Holiday Activities

Chances are good that you are hosting the whole clan this holiday season. But how do you make your holiday table festive without making it overly fussy (this is, after all, not your mother’s motherhood)? You will probably need to accommodate big kids and small kids—with big and small temperaments to boot. The key is to create a table that includes the little ones yet also nods to your desire for something special.

1. Think inside the box. Mine the toy bin (or the sewing kit or the toolbox) for items that can be used to decorate the table. Ribbons and twine can dress up plain vases, and classic or wooden toys can make an unexpected, playful centerpiece on a table. Have your child make a house out of Lincoln Logs for Thanksgiving, or try wind-up toys for Christmas. And if you are really scrambling for time, just put the craft-paper reindeer your preschooler brought home from school and under a cloche or a hurricane (a large plain vase turned upside-down would also work).
2. Employ your pint-size artists. Even the youngest kid’s crayon scribble is charming. Have kids write and/or decorate the name cards to add a bit of whimsy to the table—while place cards provide a sense of occasion to a table, they can often be a bit formal when you have a mixed crowd. Bonus: This project will not only make kids feel useful, but will also keep them occupied for a good 10 minutes.
3. Go natural. If you live in an area where there are trees, make a project of gathering small sculptural branches and pine cones with your kids. Spray-paint an edited selection of them in pure winter white, and use the results to create organic centerpieces or mantle decorations.
4. Mine the kitchen cupboards. Use different-size drinking glasses and vases to make multiple low flower arrangements on the table and around the house. (Even hot pink carnations look good when they are cut way down.) Stacked cake plates can be used to display candles and any decorations, like pine cones (see #3) and even stray tree ornaments.
5. Create a temporary gallery. String up twine, ribbon, or even Christmas lights across the mantle or any free wall, and use clothespins to hold holiday cards, photos, drawings, and even lightweight ornaments or candy canes.