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  • Fiona Royer

    Fiona Royer lives in Lincoln Park with her husband, Randall, and their three young children. Originally from the U.K. with a business and creative background, she now works in the Chicago philanthropic community. She believes that giving is the key to a fulfilling life.

    How to create winter family traditions

    We’ve learned to embrace the change of season — not resist it

    “A season of shivers” is the prediction from the Old Farmer’s Almanac. In Chicago we’ve been bracing ourselves. These are some of the winter traditions that our family looks forward to, as we countdown to warmer times.

    10. Bundle Up And Get OutsideWhat else can you do?
    Build a custom snowman and challenge each other to a (gentle) snowball fight
    Project a (short!) holiday movie outside
    Go sledding on the nearest hill

    9. Enjoy Decorations GaloreA little magic is essential
    Pick out a tree to decorate together
    Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo's festive ZooLights
    Take a pajama car tour of the decorations downtown

    8. Reach Out to FriendsRemember who’s important
    Send paper cards with handwritten messages
    Plan holiday socials (recently held outdoors or virtually)
    Facetime or Zoom with family far away

    [Related: How to survive a Chicago winter with kids]

    7. Undertake A Giving Project Truly embrace the meaning of the season
    Deliver food in person
    Make bedazzled cards with heartfelt messages
    Fulfill holiday wishes

    6. Make And Eat Special FoodsEnjoy the delicious
    Bake family cookie and shortbread recipes
    Create a (truly unique!) gingerbread house
    Indulge in a home hot chocolate bar (with current favorite: unicorn poop marshmallows!)

    5. Meld Our Cultures…while exploring others
    Invite our American Elf on the Shelf to come out on December 1st
    Pull English crackers to reveal paper hats and silly jokes
    Recognize and learn about other cultural holidays through crafts and stories

    4. Respect Family TraditionsTake the best of the past
    Play together as a family, raiding the games closet
    Lay an extra place setting on feast days, to welcome unexpected guests
    Walk off over-eating on Boxing Day (December 26th) and be at one with nature

    3. Connect With Santa — Socially distant, of course
    Send a letter to Santa (one that generates a return!)
    Wave to the CTA Holiday Train
    Enjoy a meet-and-greet with Mr. Claus (most recently virtually, with fabulous video recording)

    [Related: Holiday activities in Chicago for special-needs kids]

    2. Cozy Up InsideEmbrace hygge season
    Watch any version of The Grinch during movie nights with homemade popcorn (on repeat!)
    Gorge ourselves on s’mores around the fireplace
    Visit the Art Institute, the Museum of Science and Industry's holiday exhibit, or a family-friendly installation — all warm and indoors!

    1. Welcome The New Year — Celebrate a fresh start
    Make our own party poppers (with toilet rolls, balloons and confetti)
    Take in the London fireworks live (conveniently at 6 p.m. CST)
    Create New Year Intentions collages to pin up and refer to during the year ahead

    Despite the bitter temperatures, there are plenty of activities to do during a Chicago winter. By the time of the first snow fall, our family is ready for our annual winter activities. Over the years we’ve come to realize that you just need to embrace the change of season, not resist it!



    Fiona Royer

    Fiona Royer lives in Lincoln Park with her husband, Randall, and their three young children. Originally from the U.K. with a business and creative background, she now works in the Chicago philanthropic community. She believes that giving is the key to a fulfilling life.


    Photo by cottonbro from Pexels



    Edited by NPN Lauren


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