5 Ways to Experience the Holidays Differently

The holiday season is a magical time filled with excitement and anticipation as families prepare for special moments with their loved ones.

Traditions rich with meaning, such as baking great-grandma’s gingerbread cake, are enjoyed. Families also enjoy starting their own traditions, such as creating whimsical gingerbread houses decorated with colorful gum drops and tinted icing that the kids help decorate.

Regardless of how you’ve celebrated in the past, it’s always fun and refreshing to shake things up and try new experiences.

Whatever you choose to do, see if you can do it together as a family.

Before you get swept away with the holiday rush, here are five festive ways you can experience the season in a whole new light.

5 New Experiences to Enjoy During the Holidays

1. Try a New Ethnic Dish or Restaurant
2. Attend a Community Event
3. Bake New Recipes
4. Volunteer Together
5. Get Crafty with Snowflakes

Here they are in closer detail.

1. Try a New Ethnic Dish or Restaurant

One of the best parts of the holiday season is indulging in all the delicious treats and goodies that surround us. Pick one of the days or evenings you’re out Christmas shopping or running holiday errands to try a new restaurant, one that showcases a culture you’ve never tried before. If you love Chinese food, try a Thai place or a Japanese steakhouse instead. Get recommendations from friends and co-workers.

If cooking is your passion, whip up a culinary delight from Germany or France and dim all the lights except the Christmas tree and enjoy the serene ambience as well.

2. Attend a Community Event

Whether you live in the heart of a beautiful city or live in a quaint country town, during the holiday season your community probably offers a variety of entertainment. Tree lightings, local plays, a taste of the town where restaurants and bars come together to offer samples of their signature beverages and dishes, book signings at your library, art shows at nearby galleries, winter concerts at schools or churches, or even outdoor winter festivals with ice skating and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Check your chamber of commerce or town paper for a list of fun and festive attractions that you can enjoy in your own backyard.

3. Bake New Recipes

No matter the winter holiday that you and your family celebrate, grab your mixing bowl and favorite cookbook or online food site and choose some delicious new recipes to bake. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. If you...

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