Simple activities to get to know your friends and family a little better this Christmas
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It is almost here, the time of year that you see friends and family and catch up on each other’s lives. It is so good to see everyone and find out how they are and what they have been doing, but what if you could find out more about who they are?
These ideas are about sharing parts of you that you usually keep hidden. Not big parts, or life-changing news, but the chance to let your people know you in a fun and casual way.
These require a little thought ahead of time and maybe a bit of extra shopping, but are oh-so-fun!
Ornament exchange with a twist
Purchase a Christmas ornament that speaks to you. Once you have purchased your ornament DO NOT TELL ANYONE WHAT IT IS, this will stay a secret. Bring it unwrapped but hidden to the gathering. Have everyone bring their own ornament. I recommend planning some time to shop or browse the internet by yourself with no distractions so you can get the perfect one. Maybe it is a character from your favorite movie, a replica of a particular car you had, or just something pretty that draws you in. Pick something that represents you, that you can tell a story about that others would not necessarily know. It might go something like this: (I chose a replica of a book ornament) I chose this ornament because writing is something I love to do and I want to write a novel someday. Elaborate as much as you’d like.
Use a small Christmas tree, ornament display rack or some other means to display the ornaments so everyone can see them, but do not disclose who brought which ornament.
When it is time, gather everyone around the ornament display. You can just take turns or assign numbers to see what order to go in.
The idea is that you will select an ornament from the display that means something to you (not the one you brought) and tell why it has meaning to you. Once you have done this the person who brought the ornament will reveal themselves and explain what it represents to them. It is super interesting to hear about why the ornament was chosen by those two people and you will be surprised at how different the reasons can be. You may get to know a little something about the people around you that you wouldn’t have known otherwise. Each person gets to keep the ornament they picked.
Write down a memory you have and share why it is one of your favorites.
Give some thought to a particular memory you have and tell the others why it is so special. Speak about it as if you are telling a story to make it as interesting as possible.
Oral photo essay
Bring a photo that represents something to you. It could be an actual photo, a postcard, or something printed from the internet. Talk about why it is meaningful to you and why you picked that photo.
A variation of this is to put the photos in a basket anonymously. Then take turns drawing a photo from the basket without looking at it beforehand and try to guess who brought it. Once you have guessed who it belongs to, the actual person will reveal themselves and explain what it means to them.
A cause to believe in
Gather in a group and take turns naming a cause you believe in or an organization you donate to and explaining why you are passionate about that cause. You can learn so much about each other this way and see what you do or don’t have in common.
I hope your Christmas gathering is truly wonderful, leaving you with a deep sense of connection and a greater understanding of the people you love.