Alternatives to Watching TV after Christmas Dinner
Although it is very tempting to collapse in front of the television after a large meal, there are indoor and outdoor alternatives available to TV watching after Christmas dinner. A lot of what you may choose to do depends on the size and composition of your group, and the weather conditions.
Outdoor Activities
Go for a walk. This is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. You can take a stroll around the neighborhood to enjoy the crisp air and quiet under a starlit sky. You could also carpool downtown to see the holiday lights.
If you live in snow country, a snowball fight is fun for children and adults alike. You can just run around and throw snow at each other, or you can form teams. You could even build snow forts and illuminate them with tiki torches left over from the summer. Remind everyone not to pack the snow too tightly; you do not want anybody to get hurt.
Another activity that is fun for all ages is to build a snowman. Depending on the size of your group, you could build an entire snow family, or construct animals. A snow caterpillar is easy to build, and you can be fairly certain that you have the only one on the block. Roll six to ten balls to about a foot in diameter, and line them up next to each other. Then roll two smaller balls, one for the head and one for the tail. Sculpt the tail end to a cone lying on its side. Decorate the head with two dark rocks for eyes, and two twigs for antennae. If you want to, you can use small stones to make a mouth.
An alternative for warmer climates is a ballgame. Dodgeball, soccer, softball, and touch football can all be played in the backyard or a nearby park. If you have a hoop, you can also play basketball.
Indoor Activities
In case of inclement weather, or if you would rather stay inside, there are plenty of things to do. Play games. Charades, board games, and card or dice games are just a few of the possibilities. If you have a large group, you could hold a tournament. Make sure you play age appropriate games with younger children in your family.
Sit around the Christmas tree, tell stories, recite poems, and sing songs. Have each of the members in your group take a turn. The stories and poems can be tales of personal experiences, or things they have heard or read. If necessary, you can set a time limit for each story. When they have finished, have each storyteller choose a song for everybody to sing.
Have a cleanup party. Participants clear the table, rinse or wash the dishes, and stack them in the dishwasher, if one is available. Wiping tables and counter tops, vacuuming, and clearing wrapping paper and other debris off the floor can also be included. If everybody pitches in, the work will be done in no time at all. This is an activity that should be suggested by a guest rather than the host or hostess.
If there are no small children in your group, you might consider visiting a casino. These establishments are usually open on Christmas Day. Supply older children with quarters for the arcade. The adults can play roulette, craps, blackjack, or poker. They can also spend a few dollars at the slot machines. Other activities, such as listening to free entertainment, or having a quiet drink at the bar are offered by most casinos. Set a time and place to meet in case your group gets split up.
Whether you choose to burn off some of the calories you just consumed, or prefer the more sedate indoor activities, you will be sure to spend quality time with your family. You might even start a new family tradition.
