There are so many ways to have fun during the holidays. From hayrides in fall to watching the Nutcracker ballet in winter, there are plenty of opportunities to make the season fun. One fun option is choosing a theme and building the entire holiday around it.

Choosing a theme is fun because it creates a focal point for all the activities and experiences for the season. It can be a great way to plan the decor, events, and other elements of your holidays.

Here are some fun ways to use themes during the holidays:

Happy Holidays in the Forest theme – Choose a forest theme for a fun-filled holiday season. Start off with woodland decor for fall and winter. Have fun with your family taking a trip to the woods for collecting pinecones in the fall and going snowshoeing in the winter. Choose a fun animal like a bear or a deer as the mascot for the season and build decor or other design elements around the theme. Host a festive feast fit for the forest for your holiday meals and enjoy the great outdoors… inside or out.

‘Tis the Season for Giving theme- Create a holiday season focused on giving back and caring for others. Have your family choose a charity to focus on for the season. Save change to offer when you see a bell ringer and red bucket. Find opportunities to serve or volunteer. Choose people to support from the Angel Tree Network. Host friends who don’t have close family for a meal and use the holiday time to reach out to people who may not have connections with family.

Baby it’s Cold Outside theme- Have fun with a Winter Wonderland theme. Host a hot chocolate get-together with a variety of warm beverages and toppings. Choose outdoor activities like ice skating, sledding, skiing, or snowmobiles that all share one thing in common – they are cold! Get the family involved with holiday decorating that is white, silver, blue, or other icy-inspired colors.

Having a theme can help give the holidays a fun focus and make the season about one thing in particular. This can help reduce being pulled in too many directions because your attention is on the activities associated with your theme. What’s more, having a theme can actually make the holidays more memorable. Your family is sure to remember the year you had a specific theme for your entire holiday season and the memories will last for years to come.

Today’s Assignment: Brainstorm some fun theme ideas and choose one if you think a holiday theme is a fun idea. Get creative. Even if you don’t end up using a theme this year, it’s still fun to think up some options.