As the holiday season approaches, many parents find themselves overwhelmed with the idea of gifting more “things” that often just add to the clutter at home. This year, why not consider the gift of family experiences – memories that will last longer than any physical object.
According to Beverly Anderson, Executive Director of Ebenezer Child Care Centers with locations in Downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and Wauwatosa/West Allis, “In today’s world where we are so busy, giving the gift of experiences is a really precious thing to consider.”
Fitness Fun
Health and wellness experiences can bring the family together while encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
Anderson says, “A family membership to the YMCA or another area health club where you can go swimming or play basketball or racquetball together is a great idea. Another fun idea is to purchase downhill skiing lift tickets, or buy snowshoes that you can utilize in our county and state parks. Finally, there are many yoga studios offering family yoga worth checking out as well.”
Vacation Adventures
There’s no better way to create lasting memories than with a family vacation. Whether you travel far away or stay closer to home, the time away together is priceless.
Anderson suggests watching Groupon for travel specials and using a vacation as an opportunity for your children to learn new things.
“There are so many great museums, historical venues and attractions aimed at helping children explore the world around them just waiting to be visited. Pick a destination to visit and decide together what to do.”
Cooking Together
Cooking is a hands-on, practical skill that children can learn while having fun with their families. You can do this by purchasing children’s cooking classes, special kitchen tools, or children’s cookbooks that allow your children to explore their culinary creativity.
Anderson also suggests purchasing meal kits or assembling your own kits to create special cooking sessions. For example, you could purchase all the fixings for healthy snacks and then have a time where you make ants on a log (celery, peanut butter and raisins) together. Or you could purchase pancake molds, pancake mix, and syrup to have a quality Saturday morning baking session for breakfast.
“The idea is to get children comfortable in the kitchen while having fun together.”
Game Night Traditions
Anderson suggests you start an ongoing tradition of game nights as a wonderful way to bring everyone together.
“Consider starting the night with a special dinner like making your own pizzas, and then select some games to play or a puzzle to complete. The quality time you spend together far outweighs getting clutter all over your house with more things this holiday season.”
Ebenezer Child Care Centers is a not-for-profit, locally based agency committed to providing early childhood programs from the heart. The agency prides itself on being different from other child care providers in that it offers a home-like atmosphere; individualized, nurturing care; and a structured curriculum that is virtues-based for every child’s developmental stage.
Every Ebenezer Child Care Center focuses on all aspects of a child’s development: cognitive, physical, emotional, and social. In addition to providing quality care, the agency also offers other educational programming all aimed at helping parents. The agency has locations in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and West Allis/Wauwatosa. The agency’s main office is located at 1138 South 108th Street, West Allis. For more information, please call the agency at 414-643-5070.
