Turn the day after Thanksgiving into time for big family fun

posted 11:50 PM 11/21
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Tired of the crowds, traffic and hoopla of Black Friday? Why not turn it into Family Friday instead?

I read that idea on a blog about Thanksgiving traditions recently, and fell in love with it.

What a perfect day to spend time with your children, and do all of the things that you never have time for during the week or weekend. Most schools, government offices and nonretail workplaces are closed the day after Thanksgiving anyway, so it’s like a free day. Plus, you’ll probably save some money avoiding all of those last-minute “door buster” bargains.

Here are some ideas to help you make the most of Family Friday.

Wear pajamas: Pajama Day continues to be one of the most popular events at my children’s schools. Kids love the silliness of it; grownups love the comfort of it.

If you’re staying home, why not relax all day in a cozy pair of pajamas, a robe and some slippers?

Also, my kids love to surprise me with breakfast in bed. Could I be brave enough to return the favor? Um, probably not until they’re a little older. But I’d definitely be up for inviting grandparents to wear their pajamas for brunch, or serving waffles and other yummy breakfast foods at dinnertime.

Get your game on: From Candyland and Cootie to Mancala and Monopoly, board games are hot right now. Indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts are popular, too, and there are several Web sites that feature lists (sometimes even with pictures) for families to use to create their own “Amazing Race” type of game.

Or if your kids prefer video games, why not host a family video game tournament? The top prize could be a year’s worth of bragging rights.

Have fun in the kitchen: If you’re ready for some holiday treats, Family Day could be a great time to whip up some sugar cookies or peanut butter fudge.

My talents are fairly limited in the kitchen, but I’ve managed to carry on my grandma’s tradition of making chocolate-dipped pretzels and cherries during the holidays. My kids have a blast “helping” me make the candy, although they usually end up covered in more chocolate than the treats.

Also in the spirit of creating new traditions, consider skipping the turkey/mashed potato/gravy sandwiches (just for the day) and letting your kids design the lunch and dinner menus.

Make crafts: When my nephews were little, my sister-in-law always helped them make ornaments for Christmas presents. Today, nearly a decade later, they are some of my most treasured Christmas items because they bring back happy memories.

Every year, my kids and I spend a day with grandma decorating a gingerbread house. It’s become a wonderful tradition.

You can find gingerbread house kits at most grocery stores and at craft stores.

For more holiday craft ideas, go to familyfun.go.com/crafts/.

Give back: The day after Thanksgiving is a great time to gather up all of those boxes of instant stuffing that you bought for back-up, and the cans of pie filling that you didn’t use because you stopped at the bakery instead, and put together a donation for the food bank. If you and your kids go door-to-door around your neighborhood with a donation box in a wagon, your family will probably be able to gather even more food for folks in need.

The Thurston County Food Bank is at 220 Thurston St. N.E., Olympia. It will be closed on Friday, but opens up the following Monday. Call 360-352-8597 for donation times and volunteer information.

Enjoy the great outdoors: Get some fresh air and exercise with a family bike, ski or sled trip. White Pass, Crystal Mountain and Mount Baker ski resorts opened this month, but keep in mind that the day after Thanksgiving is usually fairly busy on the slopes (when we’re lucky enough to have snow).

Camp out: This is a great time of the year to break out the sleeping bags and flashlights to go camping – in the living room, of course, with the comfort of a gas fireplace and indoor plumbing.

If you have a patio fireplace, you could bundle up the kids and enjoy a hot dog and marshmallow roast, too.

Former Olympian reporter Lisa Pemberton is busier than ever with her three children. She can be reached at lisapemberton@rocketmail.com.

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