Relax, don't do it

With only a couple of weeks until that most festive of holidays, many of us have set ourselves at a frantic pace.

There's our quest to find the perfect gifts for loved ones, our determination to make sweets and desserts that taste as good as last year's treats, our pursuit in finding the perfect tree (whether it's real or artificial), and above all, our quest to make it the most memorable Christmas of all.

But when we actually think about it, what's the use of perfectly wrapped presents, the best tasting shortbread or the most perfectly decorated tree if we don't share these things with others?

And indeed, there's an alternative to this entire holiday hubbub. Christmas can also mean taking time to slow down, forgetting (at least temporarily) our worries and troubles, and simply enjoying the company of family and friends. Certainly there's no better gift than that.

So, let's get together. Have a time. Share a few laughs. Reminisce about days gone by or make some new memories. Sounds easy enough, right?

Well, in case the idea of taking a more relaxed approach to the holiday season sounds a bit daunting, ABC Canada Literacy Foundation recently put out a list of activities that encourage quality time spent with family and friends (not to mention promote family literacy skills).

Here are a few highlights:

Many classic holiday stories have been adapted into movies. First read these stories with your family and then watch the movie version;

Get family and friends together and play a board game - and make it a new weekly tradition;

Ask your family to help write out holiday card greetings and addresses;

Get out the karaoke machine to sing Christmas carols or other winter-themed songs. The foundation says singing encourages learning patterns of words, rhymes and rhythms, and connects language skills;

This is the Georgian's favourite idea - Take the time to write a letter, or even an email, to a loved one. Have each family member contribute at least one paragraph on something memorable from the past year;

On cold or stormy days, snuggle up with a good Christmas book and a cup of hot chocolate;

Baking holiday treats is a great way to get the whole family involved in a fun activity. It also helps with reading, comprehension and math skills.

None of these ideas seem that difficult or all consuming, do they? Why not try one or more idea and make this holiday season something a bit more special? Surely a family activity like one of those listed above would be more memorable than driving around a mall parking lot looking for a place to park.