’Twas the week after Christmas and all through the house, the creatures were restless and ready to joust. Mom wants to relax and take off the edge, and not wanting to cook, they eat nary a veg. Screen time is maxed. The kids whine, “I’m bored!” What else can they do? Peace must be restored! iMOM to the rescue with ideas galore. In this week after Christmas, you need not look for more!
OK, no more rhyming, but I can’t be the only mom who has less-than-zero motivation the week between Christmas and back-to-school. Part of me says it’s fine for the kids to do nothing all day, but I also want to make the most of the end of the year and keep the Christmas cheer going. So how about we meet in the middle? Don’t go crazy and over-schedule. Leave some downtime, but pick one thing per day or maybe just two ideas for the week from this list of 10 things to make the week between Christmas and the new year memorable.
1. Make a time capsule. 
A time capsule is a fun way to wrap up a year and teach your kids patience. Have everyone in the family pick a few items to put in the “capsule” (a shoebox or jumbo Ziploc bag), fill out our free printable time capsule page, and then decide when you’re going to dig it up. Can your kids wait a whole year? If you have a new middle schooler, can they make it ’til high school? Be sure to write down where you bury or hide it.
2. Create a photo album.
It’s so much easier to take photos today than when we were kids, but the downside is that we don’t print as many. I have this fear that the cloud and Facebook will crash and burn and all of my photos of my kids will go down with them. If you fear the same, take the week after Christmas to create an album you’ve been meaning to compile. Let the kids make their own mini-albums.
3. Relax with a puzzle.
If I ask my kids if they want to do a jigsaw puzzle, they’ll turn their noses up, but without fail, if I start doing one, they are like moths to a flame. And if I’m sneaky enough, I can turn off the TV and we sit with just music on and talk while we puzzle. It’s my favorite way to spend the downtime after the holidays.
4. Get your calendars set. 
If you love checklists and organization systems, this might be as exciting as Christmas morning. Print your iMOM calendars and fill in key dates, birthdays, and vacations. Just getting some dates recorded will help you feel like you’ve accomplished something in this lazy week after Christmas.
5. Meal prep.
This is another great way to scratch that productivity itch. While you have some downtime, make some meals you can freeze and eat later. Make a big pot of soup or chili, a casserole, or your family’s favorite freezer fixing. You might remember how much you love cooking when you’re not having to whip out a meal in 10 minutes.
6. Get physical.
Chances are, after a full week (or five) of indulging, your body may want to sit still, but once you start moving, it will thank you. Take the kids on a walk around a park. If it’s too chilly outside, grab some glow sticks, turn off the lights, blast Christmas music, and have a Christmas dance party.
7. Keep Christmas going.
Some faith traditions and cultures don’t start celebrating Christmas until Christmas day because for them, that’s when the Christmas season begins. You might be sick of red and green by December 26th, but if you want to try to maintain the merry for a bit longer, leave your tree up, bake some Christmas cookies, and even do a small gift exchange within your family. The 12 days of Christmas could become your favorite new family tradition!
8. Hit the sales.
The day or week after Christmas is the ideal time to find some great sales. So if you or your children received Christmas cash, you can make it stretch today—especially if you use this Ask Why Before You Buy Printable.
9. Embrace winter.
The season of winter gets overlooked because of Christmas. Once we take Christmas decorations down, many of us just sit and wait for spring to arrive. This year, get outside and play in the cold. If it’s too unbearable, stay inside and make paper snowflakes.
10. Volunteer together.
Sometimes, Christmas gifts bring out spoiled attitudes or a sense of entitlement in our kids. Volunteering is a great way to bring your kids back to reality. If you can’t find somewhere that needs your help right away, talk it over as a family and decide what organization you want to give your time to, and sign up to help in the new year.
What do you do the day or week after Christmas?
