Rocket Raccoon and a List of 10 Family {To Do} Ideas during Christmas/Winter Break

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I've been thinking a lot lately about what we fill our time with during the holiday season and what we actually WANT to fill our time with. I think we all get busy and wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the season, but we all WANT more time to just simplify and enjoy being with our families at this time of year. As Rocket Raccoon said in Guardians of the Galaxy, "I'm only interested in the simple things...like how much is this going to hurt!" (I promise that spending time as a family will NOT hurt...at least I hope not! haha) 

As I have been thinking about our own family, I decided that I want to plan some fun during my kids' break from school this winter! We have traditions that we do every year, and of course, I love those and want to keep those up, but I want to do more this year! I also wanted to come up with a list of things that would help keep my children occupied during their time off from school. (Trying to avoid hearing those ugly two words "I'm bored." hahaha)

So, here's a list of ideas to do as a family and to keep your kids occupied this season and to have a bit of fun as a family!

Christmas/Winter Break Ideas to do as a Family:

1. Family Movie Night 

(or even a Movie Marathon day!)

 I don't know about you, but my kids would be in front of a screen almost non-stop if I didn't intervene with limited time allowed...and a timer! haha So watching a movie as a family is great, because everyone is happy! We spend time together, the kids get a little screen time, and I get to put my feet up...at least for a minute or two. haha

We found a great and highly recommended (from family and friends) family movie at our local, go to place, Wal-mart. Guardians of the Galaxy is the vote at our house to watch! 

We've been so excited for it's release date on the 9th of this month!

PLUS!...Walmart has a $5 gift card offer when you purchase a Groot, Drax or Rocket Raccoon figure for Disney Infinity 2.0. From 12/7 - 12/13, when you buy one of these Disney Infinity 2.0 figures, the cashier should be prompted to give a $5 Walmart gift card instantly. You can't get better than money off! Perfect time to pick some of these fun toys up for some (hint hint) Christmas presents. 

The DVD also features: Exclusive Character O-sleeve and exclusive music zinepack and a 64 page magazine with cast and crew interviews, exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and trivia PLUS a custom “cassette" laptop decal. (Now, the real question is, do your kids even know what a "cassette" is?!)

Now, to make this family movie night an even bigger hit, we get to #2 on our Christmas/Winter Break Ideas to do as a Family.

2. Make wassail and some Peppermint Rice Crispie treats
Original recipe for treats:
3 T butter
1 pkg (or 4 cups) Peppermint mini marshmallows
6 cups crispy rice cereal
candy cane bits

Melt butter on stovetop on med-low, then add marshmallows and melt with butter. Stir constantly. Take off heat and add dry cereal. Stir and put in buttered 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with candy cane chips. (Optional, you can also include candy cane bits in with the dry cereal when mixing together.) 
Cool, and cut with cookie cutters. Drizzle melted chocolate on top. 
Serve with wassail. Recipe for wassail here.

3. Play board games. 

A couple of our family's favorites are: Pit, Settlers of Catan, Memory, a variation of UNO that we call Low Card UNO, SET, Spot it, Scrabble, and Break the Ice

4. Make sugar and/or gingerbread cookies 

5. Deliver cookies to friends and family (Sing carols as well if you want!)

6. Decorate a gingerbread house

(I love seeing the interactions in candid family photos. Love my daughter laughing here at how knows what? lol)

7. Read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever book together

8. If you live in warm(er) weather locations, camp in the backyard and have smores. If you live in cold(er) area locations, play in the snow together.

9. Write letters to grandparents and others and/or write thank you notes. 

(Who does those anymore?! Not many, but we all still appreciate them!)

10. Create a new tradition to do every year with your family. 

One tradition that our family does is that most years, we choose one family that we like to provide little gifts with the 12 days leading up to Christmas. It's so much fun and puts even the most grumpy of my kids' faces into a smile! And I promise Rocket Raccoon, it's not going to hurt! haha In fact, Guardians of the Galaxy and Rocket Raccoon would be a perfect gift to give away as one of the 12 Days of Christmas gifts! In fact, along with the DVD of Guardians of the Galaxy, you could also include something to go with all ten of the above items/to-do ideas above as the 12 gifts (ingredients, book(s), some gloves, etc...throw in another couple of favorites of ornaments and a Christmas card, and you have yourself a new tradition!)

There you have it! That's what we will be doing this Christmas break when my kids are home from school. And hopefully...after all of that time together, we will be feeling like Drax, from Guardians of the Galaxy, when he says this, "I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am that you've accepted me despite my blunders. It is good to once again be among friends..." (I like movie quotes, can you tell?) 

What does your family fill their time with? Do you like family movie nights as well? I love hearing from you. Leave a comment and let us know any more ideas that you might have!