The winter holidays are one of the few times of the year when family members near and far have an opportunity to gather together, share stories, honor old traditions, and create new memories. While this may be a joyful time, it’s also a useful opportunity to help foster closer bonds between children and elders, which can have many long-term benefits for everyone involved.
This holiday season, invite your older family members to share their stories, memories, and life experiences. Exchanging these cherished moments helps build a stronger sense of connection and relatability between young and old while also preserving family history for future generations.
You can also create or continue holiday traditions that involve all age groups. Whether it's baking cookies, crafting handmade ornaments, or decorating the tree together, these shared activities can lead to lasting memories. (In fact, multigenerational togetherness is a big reason why BWSD hosts the annual Holiday Cookie Extravaganza for Senior Citizens at Baldwin High School. This year’s event on Friday December 15th brought lots of joy to the elders in our community!)
Speaking of cookies, food can serve as a bridge across time and place, with treasured family recipes handed down for generations. This year, consider organizing a family recipe exchange where older relatives share their favorite recipes, and even help the younger ones cook or bake together — which is also a great way to pass along some firsthand culinary tips.
If your family loves game night, a multigenerational game night can be a blast. Choose a game that can involve all ages, like a classic board game, interactive video game, trivia, or charades. Through friendly competition and shared humor, you can create a sense of camaraderie that transcends age.
Hobbies are also a great way to connect. From knitting and gardening to art and technology, encourage your family members to exchange their knowledge and skills. This helps in both directions: the teacher feels useful and appreciated, and the learner feels empowered and maybe even discovers a new pastime.
Of course, the holidays are a time for giving, and volunteering as a family can be a deeply rewarding experience. Select a cause whose mission resonates with your family’s values, and work together to create a positive impact in your community.
Having a shared sense of purpose can strengthen family bonds while teaching valuable life lessons about selflessness, humility, and respecting everyone we meet.
The holidays are a wonderful opportunity to create moments that will last in our hearts. By fostering relationships between generations, you're not just celebrating life in the present; you're also building a legacy of love, connection, and understanding.