6 Ways to Spend Time With Your Loved Ones Over the Holidays

The holidays isn’t all about presents—they’re also about being present. Time spent is a love-language we often forget to use, and it’s important during this busy time of year to take a step back and remember that time might just be the most valuable gift of all. To help you shift focus from what you give to how you give it, we’ve compiled a list of our six favorite ways to spend time together this holiday season. 

1. Cook up a meal together

This classic pastime is an oldie but a goodie. If you’ve got young ones around, we love this no-bake cookie recipe to keep little hands just as safe as they are occupied. If you’ve got older kids at home, or you’re planning an adults-only time, you might be able to up-the-ante and take a local cooking class. The Culinary Center of Kansas City, located on Overland Park, offers a wide array of classes for various age groups, experience levels, and price points. And if your group is all 21 or older, you can even take a cocktail class at Lifted Spirits Distillery or Julep KC.  

2. Snag tickets to a show

Kansas City is chock-full of arts and culture any time of year, but December is extra special. For over 39 years, the KC Repertory Theater has poured its heart into A Christmas Carol. This classic runs from mid-November through the end of December and is sure to delight the whole family. And if ballet feels a little more your speed, consider attending The Nutcracker, a dazzling show put together by the Kansas City Ballet year after year. You can find tickets throughout the month of December. 

3. Go ice skating at Crown Center

Any true Kansas-Citian is well-aware of the seasonal Ice Terrace at Crown Center. Open November through mid-March, this is an affordable all-ages trip sure to please the whole family. Complete with festive lights and fun music, it’s impossible not to smile during your trip around the rink. Plus, the terrace offers two-for-one-Tuesdays! After 5 p.m., one full-price admission gets you a second one free. While you’re in the area, you can check out Crown Center’s sky-scraping tree, or take advantage of the other family-friendly activities nearby. 

4. Take a stroll through the Plaza lights

Don’t miss this 90-year tradition! Grab a hot chocolate and hit the town with a lovely stroll through the Plaza lights. Each year after Thanksgiving day, the Plaza is set ablaze with breath-taking festive decor. Enjoy 15 blocks of glimmering lights from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. until mid-January. And if it’s too chilly to sit outside, consider grabbing a seat on Café Trio’s heated indoor patio—it’s perfectly designed to keep you cozy while you enjoy the view. Just be sure to make a reservation as it tends to get a little crowded this time of year. 

5. Take a trip down memory lane

No need to leave home to have a good time. Pull out all of your tucked-away old photographs, art projects, and memorabilia and gather ‘round. Give your friends and family a chance to reminisce about their favorite memories, embarrassing moments, and forgotten treasures with this fun activity. And if you want to go the extra mile, or just go digital, you can create a simple slideshow full of surprises. Surround yourselves with some snacks and drinks to make your evening all the merrier. 

6. Give back

When the weather is at its harshest in Kansas City, hundreds must go without a home. Care kits for the homeless can go a long way in helping the most vulnerable population survive the winter. Some of the most needed items include socks, gloves, hats, chapstick, lotion, hand wipes, soft granola bars, and feminine hygiene products. Consider getting together and building your own care kits to give away or donate. You can find a list of local homeless shelters here, or you can consider other ways to donate your time. 

Regardless of how you choose to spend your time together this year, remember to be present and enjoy the moment. The Solaris Massage family wishes you the happiest of holidays!