Creating healthy holiday traditions for the whole family
It’s official – we’ve entered the holiday season!
Bring on the nostalgic holiday decorations, marathon-shopping sessions, and all night baking parties, I’m ready for them. 
What I’m not ready for are the sugar comas, tighter pants, and minor guilt that comes with it. Not fun.
Unfortunately, the holiday season can sometimes be perceived as a time to throw healthy living out the window and just give in to indulgence. Everywhere we turn there’s another cookie swap, holiday party, or another slice of grandma’s famous pie that she only makes once a year staring us in the face. It’s hard to say no to spending time with your family and friends and I’m not sure I’d want to.
That’s why this year I’m striving for balance during the holidays and introducing a few fun activities to keep the family active through the holiday season.
Holiday Lights Run/ Walk:
My family has a long standing Christmas Eve tradition of loading up the family SUV and taking a mini tour of all the holiday lights in the surrounding neighborhoods. We spend about thirty minutes looping this street or that and stopping to admire the pretty lights along the way.
This year, instead of driving, I’m proposing the new tradition of a Holiday Lights Run/Walk 5k. Before Christmas dessert, we can all strap on our running sneakers, load up on silly Christmas accessories (who doesn’t love running in a glowing Rudolph nose or light up Santa hat?) and do a tour of lights on foot.
Christmas Morning Toys:
Remember what it was like to wake up on Christmas morning, rip open the packaging of your favorite toy, and immediately want to bring it outside to play with it? Well, why not keep that tradition alive as an adult?
Head to the sports section of your nearest boxed retailer and purchase one of those plastic multi-sport sets. Give it to you favorite brother/sister/ significant other/best friend on Christmas morning and challenge them to a game outside. Who could resist a mini game of family soccer?
Snowing where you are? Throw a top hat, carrot, and scarf in a box and propose the challenge of building a snowman. Or put a bow on a sled and take it to the hills. Think like a kid and just have fun!
Shopping Cardio:
Yes, shopping cardio! But, I’m not talking about the stressed-out shopping that usually occurs during the holidays. Let’s have fun with it and turn it into an active game!
Instead of finding the closest spot, park in the farthest lot and take your time walking to the mall. You lose the stress of circiling for a spot AND get in extra exercise at the same time. The same can be said for taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator/escalator, making a game of waiting in long lines, and just enjoying spending time with loved ones.
What are some of your favorite family traditions for staying active during the holidays?
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Dec 13, 2011 @ 16:10:00
We stroll and look at lights with Grandma and Grandpa. We often have a family bowling night. When we’re lucky we get to sled or make a snowman, but that doesn’t happen very often.
Eggnog Oats
Dec 14, 2011 @ 07:05:10
[...] Who says all holiday traditions should revolve around eating? This month I’m sharing tips and tricks on creating healthy holiday traditions that the whole f…! [...]
Dec 14, 2011 @ 08:54:00
I like the active gift ideas, that sounds like a lot of fun! The idea of a Christmas 5k is one I enjoy all December, I plan more runs in the dark so I can enjoy everyone’s beautiful decorations.