I have MANY memories of the Lambert family—aunts, uncles, and cousins—getting together every holiday. The kids would ride bikes, play restaurant, pretend to be dogs and owners…the list of games goes on and on! Once we got a little older we joined the aunts drinking a Diet Dr Pepper and looking through the back-issues of Better Homes & Gardens my grandmother had been saving for us all to enjoy, or the uncles harvesting pecans from around the pecan trees (aka… eating the pecans!) and swapping stories. Family gatherings were full of laughing, playing, catching up on what everyone had been up to (baseball, guitars, you get it) and just enjoying being together. I am STILL relegated to the kids table (at 40) and now we’ve added a grandkids table. I definitely want to continue the legacy of togetherness with my own little family so here are a few of the ways I’m putting that into practice.
Kids Table Activities
I make sure the kids table has a craft to enjoy and a placemat or paper table runner to color on. This helps the kids laugh and interact with each other but also gives the adults a minute to enjoy their meal without having to entertain everyone or field questions! Haha! I’ve let the kids go free-form creative with crayons scattered down the centerpiece and I’ve drawn place settings at each spot that they can color in before or after the meal. It’s always funny to see what their dream meal or dream dessert might be!
Family Games
After “the big meal” is over we can spread out to nap, watch the game, or play a card game at our house. I make sure that the tables are cleared off and games are out and ready for people to start a game. We love skipbo, uno, dominoes, and canasta!
An Hour to Read
We’re a big reading family. We have quiet hour every night before bed where everyone gets a book and reads to help their body wind down. This has been a game-changer for everyone! Now we don’t go to bed READY TO PARTY, we realize that our body is tired and can let it rest! When I’m hosting I have coffee table books, kids books, and even crossword puzzles scattered around my house to give everyone a chance to create their own quiet hour. Sometimes you just need to escape for a minute to let your brain or body rest! I know many people who would enjoy a puzzle quiet hour—that’s not my preference but that could be perfect for your family or guests!
Whatever you choose to incorporate I hope you feel rested and refueled after family hosting! I know that hosting can feel stressful and even vulnerable for many. If you need help pulling together your ideas, come to the store! Katie would love to talk recipes and we’d love to help plan your table scape—for the adult and kids tables, alike! As always, if you need a quiet hour of your own, come into the store and we’ll tuck you into a corner with a cold water, a coffee table book, and some soft tunes floating through the air. Life is meant to be enjoyed—let’s enjoy it together!
