3 simple tips for a calm, conscientious and connected Christmas as a family

Christmas is a great time for spending time outdoors, supporting your local community, and play.

As parents of little ones, our minds are often a bit overstimulated this time of year. Gifts, Christmas plans, traveling, anticipating family dynamics over the holidays. I know how it is. I offer here a few tips on how to keep your Christmas break ahead as smooth and nourishing as possible.

1.        Spend as much time as possible outdoors. We all feel calmer and happier when outside. Take a family beach walk or go for a long wander in the forest with hot cocoa in tow. When I was a child, our Christmas tradition, after opening gifts in the morning, was to go on a 4-5 hour family walk in the nearby woods. It was magical, and we all returned with smiles on our faces, ready to cozy up to the fire for the rest of the evening.

2.        Shop local, independent, and handmade. This is a great time of year to reflect on your values and support what you want to see more of in the world. Get your Christmas gifts, and even food, from local businesses and markets. This keeps your community strong by supporting local businesses and local people. Shopping locally is also better for the environment. If you live near Lagos and have small children, check out the independent, family-owned shops Até a Lua, Obrigada Anita and of course Arco Preloved for games, toys and books.

3.        Play games that bring generations together. The best memories come from play and togetherness, so bring out the card games and family traditions that allow everyone to get involved - from the grandparents to the little ones. I love classic games like Uno, Pictionary, Jenka and even simple card games like memory.

Wishing you and your family a sweet, calm and joyful Christmas holiday ahead.

Kate