TRADITION: THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE AND HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Holiday activities with the family over the break are special traditions that often span generations and become core memories… like attending the Thanksgiving Day Parade — this year is 105! — or the whimsical Christmas Village at Love Park, or even the lights at the Zoo… one tip we’ve discovered, especially with unpredictable weather for all these amazing outdoor adventures, is the need for waterproof yet stylish shoes and boots. With Vessi, the whole family can soak in the fun, not slosh around letting the elements literally “rain on our parade.”
The bestselling Weekend Sneaker feels more like wearing a sock than a traditional shoe and don’t need a break-in period, so your feet won’t blister or chaf. These are perfect for running around town in the rain and if you’re headed to colder conditions, or as the temps drop, Vessi’s Alta High Top is a cozy winter boot with a warm fleece lining. It’s been updated for a better fit and a more tailored feel and designed to keep your footing even in slushy conditions.
Or opt for the Weekend Chelsea that is a combo of both. This cool weather staple combines the comfort of a sneaker with the coverage and warmth of a boot. Plus don’t forget the kids! The entire family can stay dry for any upcoming adventure.
TRADITION: SPENDING TIME TOGETHER
With kids off from school for the week, it’s welcomed time together, so crafts and games are a must. We love board games and older kids get into the multi-player video games but we found this great art activity from Crayola Washable Paint Pendulum, that everyone, at any age can do together. It’s easy to set up, use — all the paint is washable — and the price point is super budget-friendly. Plus, if you need time to cook, or visit with adult relatives, kids and sibling can do this together.
Our kids enjoyed mixing the paint to create colors and spinning the pendulum to create fun designs. We love that it is all contained in an arena-style creative zone, which keeps the washable paint all in one area. And yes, it is washable paint! A fun idea is to have the kids create Christmas cards or gift tags using their Crayola Paint Pendulum. We love seeing the kids get creative with their cousins or friends too.
TRADITION: FAMILY FAVORITE DISHES AND RECIPES
Oftentimes you can see tradition spread out all over the table… whether it’s great grandma’s pie recipe or new side dish to try, history comes out through all the flavors of the Thanksgiving feast. For many making tamales over the holidays is a big tradition and we found these amazing Melissa’s Tamale Kits that make the process so easy, and fun!
Each Melissa’s Tamale Kit contains the essentials you need to make homemade tamales: large parchment paper “corn husks” that are easy to fill and fold, ready-to-use, vegan, cornmeal masa, and easy-to-follow instructions. Simply fill with your favorite sweet or savory filling and steam for 45 minutes!
Plus you’re usually hosting, or with family for more than one day over the break, so putting together a grazing board is a simple and delicious solution too. And don’t forget all the ingredients for your side dishes, desserts and events all season long. You can shop Melissa’s at your local grocery store or online at Melissas.com.
TRADITION: FAMILY MATCHING
With all the traditions mentioned from activities to togetherness, many think about family photos, putting together their holiday card, and of course, family matching! Board the Polar Express, put syrup on your spaghetti with Elf or sing with Whoville… if you’re wearing themed pajamas or sweaters Hanna Andersson is our favorite.
Everything is just more fun when the family is matching. This trend has topped the list for the past several years so we know you’re going to do it… but elevate it by picking pajamas that are the theme of your favorite movie. Like dress everyone in ELF-inspired print or the Polar Express and have the entire family in the whimsical locomotives and believe bells. Star Wars, The Grinch...Hanna Andersson has all these characters and more, plus festive plaids and holiday sweaters too. Hanna Andersson is our go to for family matching pajamas. From Gnomes and Deers,Stripes and even your favorite characters, we love Hanna Andersson pajamas because not only can the entire family match, but the quality makes them easy to pass down to siblings and cousins. The premium organic cotton makes them so soft that we just want to wear them all day.
