nights.
Sit Around the Fire
Sit around the fireplace, or have a bonfire if you can, and just talk with your family. They are bound to have lots of questions for you about your experiences and this is the best setting to address them, maybe roast some marshmallows, and just enjoy each other in a laid back and stress free setting. If the questions end, pull out the games and have a family game night!
Take Your Parents Out
Surprise your parents by taking them out to dinner (or prepare a special dinner at home), a movie, an ice-skating trip, or anything else, on you. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something expensive, just a surprise adventure that you plan and involves quality time with them. Just let them know how much you appreciate and care for them. They will love to be able to spend quality time with you and love that you are willing to pay them back, with this kind gesture, for all the times they took you out.
Don’t Spend All Of Your Time With Your Friends
I know that you will want to spend lots of time with your friends back home but remember it is probably really hard on your family to not see you all the time. I know that it really hurts my mom when my brother spends all his time home with other people. Of course you should spend time with friends, but don’t forget to save LOTS of quality time for your family. They are your only family, they deserve to be your first priority.
Go Into Town
Have your family go to the nearest big city (for NOVA residents this may be DC) and explore all that it has to offer. Just have a family day and try out new restaurants, museums, sight see, and TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES. This should be a day just to have fun and make memoires with your family. You’ll really appreciate all those pictures back in your college home to show your friends and to cherish when you miss your family.
Show Them The Love
This is most important. Make sure to give lots of hugs and kisses and make it clear how much you love your family. Let them know how lucky you feel to have them in your lives.