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Don't be alone this Christmas - Fun festive ideas for the family

8 December 2008

There is no time of the year quite like Christmas to make a person feel truly alone. While many families around the world will gather in festive cheer to drink and eat and open their Christmas gifts, there will be many who are left out in the cold. Christmas is not just about exchanging presents, eating too much and watching the usual fodder on television – it is, ultimately, an opportunity to gather as a family and enjoy each other's company.

Ok, so family life is rarely that straightforward; or enjoyable. In fact, families are often completely at a loss as to how to fill the void that exists beyond opening Christmas gifts and seeing in the New Year. Furthermore, relatives existing outside of the main family circle can often suffer from the abandonment that arises during this time of year. In short, whether families are together or apart, they are so very often alone and the holiday period can be seen as something of a tiresome hurdle that must be negotiated before normal life resumes. It does not need to be like this.

When the holidays start – always earlier than expected – they can often be an overwhelming experience. The kids are off school, Christmas gifts need to be purchased (in itself something of a military operation), decorations are still boxed up in the attic and work is demanding more of you each day in the build up to your hard-fought time off (as if you owe the company your apology). In most cases, Christmas is pulled off successfully despite being subject to the usual problems – the drunk and boisterous uncle Bob passing out in the stuffing, the under-cooked Turkey, the inevitable family argument, wrongly labelled Christmas gifts, embarrassing Christmas gifts or the fallout from Grandpa Stingy's "no Christmas gifts for adults" policy! Do not worry – these problems are completely out of your hands. However, there is plenty that can be done to fill that dreary period after Boxing Day when despair can turn rapidly into depression (and then back to drinking).

For starters, it is suggested that inviting fringe family members to join in the Christmas fun should be made on a time-limited basis. Make visits short and sweet – do not exclude the lonely but do not make them feel as if their stay has outlived their welcome. Also, ensure that Christmas gifts will not be discarded or forgotten or broken just hours after opening – focus more on their quality and what it means to the recipient.

Another great tip is to have lots of in-home family entertainment on hand. Do not be content to sit and watch Roger Moore wax cheese on the Bond genre over and over again. Stock up on tried and tested family board games but also consider buying less mainstream gifts, such as a juggling gift set, mystery 'whodunit' set or the retro bedlam cube puzzle (which would also make for an excellent Christmas gift in its own right). Movie quiz nights, Christmas games, casino and poker nights – there really is no end to organised family fun on a budget. So, when the winter drizzle seems unstoppable and the Christmas spirit is just about all dried up, do not lose all hope… gather the family and get out the games!

Additional fun can be acquired through Christmas gifts that aim to pull the family together and get them out of the house. Activities such as going to the cinema are traditionally family-oriented and provide great scope for escaping the more boring side of Christmas. So, fork out for a family ticket, grab the drinks and popcorn and enjoy your big screen adventure – it does more than kill a few hours, especially considering how long trailers tend to last!

But why stop at the cinema? Christmas gifts of everyday activities are somehow inherently festive. How about a family bowling trip? These usually last around an hour and offer a great deal of fun for all ages. Flexed bowling arms will surely release much of that festive frustration too; although dads should restrain their egos and not expect to bowl strike after strike on the back of several days of roast dinner, chocolate and alcohol.

While the aforementioned Christmas gifts will provide plenty of fun and enjoyment, it is worth remembering that Christmas is the most special time of year for children. If young kids are present, invite the grandparents over and get the fun started. Sometimes the simplest activities provide the most joy – colouring, card making, jigsaw puzzling and baking tasty chocolate treats in the image of their favourite festive characters (watch out, Santa and Rudolph!).

Failing all this, well, there is always carol singing...



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